Water Detail - Apple Creek, Apple and Ashwaubenon Creeks Watershed (LF02)

Apple Creek, Apple and Ashwaubenon Creeks Watershed (LF02)

Return to Search

Apple Creek (124100)

Size

19.89 Miles

Segment

3.99 - 23.88

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.

Macroinvertebrate, Cool-Cold 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

General Condition

Poor

This river is impaired

Impairments include

Elevated Water Temperature, Low DO, Degraded Habitat

Pollutants include

Total Phosphorus, Sediment/Total Suspended Solids

County

Brown, Outagamie

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.

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.

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.

WWFF

Streams capable of supporting a warm waterdependent forage fishery. Representative aquatic life communities associated with these waters generally require cool or warm temperatures and concentrations of dissolved oxygen that do not drop below 5 mg/L.

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.

WWFF

Overview

Apple Creek, a 24-mile creek, is usually dry except for scattered pools near road crossings and toward the mouth of the river where it drains into the Fox River. Bottom materials are silt, rubble and gravel, with few boulders. As many streams in Brown County, this one is plagued by erosion. Cattle pasturing along streambanks and hills has caused heavy erosion and no vegetation. Macroinvertebrates indicate fairly poor water quality. Nonpoint source pollution, point source pollution and urban stormwater runoff singly or in combination cause sedimentation, low dissolved oxygen levels, all of which contribute to poor water quality. Dissolved oxygen and temperature were monitored to document swings in DO due to external factors like rain or plants. Violation of the 5 mg/l state DO standard occurred often. Low or no stream flow during critical summer months also plays a major role in limiting aquatic life in the watershed (Johnson 1996).

Bougie, Cheryl A. 1999. Lower Fox River Basin Water Quality Management Plan. Public Review Draft. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.

Date 1999

Author Cheryl Bougie

Historical Description

Apple Creek, T22N, R19E, Sec. 28(1), Gradient = 5.7 feet/mile.
Apple Creek i s an intermittent stream flowing through an agricultural watershed. The stream was dry
during August, 1971.

From: Nelson, Linden M. and Ronald L. Fassbender, 1972. Surface Water Resources of Outagamie County:
Lake and Stream Classification Project. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.

Date 1972

Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Apple Creek, Apple and Ashwaubenon Creeks Watershed (LF02) Fish and Aquatic Life

Apple Creek, Apple and Ashwaubenon Creeks Watershed (LF02) Recreation

Apple Creek, Apple and Ashwaubenon Creeks Watershed (LF02) Fish Consumption

Impaired Waters

The 2018 assessments of Apple Creek (miles 3.99-23.88) showed continued impairment by temperature; new temperature sample data exceeded 2018 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use. Based on the most updated information, no change in existing impaired waters listing is needed.

Date 2017

Author Ashley Beranek

Impaired Waters

The 2018 assessments of Apple Creek (miles 0-3.99) showed continued impairment by phosphorus; new total phosphorus sample data overwhelmingly exceeded the 2018 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use. Temperature data also exceeded thresholds. Available biological data did not indicate impairment (i.e. no macroinvertebrate or fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scored in the "poor" condition category). Based on the most updated information, no change in the existing impaired waters listing was needed.

Date 2017

Author Ashley Beranek

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

Apple Creek, Apple Creek 15m US UNT US CTH N, 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 Lower Fox River Basin TP and TSS TMDLs

Lower Fox River Basin TP TSS TMDL 2012

Apple Creek 124100 Impaired Waters Listing Documenation 2008 (Seg2, Miles 4-23.9)

Apple Creek 124100 Impaired Waters Listing Documentation 2008 (Seg 3, Miles 0-3.99)

APPLE CREEK, OUTAGAMIE COUNTY, TOWN OF VANDENBROEK WWTP USE DESIGNATION

Brown County Surface Water Resources 1972

Recommendations

Navigability Determination

; Apple Creek, trib;

Navigability Determination

NW S7 T21N R19E; Apple Creek, trib;

Navigability Determination

NW SW S34 T22N R19E; Apple Creek,trib;

Navigability Determination

NW NW S36 T22N R18E; Apple Creek, trib;

Navigability Determination

SE SW S1 T21N R17E; Apple Creek, trib;

