Watershed - Duck Creek and Rocky Run (LW20)
Duck Creek and Rocky Run Watershed

Details

The Duck Creek and Rocky Run watershed lies in west-central Columbia County. This watershed is in the glaciated portion of the basin. Stream gradients are generally not as steep in this watershed as in those within the unglaciated region. Agriculture predominates, with dairying and cash cropping as the primary activities. Wetlands are the second most common land cover in the watershed and there are some large wetland complexes, particularly near Duck Creek and its tributaries. Other major land cover in the watershed include grassland and broad-leaf deciduous forest. There are numerous muck farms on streams in the watershed. The ditching and draining of wetlands to create muck farms significantly impacts the habitat and water quality of surface waters. These farms not only modify the hydrologic regime in a stream, but they contribute large volumes of nutrients and sediments to streams. Overall, the watershed has been ranked as a medium priority for nonpoint source pollution.

Date  2002

Population, Land Use

Overall population in the watershed for 2000 was estimated to be around 6,800 people. There are no large municipalities in the watershed. Overall, population growth is slight with the exception of the village of Rio, which experienced a 22% increase in population through the 1990's.

Date  2002

Nonpoint and Point Sources

The Cambria, Rio and Wyocena municipal wastewater facilities discharge to the North Branch Duck Creek, a tributary to Rocky Run and the groundwater, respectively. Six industrial facilities have a permit to discharge to several streams including; Duck Creek, the North Branch Duck Creek, the Wisconsin River, and Rocky Run. Three of these facilities also have a permit to discharge to groundwater. Most of these industrial facilities are food processing companies.

Date  2002

Ecological Landscapes for Duck Creek and Rocky Run Watershed

Ecological Landscapes

The Duck Creek and Rocky Run Watershed is primarily located within the Central Sand Hills Ecological Landscape which is located in central Wisconsin at the eastern edge of what was once Glacial Lake Wisconsin. The landforms in this Ecological Landscape are a series of glacial moraines that were later partially covered by glacial outwash. The area is characterized by a mixture of farmland, woodlots, wetlands, small kettle lakes, and cold water streams, all on sandy soils. The mosaic of glacial moraine and pitted outwash throughout this Ecological Landscape has given rise to extensive wetlands in the outwash areas, and the headwaters of coldwater streams that originate in glacial moraines. The growing season is long enough for agriculture but the sandy soils limit agricultural productivity somewhat. Historic upland vegetation consisted of oak-forest, oak savanna, and tallgrass prairie. Fens were common in this Ecological Landscape and occurred along with wet-mesic prairie, wet prairie, and rare coastal plain marshes. Current vegetation is composed of more than one-third agricultural crops, and almost 20% grasslands with smaller amounts of open wetland, open water, shrubs, barren, and urban areas. The major forested type is oak-hickory, with smaller amounts of white-red-jack pine, maple-basswood, lowland hardwoods, aspen-birch, and spruce-fir. The Duck Creek and Rocky Run Watershed has a variety of good quality habitats and rare plant communities that are listed on the state's Natural Heritage Inventory, (NHI), kept by the Bureau of Endangered Resources. These communities include: dry prairie, dry-mesic prairie, oak barrens, calcareous fen, emergent aquatic, floodplain forest, wet prairie, shrub-carr, southern sedge meadow, springs and spring runs, hard, and stream, fast, soft and warm.

Date  2002

Recreational Opportunities

There are numerous public wildlife and recreation areas in the watershed. The Peter Helland Wildlife Area is 2,997 acres and offers birdwatching, berry picking and canoeing. The Rocky Run Creek Fishery Area is 710 acres and is used for trout fishing and birdwatching. The 2,139 acre Mud Lake Wildlife Area contains prairie potholes, marsh, forest and grassland and is a good spot for canoeing and birdwatching. The Duck Creek Public Hunting Grounds is 159 acres and can also provide opportunities for birdwatching and hiking. The Jennings Creek Wildlife Area 530 acre area is good for trout fishing while the 695 acre Grassy Lake Wildlife Area is great for birdwatching and berry picking.

