Carpenter Creek, Pine and Willow Rivers Watershed (WR02)
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Carpenter Creek, Pine and Willow Rivers Watershed (WR02)
Carpenter Creek (248800)
6.06 Miles
0 - 6.06
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.
Warm Headwater, COOL-Warm Headwater
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
Degraded Habitat
Sediment/Total Suspended Solids, Unknown Pollutant
 
Waushara
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.
No
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 II Trout)
Streams 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 through natural reproduction and selective propagation. 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

Carpenter Creek is 6.0 miles in length. This stream flows in a southerly direction
before emptying into the Pine River. The creek and its watershed are entirely in
Waushara County. Carpenter Creek is located within the Carpenter Creek
subwatershed, one of 12 subwatersheds that make up the Pine River Willow Creek
Watershed of the Wolf River Basin. The 12.7 square mile drainage area to Carpenter
Creek is 42% of the area of Carpenter Creek subwatershed as described in the Pine
River/ Willow Creek Priority Watershed Project.

The lack of exposed gravel substrate greatly limits the spawning in Carpenter Creek.
The filling-in of riffle areas (measured as embeddedness) reduces reproductive success
of trout by reducing inter-gravel flow which is necessary to maintain suitable
temperature and oxygen conditions for eggs and fry. Sedimentation of riffle areas also
reduces suitable habitat for macroinvertebrates and other fish food organisms. Fillingin
of pools reduces the amount of available cover for juvenile and adult fish. The sand
substrate reduces the amount of suitable habitat for fish, and fish food organisms.
Macroinvertebrate biomass is generally lower in areas with a predominantly sand
substrate with a mix of gravel, rubble and sand. There is extensive drainage of riparian
wetlands adjacent to Carpenter Creek. Several lateral ditches appear to contribute both
sediment and warmer water to the stream.

A description of the population, soils, topography, geology and other physical
characteristics of the Pine River/ Willow Creek Priority Watershed is contained in
Chapter 2 of A Nonpoint Source Control Plan for the Pine River/ Willow Creek Priority
Watershed Project. For a map of Carpenter Creek Subwatershed, please see Map 2-3
in Chapter 2 of the Plan.

Date  2004

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Overview

Carpenter Creek is in poor shape due to ditching near the headwaters. Old drainage ditches along the creek were recently dredged, affecting the entire stream. There are also problems with beaver activity. This is a low Class II trout stream.

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

Historical Description

Entire stream (class 2).

Date  1980

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Carpenter Creek, Pine and Willow Rivers Watershed (WR02) Fish and Aquatic LifeCarpenter Creek, Pine and Willow Rivers Watershed (WR02) RecreationCarpenter Creek, Pine and Willow Rivers Watershed (WR02) Fish Consumption

Impaired Waters

Carpenter Creek (248800) 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

2020 Comprehensive WQ Assessments
2018 Total Phosphorus Monitoring Report - Carpenter Creek At Bridge On CTH NN
Carpenter Creek, Carpenter Creek 2 At Bridge On Cth M, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form
Carpenter Creek, Carpenter Creek At Bridge On CTH NN, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form
Final Draft 2018 Impaired Waters List
Comprehensive 2018 River/Stream Water Quality Assessments
Comprehensive 2016 Rivers Stream Assessments
USEPA Decision Document for the Approval of the Carpenter Creek TMDL 248800
Carpenter Creek 248800_11188 Sediment TMDL
Pine Willow Poygan South (WR02) Priority Watershed Surface Water Resource Appraisal Report 1997

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.
TMDL (USEPA) Approved
Carpenter Creek is 6.0 miles in length. This stream flows in a southerly direction before emptying into the Pine River. The creek and its watershed are entirely in Waushara County. Carpenter Creek is located within the Carpenter Creek subwatershed, one of 12 subwatersheds that make up the Pine River Willow Creek Watershed of the Wolf River Basin.
TMDL Implementation
Carpenter Creek is 6.0 miles in length. This stream flows in a southerly direction before emptying into the Pine River. The creek and its watershed are entirely in Waushara County. Carpenter Creek is located within the Carpenter Creek subwatershed, one of 12 subwatersheds that make up the Pine River Willow Creek Watershed of the Wolf River Basin. TMDL for sedimentation and degraded habitat in the Carpenter Creek watershed.
TMDL Implementation
Carpenter Creek is 6.0 miles in length. This stream flows in a southerly direction before emptying into the Pine River. The creek and its watershed are entirely in Waushara County. Carpenter Creek is located within the Carpenter Creek subwatershed, one of 12 subwatersheds that make up the Pine River Willow Creek Watershed of the Wolf River Basin. The 12.7 square mile drainage area to Carpenter Creek is 42% of the area of Carpenter Creek subwatershed as described in the Pine River/ Willow Creek Priority Watershed Project.

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
Carpenter Creek (Waushara Co) TMDL2004
Carpenter Creek At Bridge on CTH M2007
Carpenter Creek At CTH NN2007

Monitoring Projects

WBICOfficial Waterbody NameStation IDStation NameEarliest Fieldwork DateLatest Fieldwork DateView StationView Data
248800Carpenter Creek703081Carpenter Creek at Archer Road2/19/19966/2/2005MapData
248800Carpenter Creek10007902Carpenter Creek 11aMapData
248800Carpenter Creek10020683Carpenter Creek At Bridge On CTH NN6/2/20059/18/2024MapData
248800Carpenter Creek10020685Carpenter Creek 2 At Bridge On Cth M3/11/20073/8/2019MapData
248800Carpenter Creek703064Carpenter Creek at Cth Nn8/17/19956/18/1996MapData
248800Carpenter Creek10007904Carpenter Creek - 12MapData
248800Carpenter Creek10007901Carpenter Creek 11 MapData

Watershed Characteristics

Carpenter Creek is located in the Pine and Willow Rivers watershed which is 302.08 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (34.40%), agricultural (27.80%) and a mix of wetland (19.20%) and other uses (18.70%). This watershed has 377.48 stream miles, 11,273.01 lake acres and 33,136.61 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked High for runoff impacts on streams, Not Ranked 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

Carpenter Creek is considered a Warm Headwater, COOL-Warm Headwater 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 (Warm-Transition) Headwaters are small, sometimes intermittent streams with cool to warm summer temperatures. Coldwater fishes are uncommon to absent, transitional fishes are abundant to common, and warm water fishes are common to uncommon. Headwater species are abundant to common, mainstem species are common to absent, and river species are absent.

Warm Headwaters are small, usually intermittent streams with warm summer temperatures. Coldwater fishes are absent, transitional fishes are common to uncommon, and warm water fishes are abundant to common. Headwater species are abundant to common, mainstem species are common to absent, and river species are absent.

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