Green County, Wisconsin
SP11
877000
0.00 - 10.31
10.31
Water is impaired due to one or more pollutants and associated quality impacts.
Notes
This segment of Spring Creek was put on the Impaired Waters list for sediment and degraded habitat in the 1998 cycle. The TMDL for sediment was approved in 2005. Evaluations were done in the 2018, 2020,, 2022, and 2024 cycles. Phosphorus levels are elevated, but do not yet exceed criteria. More sampling is recommended.Pollutant
Sediment/Total Suspended Solids
Listed For
Fish and Aquatic Life
Impairments
Degraded Habitat
Current Use
Unsupported Aquatic Life
Listing Status
TMDL Approved
Attainable Use
WWSF - Warmwater Sport Fishery
Priority
Not Applicable
Designated Use
WWSF - Warmwater Sport Fishery
303(d) ID
457
Listing Date
4/1/1998
Impaired Water Notes
Spring Creek is located in southeastern Green County and is part of the Lower Sugar River watershed. Originating south of Juda, it flows to the east for ten miles before it drains into the Sugar River, south of Brodhead. Spring Creek flows mainly through agricultural land, and much of the stream length had been ditched for cropland drainage. The lower ten miles of the stream are currently listed on the 303(d) list for degraded habitat due to sedimentation from nonpoint sources. A habitat evaluation was conducted above the CTH G bridge crossing in 2002 and found that about 48% of the substrate in the surveyed section was composed of fine sediment, which is considered to be “fair” habitat based on the Department’s habitat rating guidelines. Width to depth ratios averaged 16:1 for this segment of the stream, which is also considered to be “fair” habitat quality. A 2002 fish survey, about three miles upstream of where Spring Creek meets the Sugar River, found one brown trout (25.5 inches) two northern pike (15.5, 21.5 inches) and 16 other minnow and forage species, of which, white sucker and common shiner were most abundant. Two brassy minnows, which are cool-water indicators, were also seen during this survey. The HBI score, based on a macroinvertebrate sample taken in 2002, was 5.422, which suggests “good” water quality with some organic pollution. Currently, Spring Creek is listed as a warm water forage fishery; however, it has the potential to become a warm water sport fishery. Buffer strips and bank stabilization would enhance this stream.
Date
6/28/2005
Impaired Water Notes
Spring Creek (877000, miles 0-10.31) is part of the Sugar-Pecatonica River Basin and the sediment TMDLs were approved by the USEPA August 24, 2005.
Date
5/25/2005