Ozaukee, Sheboygan
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Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
Sucker Creek is the second largest stream in this watershed and originates just in Sheboygan County just north of the Ozaukee County line. Sucker Creek flows south (into Ozaukee County) along the I43 corridor past Lake Church, entering Lake Michigan north of the City of Port Washington. Fourteen species of fish, primarily consisting of forage fish species have been historically collected in Sauk Creek (Fago 1986). Trout and salmon from Lake Michigan are also found in the stream during their seasonal spawning runs. Recent fish and habitat surveys were conducted in Sucker Creek during the summers of 1994 and 1999.
Habitat quality, HBI and IBI data were also collected for Sucker Creek. Water quality and habitat rankings ranged from fair to poor.
From: Galarneau, Steve and Masterson, John. 1999. Water Resources of the Sheboygan River Basin. Supplement to The State of the Sheboygan River Basin. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.
Date 2001
Author Aquatic Biologist
Historical Description
Sucker Creek is a small, shallow drainage stream originating above Lake Church and entering Lake Michigan above Port Washington, Several intermittent streams enter the creek throughout its length. Fishery value is low with only forage minnows and suckers present. Pollution from barnyards and other sources detracts from its value. The bottom is predominantly gravel which is covered with silt in the lower regions.
Sucker Creek T11N, R22E, Section 14, Surface Acres = 6.25, Length = 8.6 miles, Gradient = 10.44 feet per mile.
From: Poff, Ronald J., Gernay, Ronald, and Threinen, C.W., 1964. Surface Water Resources of Ozaukee County: Lake and Stream Classification Project. Wisconsin Conservation Department, Madison, WI.
Date 1964
Author Aquatic Biologist
Impaired Waters
Sucker Creek (50100) was placed on the impaired waters list for total phosphorus in 2012. The 2016 assessments showed continued impairment by phosphorus; total phosphorus sample data exceed 2016 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use and biological impairment was observed (i.e. at least one macroinvertebrate or fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scored in the poor condition category). This water was also assessed for temperature and sample data did not exceed 2016 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use. Based on the most updated information, no change in existing impaired waters listing is needed.
Date 2015
Author Aaron Larson
Condition
Wisconsin has over 84,000 miles of streams, 15,000 lakes and milllions of acres of wetlands. Assessing the condition of this vast amount of water is challenging. The state's water monitoring program uses a media-based, cross-program approach to analyze water condition. An updated monitoring strategy (2015-2020) is now available. Compliance with Clean Water Act fishable, swimmable standards are located in the Executive Summary of Water Condition in 2018. See also the 'monitoring and projects' tab.
Reports
Recommendations
Citizen-Based Stream Monitoring
Collect chemical, physical, and/or biological water quality data to assess the current overall stream health. The data can inform management decisions and may be used to identify impaired waters for biennial lists.
Citizen-Based Stream Monitoring
Collect chemical, physical, and/or biological water quality data to assess the current overall stream health. The data can inform management decisions and may be used to identify impaired waters for biennial lists.
Citizen-Based Stream Monitoring
Collect chemical, physical, and/or biological water quality data to assess the current overall stream health. The data can inform management decisions and may be used to identify impaired waters for biennial lists.
Data analysis, report production
The planning process and final report will include: 1) Baseline assessments- assess existing condition, native flora and fauna, current public utilization and riverbank structure 2) Public information sessions- listening sessions to gather ideas feedback and comments on the restoration 3) Site planning- Trail connections, recreational facility and public access points, vegetation restoration and invasive species control, shoreland stabilization and runoff reduction, site grading create opportunities to create diverse high quality native vegetation and habitat.
Water Quality Planning
Sauk and Sucker Creeks (SH01) Watershed Planning
Runoff Grant
Sauk and Sucker Creeks Watershed should continue to be considered as a high priority for runoff and urban NPS grants and river grants based on the total phosphorus impairments and related urbanization issues.
Best Management Practices, Implement
DNR should continue to work with partners to gather ambient data on sediment, biology and phosphorus to monitor the effectiveness of best management practices as they are implemented throughout the watershed for the restoration of Sucker Creek (50100).
Restore Riparian Habitat
Fisheries and water quality staff should continue to work with external partners on habitat improvement projects on Sucker Creek.
Management Goals
Wisconsin's Water Quality Standards provide qualitative and quantitative goals for waters that are protective of Fishable, Swimmable conditions [Learn more]. Waters that do not meet water quality standards are considered impaired and restoration actions are planned and carried out until the water is once again fishable and swimmable
Management goals can include creation or implementation of a Total Maximum Daily Load analysis, a Nine Key Element Plan, or other restoration work, education and outreach and more. If specific recommendations exist for this water, they will be displayed below online.
Monitoring
Monitoring the condition of a river, stream, or lake includes gathering physical, chemical, biological, and habitat data. Comprehensive studies often gather all these parameters in great detail, while lighter assessment events will involve sampling physical, chemical and biological data such as macroinvertebrates. Aquatic macroinvertebrates and fish communities integrate watershed or catchment condition, providing great insight into overall ecosystem health. Chemical and habitat parameters tell researchers more about human induced problems including contaminated runoff, point source dischargers, or habitat issues that foster or limit the potential of aquatic communities to thrive in a given area. Wisconsin's Water Monitoring Strategy was recenty updated.
Grants and Management Projects
Monitoring Projects
WBIC | Official Waterbody Name | Station ID | Station Name | Earliest Fieldwork Date | Latest Fieldwork Date | View Station | View Data |
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50100 | Sucker Creek | 10031777 | Sucker Creek - 10 meters upstream of Sandy Beach Road | 11/9/2010 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
50100 | Sucker Creek | 10016438 | Sucker Creek - Downstream Of Lake Drive | 5/12/1980 | 6/3/1994 | Map | Data |
50100 | Sucker Creek | 10030656 | Sucker Creek - Sucker Brook Lane | 10/20/2009 | 11/13/2019 | Map | Data |
50100 | Sucker Creek | 10031615 | Sucker Creek at Pebble Beach Rd | 7/16/2010 | 9/16/2011 | Map | Data |
50100 | Sucker Creek | 10031946 | Sucker Creek - Upstream of Silver Beach Road | 11/9/2010 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
50100 | Sucker Creek | 10031616 | Sucker Creek at CTH D | 7/16/2010 | 8/15/2011 | Map | Data |
50100 | Sucker Creek | 463072 | Sucker Creek at Lake Dr (Bi Sur) | | | Map | Data |
50100 | Sucker Creek | 463071 | Sucker Creek US Cedar Beach Rd | 5/12/1980 | 8/8/2018 | Map | Data |
50100 | Sucker Creek | 10031617 | Sucker Creek at High Point Beach Rd | 7/16/2010 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
50100 | Sucker Creek | 10008224 | Sucker Creek - Sucker Creek | 10/20/1999 | 10/20/1999 | Map | Data |
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Watershed Characteristics
Sucker Creek is located in the Sauk and Sucker Creeks watershed which is 58.43 miĀ². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (60.90%), grassland (17.50%) and a mix of suburban (6.80%) and other uses (14.80%). This watershed has 83.35 stream miles, 8,362.44 lake acres and 1,578.16 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked High for runoff impacts on streams, Medium for runoff impacts on lakes and High for runoff impacts on groundwater and therefore has an overall rank of High. This value can be used in ranking the watershed or individual waterbodies for grant funding under state and county programs.However, all waters are affected by diffuse pollutant sources regardless of initial water quality. Applications for specific runoff projects under state or county grant programs may be pursued. For more information, go to surface water program grants.