TMDL (USEPA) Approved

Apple Creek TMDL Approved

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
Lower Fox River TMDL	2007
Outagamie Navigability	2008
CITY OF APPLETON: Apple Creek project	1999
Brown County Navigability	2008

Monitoring Projects

WBIC	Official Waterbody Name	Station ID	Station Name	Earliest Fieldwork Date	Latest Fieldwork Date	View Station	View Data
5020514	Unnamed	10053428	Apple Creek - Greiner & Holland	6/12/2018	8/23/2018	Map	Data
5021046	Unnamed	10053432	Apple Creek SW - I41 & Meade			Map	Data
5551100	Unnamed	10053441	Apple Creek SE - Progress			Map	Data
124200	Unnamed	10053446	Lower Apple Creek	9/28/2017	10/23/2018	Map	Data
5020150	Unnamed	10053446	Lower Apple Creek	9/28/2017	10/23/2018	Map	Data
5549975	Unnamed	10053446	Lower Apple Creek	9/28/2017	10/23/2018	Map	Data
5551403	Unnamed	10053437	Apple Creek West - French	8/23/2018	8/24/2018	Map	Data
5020897	Unnamed	10053439	Apple Creek S Central - Hickory	6/14/2018	8/24/2018	Map	Data
5021156	Unnamed	10053439	Apple Creek S Central - Hickory	6/14/2018	8/24/2018	Map	Data
124100	Apple Creek	10053430	Apple Creek West - Broadway	4/24/2018	8/30/2018	Map	Data
5021001	Unnamed	10053443	Apple Creek SE - Emery to Hasset	6/13/2018	6/13/2018	Map	Data
124100	Apple Creek	10053442	Upper Apple Creek	7/20/2018	8/24/2018	Map	Data
5551301	Unnamed	10053438	Apple Creek S Central - Bonnie	5/8/2018	10/23/2018	Map	Data
124100	Apple Creek	10020830	Apple Creek-Cth J Poor Site.	1/1/2015	11/1/2015	Map	Data
5551862	Unnamed	10053434	Apple Creek SW - N Lighthouse	8/23/2018	8/23/2018	Map	Data
5020224	Unnamed	10053428	Apple Creek - Greiner & Holland	6/12/2018	8/23/2018	Map	Data
5550577	Unnamed	10053428	Apple Creek - Greiner & Holland	6/12/2018	8/23/2018	Map	Data
5551819	Unnamed	10053432	Apple Creek SW - I41 & Meade			Map	Data
5549872	Unnamed	10053446	Lower Apple Creek	9/28/2017	10/23/2018	Map	Data
124100	Apple Creek	10053439	Apple Creek S Central - Hickory	6/14/2018	8/24/2018	Map	Data
5551473	Unnamed	10053439	Apple Creek S Central - Hickory	6/14/2018	8/24/2018	Map	Data
5551418	Unnamed	10053430	Apple Creek West - Broadway	4/24/2018	8/30/2018	Map	Data
124100	Apple Creek	10044064	Apple Creek 200 Meters DS Holland Road	1/1/2015	10/5/2015	Map	Data
124100	Apple Creek	10044012	Apple Creek 30 Meters US Garrity Road	1/1/2015	10/5/2015	Map	Data
5021184	Unnamed	10053438	Apple Creek S Central - Bonnie	5/8/2018	10/23/2018	Map	Data
5551473	Unnamed	10053438	Apple Creek S Central - Bonnie	5/8/2018	10/23/2018	Map	Data
124100	Apple Creek	053562	Apple Creek at Cth U	4/5/1999	10/24/2014	Map	Data
5020944	Unnamed	10053432	Apple Creek SW - I41 & Meade			Map	Data
5021184	Unnamed	10053432	Apple Creek SW - I41 & Meade			Map	Data
124600	Unnamed	10053445	Middle Apple Creek - Garrity	6/26/2018	8/24/2018	Map	Data
5020175	Unnamed	10053446	Lower Apple Creek	9/28/2017	10/23/2018	Map	Data
5020491	Unnamed	10053427	Apple Creek - Lau	4/24/2018	8/23/2018	Map	Data
5020807	Apple Creek	10053430	Apple Creek West - Broadway	4/24/2018	8/30/2018	Map	Data
5020887	Unnamed	10053430	Apple Creek West - Broadway	4/24/2018	8/30/2018	Map	Data
