Peterson Creek, South Branch Little Wolf River Watershed (WR08)
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Peterson Creek, South Branch Little Wolf River Watershed (WR08)
Peterson Creek (275400)
8.18 Miles
0 - 8.18
Natural Community
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.
Cool-Cold Headwater, Coldwater
Year Last Monitored
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.
2024
Poor
 
This river is impaired
Elevated Water Temperature
Unknown Pollutant
 
Waupaca
Trout Water 
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.
Yes
Outstanding or Exceptional 
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.
Yes
Impaired Water 
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.
Yes

Fish and Aquatic Life

Current Use
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.
Restricted Aquatic Life
Fish and Aquatic Life communities are not fully supported in this ecosystem.
Attainable Use
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.
Cold (Class I Trout)
Streams supporting a cold water sport fishery, or serving as a spawning area for salmonids and other cold water fish species through natural reproduction. Representative aquatic life communities, associated with these waters, generally require cold temperatures and concentrations of dissolved oxygen that remain above 6 mg/L. Since these waters are capable of supporting natural reproduction, a minimum dissolved oxygen concentration of 7 mg/L is required during times of active spawning and support of early life stages of newly-hatched fish.
Designated Use
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.
Cold
Streams capable of supporting a cold water sport fishery, or serving as a spawning area for salmonids and other cold water fish species. Representative aquatic life communities, associated with these waters, generally require cold temperatures and concentrations of dissolved oxygen that remain above 6 mg/L. Since these waters are capable of supporting natural reproduction, a minimum dissolved oxygen concentration of 7 mg/L is required during times of active spawning and support of early life stages of newly-hatched fish.

Overview

Peterson Creek is listed in NR 102 as an Outstanding Resource Water. It is a 10-mile-long Class I trout stream with excellent trout reproduction. The stream is slightly affected by beaver activity and agricultural nonpoint sources.

From: Bougie, Cheryl A., Kosmond, Lisa D, and Watermolen, Dreux J. 1996. Wolf River Basin Water Quality Management Plan. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.

Date  1996

Author  Cheryl Bougie

Peterson Creek, South Branch Little Wolf River Watershed (WR08) Fish and Aquatic LifePeterson Creek, South Branch Little Wolf River Watershed (WR08) RecreationPeterson Creek, South Branch Little Wolf River Watershed (WR08) Fish Consumption

Impaired Waters

Peterson Creek (275400) from the mouth to Waupaca/Portage county line was listed for Elevated Water Temperature in 2016. The 2018 assessments showed continued impairment by temperature; temperature sample data exceeded the 2018 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use. New total phosphorus sample data were clearly below the 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Fish and Aquatic Life use. Based on the most updated information, no change in the existing impaired waters listing was needed.

Date  2017

Author  Ashley Beranek

Impaired Waters

Peterson Creek (275400) from the mouth to Waupaca/Portage county line was assessed during the 2016 listing cycle; temperature data exceeded 2016 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Fish and Aquatic Life use.

Date  2015

Author  Aaron Larson

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.

Reports

Peterson Creek and tribs, Waupaca Portage Counties, OERW Evaluation
2020 Comprehensive WQ Assessments
Final Draft 2018 Impaired Waters List
Comprehensive 2018 River/Stream Water Quality Assessments
2016 Total Phosphorus Monitoring Report - Peterson Creek at Jensen Rd.
2015 Total Phosphorus Monitoring Report - Peterson Creek at Jensen Rd.
Streams/Rivers AIS ED Monitoring Pilot 2015 Waupaca County, Peterson Creek, 275400, 10020696
Comprehensive 2016 Rivers Stream Assessments
Macroinvertebrate Assessment Package Report WR08 2003 to 2013

Recommendations

Citizen-Based Stream Monitoring
Collect chemical, physical, and/or biological water quality data to assess the current overall stream health. The data can inform management decisions and may be used to identify impaired waters for biennial lists.
Citizen-Based Stream Monitoring
Collect chemical, physical, and/or biological water quality data to assess the current overall stream health. The data can inform management decisions and may be used to identify impaired waters for biennial lists.
Citizen-Based Stream Monitoring
Collect chemical, physical, and/or biological water quality data to assess the current overall stream health. The data can inform management decisions and may be used to identify impaired waters for biennial lists.
Citizen-Based Stream Monitoring
Collect chemical, physical, and/or biological water quality data to assess the current overall stream health. The data can inform management decisions and may be used to identify impaired waters for biennial lists.