Date  2002

Wildlife and Habitat

The watershed is also home for a variety of rare plant and animal species including; 1 species of beetle, 4 species of birds, 2 species of butterflies, 4 species of dragonflies, 9 species of fish, 2 species of mayflies, 4 species of mussels, 13 plant species, 1 species of mammal and 1 species of lizard. These plants and animals are also listed on the state's Natural Heritage Inventory (NHI).

Date  2002

Watershed Documents
Watershed Grants
Grant Details
Lake Protection Grant
Date
5/25/1995
Waters Involved
Lake Wisconsin
Status
Complete

Town Of Lodi: Acq-Lake Wisconsin Okee Community Park Land Acquisition: The Town of Lodi proposes to acquire 8.5 acres of land in the Okee Bay area of Lake Wisconsin for recreational opportunities and lake protection. Eligible costs include acquisition of the parcel, appraisal fee and preparation of an environmental assessment.


Grant Details
Lake Protection Grant
Date
9/1/2008
Waters Involved
Park Lake
Status
Complete

Columbia County: Lmi-Tmdl Development-Phase Ii-Park Lake: Columbia County Land and Water Conservation Department will conduct phase 2 of its TMDL development program for Park Lake. This phase will focus on continued monitoring along with the use of a graduate student to conduct water quality modeling to allow for final development of a TMDL for Park Lake, a 303(d) listed lake. The objectives of this study are to quantify P export from the watershed, and link water quality with nutrient loss from the land. Project deliverables include 1) monitoring of wetland effectiveness by measuring upstream and downstream flow and concentration; 2) Field-scale Snap-Plus and watershed-scale modeling; 3) simulating water quality changes caused by wetlands in this watershed using Army Corp PRE-WET model; 4) continuation of water quality monitoring/data collection along with targeting water sample collection adjacent to wetlands; 5) information/education efforts throughout project; and 6) compilation, documentation, and recommendations of findings. Education efforts include a news release, providing updates and final presentation through regular and annual meetings of the Lake District.


Grant Details
Large Scale Lake Planning
Date
4/1/2010
Waters Involved
Castle Rock Ditch
Status
Complete

Lake Alice Association, Inc: Lake Alice Stewardship Program Phase Ii - Understanding The Biota Of Lake Alice: Lake Alice Association is sponsoring phased large scale lake planning grants to study Lake Alice, in Lincoln County. The project will focus on developing and updating an Adaptive Lake Management Plan (LMP) for Lake Alice. Phase 2 was funded in this grant cycle and Phases 3-5 will be submitted for funding starting in 2011.

Project activities for Phase 2 include: 1) Educational program, meetings and educational events with lake association and Tomahawk High School students, written educational materials, news releases, and website updates; 2) Point-intercept (PI) aquatic plant survey; 3) Aquatic plant community and substrate mapping; 4) Water quality assessment; 5) Volunteer amphibian monitoring and angler survey; 6) Update LMP.

Project deliverables include: 1) Educational materials and news releases; 2) Aquatic plant community and substrate maps; 3) PI, water quality, amphibian, and angler data; 4) LMP.

Specific conditions for this project: LMP needs Dept review and approval

WDNR Lakes Management Coordinator will be provided with an electronic (pdf or word) and hard copy of LMP, news releases, any other educational materials/products, all data, all maps from project, and all GIS data.


Grant Details
Large Scale Lake Planning
Date
4/1/2010
Waters Involved
Cruson Slough
Status
Complete

Lake Alice Association, Inc: Lake Alice Stewardship Program Phase Ii - Understanding The Biota Of Lake Alice: Lake Alice Association is sponsoring phased large scale lake planning grants to study Lake Alice, in Lincoln County. The project will focus on developing and updating an Adaptive Lake Management Plan (LMP) for Lake Alice. Phase 2 was funded in this grant cycle and Phases 3-5 will be submitted for funding starting in 2011.

