Apple Creek, Apple and Ashwaubenon Creeks Watershed (LF02)
Apple Creek, Apple and Ashwaubenon Creeks Watershed (LF02)
Apple Creek (124100)
19.89 Miles
3.99 - 23.88
Macroinvertebrate, Cool-Cold Headwater, Cool-Warm Headwater
2024
Poor
 
This river is impaired
Elevated Water Temperature, Low DO, Degraded Habitat
Total Phosphorus, Sediment/Total Suspended Solids
 

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

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.
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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.
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Fish and Aquatic Life communities are not fully supported in this ecosystem.
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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.
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.
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.