Lower East Branch Pecatonica (SP03) Watershed Planning
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Purpose

The Lower East Branch Pecatonica River Watershed straddles northwest Green County and northeast Lafayette County and encompasses a drainage area of about 145 square miles. Agriculture dominates the landscape, making up 75% of the land cover in the watershed. Broadleaf deciduous woods and grasslands make up the balance of the land cover. Some high quality wetlands exist along the East Branch Pecatonica River, including oxbow lakes, shallow water marsh, lowland forest, and southern sedge meadow wetland complexes. Blanchardville and Argyle are the only concentrated population centers in the watershed which contains over 180 miles of streams. Segments of five streams (Apple Branch, Braezels Branch, Cherry Branch, Dougherty Creek, and Jockey Hollow Creek) are on the state's 303(d) list of impaired waters - all due to habitat loss from sedimentation. All or segments of 6 streams (Apple Branch, Dougherty Creek, Erickson Creek, Mud Branch, Sawmill Creek, and Whiteside Creek) are designated as Class II trout waters (WDNR, 2003).

Study Design

Watershed specified for planning and assessment purposes. Assessment of water quality condition in this respective county will use protocols described in WisCALM of the year of assessment. Minimum assessment work includes biological data (macroinvertebrates, fish indices), chemistry and habitat data. Additional work includes identification of priorities and goals, creating recommendations for actions, and updating narratives for watersheds and waterbodies. Assessments are to be double checked by at least one additional biologist.

Related Reports

Run Project Summary Report
View Umbrella-Projects
View Related-Projects

Water Quality Planning
Targeted Watershed Plans
SP03_WTPLAN
2009
Complete
 
Reports and Documents
Lower East Branch Pecatonica River Watershed (SP03) Draft Water Quality Management Plan
SP03 Draft Watershed Plan
Lower East Branch Pecatonica River (SP03) Goals and Priorities Image
SP03 Goals and Priorities Image
SP03 Macroinvertebrate IBI Report 2010
SP03 watershed mIBI report generated in WATERS
Lower East Branch Pecatonica Rivers Watershed (SP03) WAG
Watershed at a Glance
Lower East Branch Pecatonica Rivers Watershed (SP03) Map
Lower East Branch Pecatonica Rivers Watershed (SP03) Learn More Image
Lower East Branch Pecatonica Rivers Watershed (SP03) Ecological Landscapes Map
Lower East Branch Pecatonica Rivers Watershed (SP03) Impaired Waters Map
Watershed-At-A-Glance SP03
Lower East Branch Assessment 2007 ? 2008
Fish survey data from SP03 waters Appendix A - Other Sites
2004, 2007-08 Fish survey data from SP03 waters.
 
Activities & Recommendations
Monitor Watershed (Status,Sources,Impairments)
Lower East Branch Pecatonica Watershed assessment (surveyed in 07/08). UWSP will develop a SWAT watershed model for the Mill Creek watershed located in Central Wisconsin. Mill Creek is on the state 303d list of impaired waters for excessive nutrients and DO problems. The SWAT and Snap-Plus models will be used to link land use in the watershed to water quality in the stream. The model will be developed using land use and water quality monitoring data to provide citizens and agencies necessary information to develop a TMDL.
Water Quality Planning
 
Watershed
Lower East Branch Pecatonica Rivers
 
Waters
East Branch Pecatonica River
Monitoring Data