Project activities for Phase 2 include: 1) Educational program, meetings and educational events with lake association and Tomahawk High School students, written educational materials, news releases, and website updates; 2) Point-intercept (PI) aquatic plant survey; 3) Aquatic plant community and substrate mapping; 4) Water quality assessment; 5) Volunteer amphibian monitoring and angler survey; 6) Update LMP.

Project deliverables include: 1) Educational materials and news releases; 2) Aquatic plant community and substrate maps; 3) PI, water quality, amphibian, and angler data; 4) LMP.

Specific conditions for this project: LMP needs Dept review and approval

WDNR Lakes Management Coordinator will be provided with an electronic (pdf or word) and hard copy of LMP, news releases, any other educational materials/products, all data, all maps from project, and all GIS data.


Grant Details
Large Scale Lake Planning
Date
4/1/2010
Waters Involved
Lake Du Bay
Status
Complete

Lake Alice Association, Inc: Lake Alice Stewardship Program Phase Ii - Understanding The Biota Of Lake Alice: Lake Alice Association is sponsoring phased large scale lake planning grants to study Lake Alice, in Lincoln County. The project will focus on developing and updating an Adaptive Lake Management Plan (LMP) for Lake Alice. Phase 2 was funded in this grant cycle and Phases 3-5 will be submitted for funding starting in 2011.

Project activities for Phase 2 include: 1) Educational program, meetings and educational events with lake association and Tomahawk High School students, written educational materials, news releases, and website updates; 2) Point-intercept (PI) aquatic plant survey; 3) Aquatic plant community and substrate mapping; 4) Water quality assessment; 5) Volunteer amphibian monitoring and angler survey; 6) Update LMP.

Project deliverables include: 1) Educational materials and news releases; 2) Aquatic plant community and substrate maps; 3) PI, water quality, amphibian, and angler data; 4) LMP.

Specific conditions for this project: LMP needs Dept review and approval

WDNR Lakes Management Coordinator will be provided with an electronic (pdf or word) and hard copy of LMP, news releases, any other educational materials/products, all data, all maps from project, and all GIS data.


Grant Details
Large Scale Lake Planning
Date
4/1/2010
Waters Involved
Little Pine Creek
Status
Complete

Lake Alice Association, Inc: Lake Alice Stewardship Program Phase Ii - Understanding The Biota Of Lake Alice: Lake Alice Association is sponsoring phased large scale lake planning grants to study Lake Alice, in Lincoln County. The project will focus on developing and updating an Adaptive Lake Management Plan (LMP) for Lake Alice. Phase 2 was funded in this grant cycle and Phases 3-5 will be submitted for funding starting in 2011.

Project activities for Phase 2 include: 1) Educational program, meetings and educational events with lake association and Tomahawk High School students, written educational materials, news releases, and website updates; 2) Point-intercept (PI) aquatic plant survey; 3) Aquatic plant community and substrate mapping; 4) Water quality assessment; 5) Volunteer amphibian monitoring and angler survey; 6) Update LMP.

Project deliverables include: 1) Educational materials and news releases; 2) Aquatic plant community and substrate maps; 3) PI, water quality, amphibian, and angler data; 4) LMP.

Specific conditions for this project: LMP needs Dept review and approval

WDNR Lakes Management Coordinator will be provided with an electronic (pdf or word) and hard copy of LMP, news releases, any other educational materials/products, all data, all maps from project, and all GIS data.


Grant Details
Large Scale Lake Planning
Date
10/1/2005
Waters Involved
North Branch Duck Creek
Status
Complete

Village Of Cambria: Tarrant Lake Watershed Impact Inventory: Watershed inventory including identification of high sources of nutrients, needed BMP's and working with landowners to find programs and funds to control upland sediment sources.


