Peppermill Creek, Neenah Creek Watershed (UF14)
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Peppermill Creek, Neenah Creek Watershed (UF14)
Peppermill Creek (178400)
1.71 Miles
0 - 1.71
Natural Community
Coldwater
Year Last Monitored
2022
Good
 
Adams
Trout Water 
No
Outstanding or Exceptional 
No
Impaired Water 
No

Fish and Aquatic Life

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

Overview

The Upper Fox River Basin Plan identifies the potential use of Peppermill Creek as COLD and existing use as WWFF. A fish survey in 2007 captured salmonid species, with other salmonids observed upstream. Hydraulic modification (HM) is listed as a source of a problem and Temperature and Migration as impacts. These factors are NOT controllable in this stream segment. There are two authorized dams on this two mile reach which are operational and function properly. There is one instance of a road culvert on 1st lane that is currently plugged via boulders. This can be easily removed, which will restore flow in the reach and remove the unauthorized HM. This stream is currently meeting its potential use and should not be included on the 303d list. A fish IBI survey was completed downstream of 1st Lane and macroinvertebrates will be sampled this fall. Due to the fact that salmonids were found and that the HM is authorized, the stream is currently meeting its potential use. The watershed table also lists NPS as a problem. Currently the watershed land use is comprised chiefly of forests and grassland. Agriculture has decreased over time to only to be 20% (478.4 acres out of the 2350.4 total land area) of the total current land use. There were no obvious NPS issues observed thus it is unlikely NPS is a significant problem. Habitat and sedimentation is listed as an impact associated with NPS. There has been trout habitat restoration completed downstream of 1st lane, and other habitat is affected by the presence of dams, which as described earlier, are uncontrollable.

Date  2008

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

Peppermill Creek, T15N, R7E, Section 12 Surface Acres = 2.1, Miles '=1.6, Gradient = 13.3 feet per mile.
This is a clear, spring-fed, hard water stream that has a predominantly sand bottom
and flows in an easterly direction. Beaver Pond, a drainage lake, is located at its
headwaters and before the stream joins Neenah Creek, it passes through McDougall Lake
and an unnamed flowage. The fishery consists of largemouth bass, bluegins, pumpkinseed,
rock bass, bullheads, and forage species. Brook trout are incidental. Beaver and muskrat
are present. Ducks have been observed and wood ducks nest along the stream. Open
water was observed the full length of the stream during the February, 1963, aerial
groundwater survey. Three road crossings provide access.

From: Klick, Thomas A. and C.W. Threinen. 1966. Surface Water Resources of Adams County:
Lake and Stream Classification Project. Wisconsin Conservation Department, Madison, WI.

Date  1966

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.
Waters that support fish and aquatic life communities (healthy biological communities).
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.