Stony Creek, North Branch Milwaukee River Watershed (MI05)
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Stony Creek, North Branch Milwaukee River Watershed (MI05)
Stony Creek (28700)
10.50 Miles
3.10 - 13.60
Natural Community
Warm Headwater, COOL-Warm Mainstem, COOL-Warm Headwater
Year Last Monitored
2024
Poor
 
This river is impaired
High Phosphorus Levels
Total Phosphorus
 
Fond Du Lac, Sheboygan, Washington
Trout Water 
No
Outstanding or Exceptional 
No
Impaired Water 
Yes

Fish and Aquatic Life

Current Use
Restricted Aquatic Life
Attainable Use
Default FAL
Designated Use
Default FAL

Historical Description

The Stony Creek Su atershed, located in the southeastern portion of the watershed, consists of Stony Creek, two
other unnamed perennial streams, two intermittent streams and Haack Lake.

Water Resources. Stony Creek originates in wetlands and also as an intermittent outlet from Haack
discharges to the North Branch of the Milwaukee River at T12N-R20-Sec3 SWSW. The stream is channelized
downstream of Forest Road and is impounded at Boltonville, approximately 4.1 miles downstream of the headwaters.
Stony Creek is joined by two perennial and two small intermittent tributaries. From the headlands to approximately
&st Moraine Drive, the stream is bordered by lowland, swamp hardwoods. In-stream habitat limitations such as
siltation in slackwater, pools and runs, suggest that sediment transport from nonpoint sources and stream bank erosion
is significant in wet weather. Bacteriological contamination appears to be a problem downstream of STH 144.
Analysis of the bacterial fecal co1iform:streptococcus ratios suggest mixed human/animal waste loading.
Haack Lake is the only natural lake in this subwatershed. It is predominantly a seepage lake with a surface area of 12
acres and a maximum depth of 22 feet. Depending on the precipitation in a given year, Haack Lake flows to an
intermittent outlet in the headwater wetlands of Stony Creek. Haack Lake is surrounded by wooded wetlands, similar
to the wetlands in the headwaters region of the creek.
The Boltonville millpond was created by a low-head dam on Stony Creek. It has a surface area of 11 acres and
maximum depth of approximately 10 feet. As to be expected of an impoundment, heavy siltation, turbidity and weed
infestation are major problems in this impoundment. Discharge from the impoundment also results in significant
warming of downstream water temperatures. Boltonville Millpond was dredged in 1985 and is currently maintained by
the Boltonville Sportsmans' Club.
Stony Creek has a full-body recreational classification but may be unhealthy during periods of wet weather due to
bacterial contamination. There is no public access to Boltonville Millpond.

Date  1990

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Natural communities (stream and lake natural communities) represent model results that use predicted flow and temperature based on landscape features and related assumptions. Ranges of flow and temperature associated with specific aquatic life communities (fish, macroinvertebrates) help biologists identify appropriate resource management goals. Wisconsin Natural Communities.
This is the most recent date of monitoring data stored in SWIMS. Additional surveys for fish and habitat may be available subsequent to this date.
Trout Waters are represented by Class I, Class II or Class III waters. These classes have specific ecological characteristics and management actions associated with them. For more information regarding Trout Classifications, see the Fisheries Trout Class Webpages.
Wisconsin has designated many of the state's highest quality waters as Outstanding Resource Waters (ORWs) or Exceptional Resource Waters (ERWs). Waters designated as ORW or ERW are surface waters which provide outstanding recreational opportunities, support valuable fisheries and wildlife habitat, have good water quality, and are not significantly impacted by human activities. ORW and ERW status identifies waters that the State of Wisconsin has determined warrant additional protection from the effects of pollution. These designations are intended to meet federal Clean Water Act obligations requiring Wisconsin to adopt an 'antidegradation' policy that is designed to prevent any lowering of water quality - especially in those waters having significant ecological or cultural value.
A water is polluted or 'impaired' if it does not support full use by humans, wildlife, fish and other aquatic life and it is shown that one or more of the pollutant criteria are not met.
The use the water currently supports. This is not a designation or classification; it is based on the current condition of the water. Information in this column is not designed for, and should not be used for, regulatory purposes.
Fish and Aquatic Life communities are not fully supported in this ecosystem.
The use that the investigator believes the water could achieve through managing "controllable" sources. Beaver dams, hydroelectric dams, low gradient streams, and naturally occurring low flows are generally not considered controllable. The attainable use may be the same as the current use or it may be higher.
Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.
This is the water classification legally recognized by NR102 and NR104, Wis. Adm. Code. The classification determines water quality criteria and effluent limits. Waters obtain designated uses through classification procedures.
Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.