Grant Details
Large Scale Lake Planning
Date
10/1/2007
Waters Involved
North Branch Duck Creek
Status
Complete

Columbia County: Tarrant Lake Mgmt Plan Development: Columbia County proposes to develop a lake management plan for Tarrant Lake. The plan will be created with significant public input, and contain feasible objectives and goals. The final report will be submitted on paper and electronic copies, and include all raw data. Project results will be shared via public meetings, with a final presentation upon completion of project. The following is a complete list of deliverables: A1) Completes a comprehensive lake management plan. A2) Identifies and prioritizes lake management needs and sets goals. A3) Provides specific lake water quality management objectives (resource desired conditions in TSI). A4) Provides specific objectives for watershed or land use management (identify critical sites). A5) Provides specific management objectives for fish habitat. A6) Provides a specific sociological management objective (education). B2) Develops a comprehensive assessment of fish, aquatic life or wildlife habitat with management recommendations (aquatic plant management plan, shoreland restoration plan). B3) Information will be used in development of a shoreland restoration and protection program. C3) Inventory and review in detail the adequacy of institutional programs effecting lake quality. C4) Develops a comprehensive assessment and management strategy for watershed pollution source(s). Partition actual load(s) by subwatershed or source(s),conducts a loading reduction feasibility analysis and creates a nutrient or stormwater management plan that recommends BMPs, ordinances, etc. D1) Secchi monitoring will be conducted and reported. E1) Project completes a planning effort including a strategy (who, what, when) for implementation. E2) Project will provide design information (technical specifications) for specific management project implementation.


Grant Details
Large Scale Lake Planning
Date
10/1/2008
Waters Involved
North Branch Duck Creek
Status
Complete

Columbia County: Tarrant Lake-Wq Monitoring-Ph. 1: Columbia County proposes to conduct an advanced water quality monitoring program on Tarrant Lake for a future TMDL in partnership with UW Stevens Point. This grant comprises part 1 of 2. The project activities include sampling water quality and flow at 5 or more sites, 2. volunteers will record precipitation, and 3. all data compiled into final report. Deliverables for this grant include a final report containing all the raw data, and all applicable ranking question deliverables. The DNR will be provided with both a paper copy and an editable electronic copy of the final report. The project results will be disseminated to the public via news releases, meetings with the Tarrant Lake Preservation Committee and public informational meetings.


Grant Details
Large Scale Lake Planning
Date
10/1/2005
Waters Involved
Tarrant Lake
Status
Complete

Village Of Cambria: Tarrant Lake Watershed Impact Inventory: Watershed inventory including identification of high sources of nutrients, needed BMP's and working with landowners to find programs and funds to control upland sediment sources.


Grant Details
Large Scale Lake Planning
Date
10/1/2007
Waters Involved
Tarrant Lake
Status
Complete

Columbia County: Tarrant Lake Mgmt Plan Development: Columbia County proposes to develop a lake management plan for Tarrant Lake. The plan will be created with significant public input, and contain feasible objectives and goals. The final report will be submitted on paper and electronic copies, and include all raw data. Project results will be shared via public meetings, with a final presentation upon completion of project. The following is a complete list of deliverables: A1) Completes a comprehensive lake management plan. A2) Identifies and prioritizes lake management needs and sets goals. A3) Provides specific lake water quality management objectives (resource desired conditions in TSI). A4) Provides specific objectives for watershed or land use management (identify critical sites). A5) Provides specific management objectives for fish habitat. A6) Provides a specific sociological management objective (education). B2) Develops a comprehensive assessment of fish, aquatic life or wildlife habitat with management recommendations (aquatic plant management plan, shoreland restoration plan). B3) Information will be used in development of a shoreland restoration and protection program. C3) Inventory and review in detail the adequacy of institutional programs effecting lake quality. C4) Develops a comprehensive assessment and management strategy for watershed pollution source(s). Partition actual load(s) by subwatershed or source(s),conducts a loading reduction feasibility analysis and creates a nutrient or stormwater management plan that recommends BMPs, ordinances, etc. D1) Secchi monitoring will be conducted and reported. E1) Project completes a planning effort including a strategy (who, what, when) for implementation. E2) Project will provide design information (technical specifications) for specific management project implementation.