5551024	Unnamed	10053430	Apple Creek West - Broadway	4/24/2018	8/30/2018	Map	Data
124800	Unnamed	10053442	Upper Apple Creek	7/20/2018	8/24/2018	Map	Data
5020522	Unnamed	10053428	Apple Creek - Greiner & Holland	6/12/2018	8/23/2018	Map	Data
5550711	Unnamed	10053428	Apple Creek - Greiner & Holland	6/12/2018	8/23/2018	Map	Data
124100	Apple Creek	10053427	Apple Creek - Lau	4/24/2018	8/23/2018	Map	Data
5551026	Unnamed	10053430	Apple Creek West - Broadway	4/24/2018	8/30/2018	Map	Data
5551120	Unnamed	10053430	Apple Creek West - Broadway	4/24/2018	8/30/2018	Map	Data
124800	Unnamed	10053443	Apple Creek SE - Emery to Hasset	6/13/2018	6/13/2018	Map	Data
5020845	Unnamed	10053442	Upper Apple Creek	7/20/2018	8/24/2018	Map	Data
5020891	Unnamed	10053433	Apple Creek SW - E Drake	5/8/2018	10/23/2018	Map	Data
5021184	Unnamed	10053433	Apple Creek SW - E Drake	5/8/2018	10/23/2018	Map	Data
5020514	Unnamed	10053438	Apple Creek S Central - Bonnie	5/8/2018	10/23/2018	Map	Data
124100	Apple Creek	453079	Apple Creek at Cth Jj	8/9/1995	8/9/1995	Map	Data
5021184	Unnamed	10053434	Apple Creek SW - N Lighthouse	8/23/2018	8/23/2018	Map	Data
124100	Apple Creek	10053428	Apple Creek - Greiner & Holland	6/12/2018	8/23/2018	Map	Data
5021031	Unnamed	10053432	Apple Creek SW - I41 & Meade			Map	Data
124100	Apple Creek	10053441	Apple Creek SE - Progress			Map	Data
124200	Unnamed	10053441	Apple Creek SE - Progress			Map	Data
5551060	Unnamed	10053441	Apple Creek SE - Progress			Map	Data
5020136	Unnamed	10053446	Lower Apple Creek	9/28/2017	10/23/2018	Map	Data
5550990	Unnamed	10053437	Apple Creek West - French	8/23/2018	8/24/2018	Map	Data
5020948	Unnamed	10053439	Apple Creek S Central - Hickory	6/14/2018	8/24/2018	Map	Data
124100	Apple Creek	10051347	Apple Creek 15m US UNT US CTH N	7/18/2018	10/31/2024	Map	Data
124900	Unnamed	10053442	Upper Apple Creek	7/20/2018	8/24/2018	Map	Data
5020744	Unnamed	10053442	Upper Apple Creek	7/20/2018	8/24/2018	Map	Data
5551499	Unnamed	10053442	Upper Apple Creek	7/20/2018	8/24/2018	Map	Data
124100	Apple Creek	10053433	Apple Creek SW - E Drake	5/8/2018	10/23/2018	Map	Data
125000	Unnamed	10053438	Apple Creek S Central - Bonnie	5/8/2018	10/23/2018	Map	Data
5020673	Unnamed	10053438	Apple Creek S Central - Bonnie	5/8/2018	10/23/2018	Map	Data
5020835	Unnamed	10053438	Apple Creek S Central - Bonnie	5/8/2018	10/23/2018	Map	Data
5020859	Unnamed	10053438	Apple Creek S Central - Bonnie	5/8/2018	10/23/2018	Map	Data
5551403	Unnamed	10053438	Apple Creek S Central - Bonnie	5/8/2018	10/23/2018	Map	Data
5020922	Unnamed	10053434	Apple Creek SW - N Lighthouse	8/23/2018	8/23/2018	Map	Data
124100	Apple Creek	10020878	Apple Creek-150 Feet Below Bodde Rd.			Map	Data
5020499	Unnamed	10053428	Apple Creek - Greiner & Holland	6/12/2018	8/23/2018	Map	Data
5550580	Unnamed	10053428	Apple Creek - Greiner & Holland	6/12/2018	8/23/2018	Map	Data
5550609	Unnamed	10053428	Apple Creek - Greiner & Holland	6/12/2018	8/23/2018	Map	Data
5551496	Unnamed	10053441	Apple Creek SE - Progress			Map	Data
5021060	Unnamed	10053441	Apple Creek SE - Progress			Map	Data
124700	Unnamed	10053445	Middle Apple Creek - Garrity	6/26/2018	8/24/2018	Map	Data