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

Project Name (Click for Details)Year Started
Peterson Creek at CTY B bridge2007
Peterson Creek at CTY Q Bridge2007
Peterson Creek at CTH V, 50ft downstream of Dam2007
Peterson Creek downstream of Matson Rd Bridge2007

Monitoring Projects

WBICOfficial Waterbody NameStation IDStation NameEarliest Fieldwork DateLatest Fieldwork DateView StationView Data
275400Peterson Creek10055403Peterson Creek - Peterson Rd. MapData
275400Peterson Creek10013711Peterson Creek - Jensen Rd.5/15/20139/11/2021MapData
275400Peterson Creek10029228Peterson Creek N of Gilman Rd near Gurholt RdMapData
275400Peterson Creek10008358Peterson Creek 11 (atConfluence W/S. Br Little Wolf River)6/4/19801/1/2010MapData
275400Peterson Creek10029229Peterson Creek Gilham and Gurholt Rd7/20/20138/17/2022MapData
275400Peterson Creek10020696Peterson Creek - CTH B (upstream side of bridge)6/1/200510/10/2019MapData
275400Peterson Creek10008360Peterson Creek 14 (N. Of Cth B)9/13/20011/1/2015MapData
275400Peterson Creek10020695Peterson Creek Downstream Of Matson Rd. Bridge4/19/20071/1/2015MapData
275400Peterson Creek10030796Peterson Creek - 80 ft downstream from Peterson Rd4/26/200410/2/2005MapData
275400Peterson Creek10020693Peterson Creek - Cty Q (Upstream of Bridge)6/1/200510/2/2024MapData
275400Peterson Creek10008359Peterson Creek 12 (E. Of Cth O)MapData
275400Peterson Creek10008373Peterson Creek 13 (East Of Jensen Road)MapData
275400Peterson Creek10020694Peterson Creek - CTH V (50 Ft Downstream Of Dam)6/1/20051/1/2015MapData
275400Peterson Creek10041837Peterson Creek at CTY HWY B7/19/20138/21/2023MapData
275400Peterson Creek10015742Peterson Creek - ~200 Feet Upstream From End Of IbiJust Below Footbridge Confluence9/13/20019/16/2014MapData

Watershed Characteristics

Peterson Creek is located in the South Branch Little Wolf River watershed which is 160.29 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (42.40%), agricultural (23%) and a mix of wetland (18.40%) and other uses (16.10%). This watershed has 166.00 stream miles, 2,070.64 lake acres and 19,091.22 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Low 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.

Natural Community

Peterson Creek is considered a Cool-Cold Headwater, Coldwater under the state's Natural Community Determinations.

Natural communities (stream and lake natural communities) represent model results and DNR staff valiation processes that confirm or update predicted conditions based on flow and temperature modeling from historic and current landscape features and related variables. Predicated flow and temperatures for waters are associated predicated fish assemblages (communities). Biologists evaluate the model results against current survey data to determine if the modeled results are corect and whether biological indicators show water quaity degradation. This analysis is a core component of the state's resource management framework. Wisconsin's Riverine Natural Communities.

Cool (Cold-Transition) Headwaters are small, usually perennial streams with cold to cool summer temperatures. Coldwater fishes are common to uncommon (<10 per 100 m), transitional fishes are abundant to common, and warm water fishes are uncommon to absent. Headwater species are abundant to common, mainstem species are common to absent, and river species are absent.

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