Grant Details
Large Scale Lake Planning
Date
10/1/2008
Waters Involved
Tarrant Lake
Status
Complete

Columbia County: Tarrant Lake-Wq Monitoring-Ph. 1: Columbia County proposes to conduct an advanced water quality monitoring program on Tarrant Lake for a future TMDL in partnership with UW Stevens Point. This grant comprises part 1 of 2. The project activities include sampling water quality and flow at 5 or more sites, 2. volunteers will record precipitation, and 3. all data compiled into final report. Deliverables for this grant include a final report containing all the raw data, and all applicable ranking question deliverables. The DNR will be provided with both a paper copy and an editable electronic copy of the final report. The project results will be disseminated to the public via news releases, meetings with the Tarrant Lake Preservation Committee and public informational meetings.


Grant Details
Large Scale Lake Planning
Date
10/1/2011
Waters Involved
Tarrant Lake
Status
Complete

Columbia County: Tarrant Lake, Api, Spm Plan & Water Chemistry Load Analysis: The Columbia County LWCD will inventory the aquatic plant community in Tarrant Lake, Columbia County, and write an aquatic plant management plan following DNR guidance. This process will provide education to the community while inviting their input. A bathymetric map will be created to document lake depths, which have changed due to the recent dredging project. They will also use data already collected to do a water chemistry load analysis and model phosphorus. In addition, in order to provide an Aquatic Plant Management Plan that is complex in scope Columbia County will conduct a shore land health study with GPS photography on the land from the high water mark to the first 30\2019 surrounding the lake. All these efforts will be used to update the comprehensive lake management plan. There will be public meetings, and results will be compiled into a final report which will be posted on the County LWCD website.


Grant Details
Large Scale Lake Planning
Date
4/1/2010
Waters Involved
Unnamed
Status
Complete

Lake Alice Association, Inc: Lake Alice Stewardship Program Phase Ii - Understanding The Biota Of Lake Alice: Lake Alice Association is sponsoring phased large scale lake planning grants to study Lake Alice, in Lincoln County. The project will focus on developing and updating an Adaptive Lake Management Plan (LMP) for Lake Alice. Phase 2 was funded in this grant cycle and Phases 3-5 will be submitted for funding starting in 2011.

Project activities for Phase 2 include: 1) Educational program, meetings and educational events with lake association and Tomahawk High School students, written educational materials, news releases, and website updates; 2) Point-intercept (PI) aquatic plant survey; 3) Aquatic plant community and substrate mapping; 4) Water quality assessment; 5) Volunteer amphibian monitoring and angler survey; 6) Update LMP.

Project deliverables include: 1) Educational materials and news releases; 2) Aquatic plant community and substrate maps; 3) PI, water quality, amphibian, and angler data; 4) LMP.

Specific conditions for this project: LMP needs Dept review and approval

WDNR Lakes Management Coordinator will be provided with an electronic (pdf or word) and hard copy of LMP, news releases, any other educational materials/products, all data, all maps from project, and all GIS data.


Grant Details
Large Scale Lake Planning
Date
4/1/2010
Waters Involved
Wisconsin River
Status
Complete

Lake Alice Association, Inc: Lake Alice Stewardship Program Phase Ii - Understanding The Biota Of Lake Alice: Lake Alice Association is sponsoring phased large scale lake planning grants to study Lake Alice, in Lincoln County. The project will focus on developing and updating an Adaptive Lake Management Plan (LMP) for Lake Alice. Phase 2 was funded in this grant cycle and Phases 3-5 will be submitted for funding starting in 2011.

Project activities for Phase 2 include: 1) Educational program, meetings and educational events with lake association and Tomahawk High School students, written educational materials, news releases, and website updates; 2) Point-intercept (PI) aquatic plant survey; 3) Aquatic plant community and substrate mapping; 4) Water quality assessment; 5) Volunteer amphibian monitoring and angler survey; 6) Update LMP.

Project deliverables include: 1) Educational materials and news releases; 2) Aquatic plant community and substrate maps; 3) PI, water quality, amphibian, and angler data; 4) LMP.

Specific conditions for this project: LMP needs Dept review and approval

WDNR Lakes Management Coordinator will be provided with an electronic (pdf or word) and hard copy of LMP, news releases, any other educational materials/products, all data, all maps from project, and all GIS data.


