Iowa County, Wisconsin
SP06
910800
0.00 - 9.44
9.44
Water is impaired due to one or more pollutants and associated quality impacts.
Notes
TMDL approved 2005. New water quality data reviewed in the 2018 and 2024 cycles indicated no additional pollutants. Further monitoring 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
Default - Fish and Aquatic Life
Priority
Not Applicable
Designated Use
Default - Fish and Aquatic Life
303(d) ID
12237-111
Listing Date
4/1/1998
Impaired Water Notes
Dodge Branch is a twenty-two mile long; spring fed tributary originating in central Iowa County, just north of Dodgeville. The stream is part of the Upper East Branch Pecatonica River watershed, and flows southeast, draining into the East Branch of the Pecatonica River near Hollandale. Dodge Branch is separated into three segments on the 303(d) list for modeling purposes. However, based on a review of designated uses, Dodge Branch contains four segments and all have degraded habitat due to sedimentation. The upper mile (miles 21-22) of the stream is codified as a limited forage fishery. This section receives wastewater discharge from Dodgeville, and is impacted by urban non-point source pollution.
Stream miles 17 through 21 are codified as a warm water sport fishery. Four fish surveys were conducted in this portion of the stream in 2001. Between the four surveys, 14 brown trout, three channel catfish, and 20 forage and minnow species were seen. The most abundant forage species were white sucker, central stoneroller, and creek chub. Habitat surveys in this portion of the stream found that approximately 70% of the substrate was composed of gravel or coarser material which suggests “good” habitat quality.
Stream miles 10 through 17 are codified as a cold-water fishery. Although this section of the stream receives cold water from some tributaries, urban non-point source pollution, streambank pasturing, and hydraulic manipulation negatively affect the water quality. One habitat evaluation was performed in 2001 in the section of stream codified as a cold water fishery. The survey found that about 75% of the stream bottom was composed of gravel or coarser material, and about 15% was composed of silt, indicating “good” habitat quality for this section of the stream. One fish survey was conducted in this section, also in 2001. Warm water forage species such as creek chub and white sucker were most common, and only one brown trout was found, indicating “poor” biotic integrity for a cold-water stream.
The lowest section of this stream, miles 0-10, is codified as a warm water sport fishery. Discharge from Hollandale’s municipal wastewater treatment facility, stream bank pasturing, and non-point source pollution all contribute to the turbid water seen in this section of the stream. In 2004, three sites on the lower portion of Dodge Branch, downstream of Jonesdale, underwent IBI surveys. Two brown trout and one small mouth bass were found, in addition to 12 forage and minnow species, with the most abundant being common shiner and white sucker.
Date
6/28/2005
Impaired Water Notes
Dodge Branch (910800, miles 0-20.3) is part of the Sugar-Pecatonica River Basin and the sediment TMDLs were approved by the USEPA August 24, 2005.
Date
4/25/2005