Sheboygan
Yes
No
No
Fish and Aquatic Life
Historical Description
The subwatershed is drained by the perennial Gooseville Creek and one intermittent stream located in the east-central
portion of the watershed.Water Resources.
Gooseville Creek is a small cold-water stream flowing into the Gooseville millpond section of the
North Branch of the Milwaukee River (T13N-R21E-Sec17 SENW). A large spring in the headwaters contributes most
of the stream flow in the upper one-half of the south branch of the Creek. Parts of these stream reaches have been
fenced to prevent cattle access. It has been channelized in the past presumably to drain wet soils. The northern
branch has been damaged by straightening and ditching. The latter activity has destroyed natural trout spawning
habitat. The mainstem of Gooseville Creek is that portion from the confluence of the North and South Branches to
the confluence with the North Branch of the Milwaukee River, upstream of Gsoseville millpond. The relatively
sluggish flow in the mainstem results in siltation in slackwater areas.
The surrounding terrestrial habitat on the north branch of Gooseville Creek consists of wet meadow, shrubs and
lowland hardwoods, providing good wildlife habitat but limiting physical access to the stream for water based recreation.
The stream is inaccessible for almost all of its length due to dense brush cover. On the south branch, surrounding
terrestrial vegetation consists of pasture in the headwaters area and mature conifer and upland hardwoods downstream
nearly to the confluence with the north branch of the creek.
There are no natural lakes or impoundments in this subwatershed.
Due to its small size and limited accessibility, Gooseville Creek is classified for partial-body recreational use.
No toxic screening has been conducted on streams in this drainage system.
Fisheries. Gooseville Creek is classified as a trout stream and has historically supported native populations of brook
trout and several species of forage fish. Records also suggest that this stream has supported spawning runs of
northern pike from the North Branch of the Milwaukee River. The stream's small size, siltation and ditching of
headwater reaches are the most important factors limiting fisheries potential of this stream.
Wildlife. See Water Resources description.
Parks and Recreation. No park and open space land is located in this subwatershed. An environmental corridor along
a tributary, creek, stream or main river stem would protect wildlife and fish habitat, increase recreational opportunities,
allow for protection of scenic areas and provide a link between population centers. The restoration of wetlands, or
prairies in these areas would help protect and maintain water quality.
Date 1990
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
Historical Description
Forestry. The major timber type here is oak-northern hardwood. There are 187 acres of land managed under the
Forest Tax Laws and none under CRP tree planting contracts.
Solid and Hazardous Waste. While there are no landfills in this subwatershed, residents have access to privately
owned landfills in neighboring areas. However, under new federal regulations the cost of operating small landfills may
precipitate closure early in the 1990's. Timely planning is important for Gooseville Creek Subwatershed residents as
the design and permitting process for a new landfill requires five years. Long-range solid waste management planning
will safeguard surface and groundwater resources in the North Branch Watershed.
Water Supply. Private wells supply the water needs of residents in this drainage system. The Department regulates
only community or municipal water supply systems and does not have the authority to require well monitoring or
prohibit the use of contaminated water. To ensure safe, potable water supplies, owners of private wells should test
water samples for bacterial and nitrate levels on a yearly basis. Testing kits are available from the State Hygiene
Laboratory or commercial firms for $7 to $30 per test. Regular inspection of well caps, pumps and casings will also
safeguard health of humans and livestock.
Water Regulation and Zoning. Regular program activities occur on a case-by-case basis and are in response to actions
or requests from individuals. These include, protection of wetlands through oversight of county wetland/shoreland
ordinances, and incorporation of watershed objectives into projects requiring water regulation permits. There has been
no known water regulation involvement in this subwatershed.
Wastewater. The Sheboygan County Sanitary District staff is responsible for on-site septic system wastewater
management in this drainage way.
Nonpoint Source. While the overall quantity of phosphorus and sediment delivered to surface waters is moderate
(23.1 lbs. and 180 tons, respectively), Gmseville Creek's small size and fish community intolerant of pollution make this
an important water quality concern. Stream bank erosion and the number of critical acres winter spread with manure
may also have significant adverse impacts on localized water quality. Refer to the Nonpoint Source Priority Watershed
Plan for the North Branch of the Milwaukee River for specific, detailed nonpoint source pollution reduction goals and
recommendations
Date 1990
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
Condition
Wisconsin has over 84,000 miles of streams, 15,000 lakes and milllions of acres of wetlands. Assessing the condition of this vast amount of water is challenging. The state's water monitoring program uses a media-based, cross-program approach to analyze water condition. An updated monitoring strategy (2015-2020) is now available. Compliance with Clean Water Act fishable, swimmable standards are located in the Executive Summary of Water Condition in 2018. See also the 'monitoring and projects' tab.
Management Goals
Wisconsin's Water Quality Standards provide qualitative and quantitative goals for waters that are protective of Fishable, Swimmable conditions [Learn more]. Waters that do not meet water quality standards are considered impaired and restoration actions are planned and carried out until the water is once again fishable and swimmable
Management goals can include creation or implementation of a Total Maximum Daily Load analysis, a Nine Key Element Plan, or other restoration work, education and outreach and more. If specific recommendations exist for this water, they will be displayed below online.
Monitoring
Monitoring the condition of a river, stream, or lake includes gathering physical, chemical, biological, and habitat data. Comprehensive studies often gather all these parameters in great detail, while lighter assessment events will involve sampling physical, chemical and biological data such as macroinvertebrates. Aquatic macroinvertebrates and fish communities integrate watershed or catchment condition, providing great insight into overall ecosystem health. Chemical and habitat parameters tell researchers more about human induced problems including contaminated runoff, point source dischargers, or habitat issues that foster or limit the potential of aquatic communities to thrive in a given area. Wisconsin's Water Monitoring Strategy was recenty updated.
Grants and Management Projects
Monitoring Projects
| WBIC | Official Waterbody Name | Station ID | Station Name | Earliest Fieldwork Date | Latest Fieldwork Date | View Station | View Data |
|---|
| 32000 | Gooseville Creek | 10008877 | Gooseville Creek2 | | | Map | Data |
|
Watershed Characteristics
Gooseville Creek is located in the North Branch Milwaukee River watershed which is 149.67 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (45.40%), grassland (20.30%) and a mix of wetland (15.50%) and other uses (18.80%). This watershed has 159.81 stream miles, 886.38 lake acres and 13,793.69 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked High for runoff impacts on streams, High for runoff impacts on lakes and High for runoff impacts on groundwater and therefore has an overall rank of High. This value can be used in ranking the watershed or individual waterbodies for grant funding under state and county programs.However, all waters are affected by diffuse pollutant sources regardless of initial water quality. Applications for specific runoff projects under state or county grant programs may be pursued. For more information, go to surface water program grants.