Monitoring & Projects

Projects including grants, restoration work and studies shown below have occurred in this watershed. Click the links below to read through the text. While these are not an exhaustive list of activities, they provide insight into the management activities happening in this watershed.

Grants and Management Projects
Duck Creek and Rocky Run Watershed
Watershed Recommendations
Best Management Practices, Implement
Columbia County TRM 2017
Date
Status
This project is a landowner installation of nonpoint source best management practices to contribute to the restoration of Wisconsin?s waters and was funded by the 319 grant. Specifically, the grantee will implement: a manure storage system, a manure storage system closure, a barnyard runoff control system, critical area stabilization, diversions, heavy use area protection, roofing, roof runoff systems, a waste transfer system, wastewater treatment strips, relocation/abandonment of animal feeding operation, a milking center waste control system, and a feed storage runoff control system to remedy discharges of manure, sediment and phosphorus in runoff entering waters of the state and address the following NR 151 Agricultural Performance Standards and Prohibitions: sheet, rill, and wind erosion; process wastewater handling; clean water diversions; nutrient management; prevention of overflow from manure storage facilities; and prevention of direct runoff from a feedlot or stored manure.
1/1/2017
In Progress
Projects
 
Best Management Practices, Implement
Columbia County TRM 2017
Date
Status
This project is a landowner installation of nonpoint source best management practices to contribute to the restoration of Wisconsin?s waters and was funded by the 319 grant. Specifically, the grantee will implement: a manure storage system, a barnyard runoff control system, critical area stabilization, roof runoff systems, a waste transfer system, wastewater treatment strips to remedy discharges of manure, sediment and phosphorus in runoff entering waters of the state and address the following NR 151 Agricultural Performance Standards and Prohibitions: sheet, rill, and wind erosion; manure storage facilities-new/significant alterations; process wastewater handling; clean water diversions; nutrient management; prevention of overflow from manure storage facilities; prevention of direct runoff from a feedlot or stored manure
1/1/2017
In Progress
Projects
 
Hire County Aquatic Invasives Coordinator
 
Date
Status
Hire Aquatic Invasives (AIS) County Coordinator - Columbia
1/1/2011
In Progress
Projects
 
Monitor Aquatic Biology
Monitor biology on WBIC: 1265560
Date
Status
Conduct biological (mIBI or fIBI) monitoring on Unnamed, WBIC: 1265560, AU:1516869
5/21/2016
Proposed
Projects
 
Monitor Water Quality or Sediment
Rocky Run Temp
Date
Status
Recommend not using 2009 data, stream and trib improvements were made, suggest monitoring water temperature. AU: 13519; ID: 10009943
5/1/2018
Proposed
Projects
 
Duck Creek and Rocky Run WatershedWatershed History Note

The Village of Cambria is located in the Duck Creek and Rocky Run Watershed in Columbia County. The village has a history of name changes. It was first called Florence, or Langdon's Mills, later Bellville, and finally Cambria, the Latin name for Wales, probably on account of the Welsh settlers who came there in 1845. Preceding the first Welsh colonists by about a year were the Langdon brothers. In 1844, they settled on the site of the present Village of Cambria, building a saw mill on a branch of Duck Creek, and opening a store with a small stock of merchandise. They surveyed and platted four blocks, and called the village Florence. But the mill dominated the landscape and the settlement around it was called Langdon's Mills. In 1848, the Langdons constructed a frame for a gristmill, but they were unable to purchase the necessary machinery to operate it. In the spring of 1849, a man named Mr. Bell appeared and advanced money for that purpose, taking a mortgage upon the Langdon property as security. In consequence of nonpayment of the debt, the property passed into his hands, and the new owner surveyed and platted quite a large addition to the original site. In order to perpetuate his name he called the village Bellville. Mr. Bell continued to operate the mill until 1851, when he disposed of all his holdings, not only in the mill but in the village site, to John Jones and Evan Edwards. But the new proprietors of the village, as well as the Welshmen who had settled there, were not pleased with the name Bellville, and it was changed to Cambria.

Date  2011