Lafayette County, Wisconsin
GP01
936400
0.00 - 3.75
3.75
Water is impaired due to one or more pollutants and associated quality impacts.
Notes
This water was originally listed for sediment but biologists believe that toxicity from mine runoff may be the primary factor impairing the stream.
This water was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; based on 2018 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use, available biological data did not indicate impairment (i.e. no macroinvertebrate or fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scored in the "poor" condition category). Further biological monitoring is recommended.
Pollutant
Zinc
Listed For
Fish and Aquatic Life
Impairments
Chronic Aquatic Toxicity
Current Use
Unsupported Aquatic Life
Listing Status
303d Listed
Attainable Use
WWFF - Warmwater Forage Fishery
Priority
Low
Designated Use
WWFF - Warmwater Forage Fishery
303(d) ID
2010-44
Listing Date
4/1/2010
Impaired Water Notes
Bull Branch is already on the impaired waters list due to habitat degradation caused by sedimentation. However, mine discharges to the stream also are causing toxicity to aquatic life as evidenced by the lack of fish as well as bioassay test results. Additionally, two perched culverts (one at Buncombe Road and the other at CTH W) effectively alter or prohibit fish migration upstream from these two points.
Date
3/23/2010
Pollutant
Sediment/Total Suspended Solids
Listed For
Fish and Aquatic Life
Impairments
Degraded Habitat
Current Use
Unsupported Aquatic Life
Listing Status
303d Listed
Attainable Use
WWFF - Warmwater Forage Fishery
Priority
Medium
Designated Use
WWFF - Warmwater Forage Fishery
303(d) ID
62
Listing Date
4/1/1998
Impaired Water Notes
Bull Branch is a 3 mile long tributary to the Galena River. It derives much of its flow from mine discharges in the area. The stream is listed as an Impaired Water [on the 303(d) list] due to sedimentation caused by nonpoint source pollution. While this may have been a cause for impairment in the past, current data (2010) and an observation of land use practices suggest that the stream impairment may now be more related to high concentrations of heavy metals that are leaching from the historic mining in this area. Water chemistry data shows zinc concentrations near levels shown to cause toxicity in aquatic organisms. Bioassays show the waters of Bull Branch to inhibit growth and reproduction of test organisms at the base of the food chain.
Date
10/12/2010