5020390	Unnamed	10053445	Middle Apple Creek - Garrity	6/26/2018	8/24/2018	Map	Data
124300	Unnamed	10053446	Lower Apple Creek	9/28/2017	10/23/2018	Map	Data
5020240	Unnamed	10053446	Lower Apple Creek	9/28/2017	10/23/2018	Map	Data
5549819	Unnamed	10053446	Lower Apple Creek	9/28/2017	10/23/2018	Map	Data
5549840	Unnamed	10053446	Lower Apple Creek	9/28/2017	10/23/2018	Map	Data
5020673	Unnamed	10053437	Apple Creek West - French	8/23/2018	8/24/2018	Map	Data
5551328	Unnamed	10053430	Apple Creek West - Broadway	4/24/2018	8/30/2018	Map	Data
124100	Apple Creek	453256	Apple Creek at Hwy 55	5/2/1980	10/5/2015	Map	Data
124100	Apple Creek	10044065	Apple Creek 280 Meters DS French Road	1/1/2015	7/2/2015	Map	Data
5020875	Unnamed	10053432	Apple Creek SW - I41 & Meade			Map	Data
5020995	Unnamed	10053432	Apple Creek SW - I41 & Meade			Map	Data
124700	Unnamed	10053441	Apple Creek SE - Progress			Map	Data
124100	Apple Creek	10053445	Middle Apple Creek - Garrity	6/26/2018	8/24/2018	Map	Data
124400	Unnamed	10053446	Lower Apple Creek	9/28/2017	10/23/2018	Map	Data
5020704	Unnamed	10053437	Apple Creek West - French	8/23/2018	8/24/2018	Map	Data
5551013	Unnamed	10053437	Apple Creek West - French	8/23/2018	8/24/2018	Map	Data
124900	Unnamed	10053427	Apple Creek - Lau	4/24/2018	8/23/2018	Map	Data
5550793	Unnamed	10053430	Apple Creek West - Broadway	4/24/2018	8/30/2018	Map	Data
5020594	Unnamed	10053442	Upper Apple Creek	7/20/2018	8/24/2018	Map	Data
124100	Apple Creek	10053438	Apple Creek S Central - Bonnie	5/8/2018	10/23/2018	Map	Data
5550720	Unnamed	10053428	Apple Creek - Greiner & Holland	6/12/2018	8/23/2018	Map	Data
5020419	Unnamed	10053445	Middle Apple Creek - Garrity	6/26/2018	8/24/2018	Map	Data
5020594	Unnamed	10053445	Middle Apple Creek - Garrity	6/26/2018	8/24/2018	Map	Data
124100	Apple Creek	10053446	Lower Apple Creek	9/28/2017	10/23/2018	Map	Data
5550008	Unnamed	10053446	Lower Apple Creek	9/28/2017	10/23/2018	Map	Data
5020635	Unnamed	10053437	Apple Creek West - French	8/23/2018	8/24/2018	Map	Data
5550938	Unnamed	10053437	Apple Creek West - French	8/23/2018	8/24/2018	Map	Data
5550946	Unnamed	10053437	Apple Creek West - French	8/23/2018	8/24/2018	Map	Data
5551262	Unnamed	10053437	Apple Creek West - French	8/23/2018	8/24/2018	Map	Data
125000	Unnamed	10053439	Apple Creek S Central - Hickory	6/14/2018	8/24/2018	Map	Data
5020549	Unnamed	10053430	Apple Creek West - Broadway	4/24/2018	8/30/2018	Map	Data
124100	Apple Creek	10007908	Apple Creek - Weyers Rd Upstream	11/9/2000	8/1/2018	Map	Data

Watershed Characteristics

Apple Creek is located in the Apple and Ashwaubenon Creeks watershed which is 113.34 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (54.10%), suburban (18.30%) and a mix of grassland (12.30%) and other uses (15.40%). This watershed has 249.05 stream miles, 91.92 lake acres and 884.97 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

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

Apple Creek is considered a Macroinvertebrate, Cool-Cold 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.

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.

More Interactive Maps

View Water in Alternative Map