Water Detail - Parsons Creek, Fond du Lac River Watershed (UF03)

Parsons Creek, Fond du Lac River Watershed (UF03)

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Parsons Creek (136000)

Size

0.91 Miles

Segment

2.58 - 3.49

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

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

Good

County

Fond Du Lac

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.

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.

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.

Supported Aquatic Life

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

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

Parsons Creek (WBIC 136000) is a small cold to coolwater tributary to the East Branch of the Fond du Lac River. The stream, originating along the Niagara escarpment, is designated as Class I trout water for 1.9 miles of its length and is an Exceptional Resource Water. An additional 2.4 miles of the stream is classified as Class II trout waters (DNR, 1980). The segment upstream from Hickory Road flows from some main springs down through a wetland complex and a small county park (Hobbs Woods) and appears to have good water quality though heavily impacted by habitat modifications (Reif, 2009). Downstream from Hickory Road, Parsons Creek was, at one time, heavily impacted by agricultural practices, particularly barnyard runoff and excessive grazing along the streams banks. These impacts were addressed as part of a Priority Watershed project of the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Date 2011

Author Michael Reif

Parsons Creek, Fond du Lac River Watershed (UF03) Fish and Aquatic Life

Parsons Creek, Fond du Lac River Watershed (UF03) Recreation

Parsons Creek, Fond du Lac River Watershed (UF03) Fish Consumption

Impaired Waters

Parsons Creek, from its mouth to CTH B (mile 0-2.58) was put on the impaired waters list in 2002 for sediment, phosphorus, and degraded habitat. A TMDL was created for these listings and approved in 2006. Evaluation of phosphorus in 2018 confirmed high levels.

Parsons Creek, from CTH B to Parsons Creek feeder (mile 2.58-5.68) was evaluated every two-year cycle from 2018 to 2022; chloride, temperature, bugs, and fish data showed good conditions. This stream segment is on the Healthy Waters List.

Parsons Creek, from Parsons Creek feeder creek to headwaters (mile 3.49-5.68), was placed on the impaired waters list for sediment causing degraded habitat in the 2020 cycle. This listing is addressed by Upper Fox & Wolf River Basins TMDL.

Date 2022

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

Parsons Creek 136000_33692 TMDL Information for NTTS

2007 Stream Monitoring Report For Parsons Creek At Hickory Rd And Cth B

Update for New Impaired Water Listings: Total Maximum Daily Loads for Total Phosphorus and Total Suspended Solids Upper Fox and Wolf Basins

Parsons Creek, Parsons Creek Upstream Hickory Rd, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

2020 Comprehensive WQ Assessments

Parsons Creek, Parsons Creek Upstream Hickory Rd, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

2018 List of Healthy (Category 2) Waters

Final Draft 2018 Impaired Waters List

Parsons Creek, Parsons Creek Upstream Hickory Rd, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Lower Peshtigo Watershed TWA (2014, 2015) Draft Report 2017

Parsons Creek US Hickory Roadd-Hobbs Woods NC Verification 2016 D. Bolha

Comprehensive 2018 River/Stream Water Quality Assessments

Parsons Creek at Church Street NC Verification D. Bolha 2014-15

Parsons Creek, Parsons Creek Upstream Hickory Rd, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Comprehensive 2016 Rivers Stream Assessments

Comprehensive 2014 TP IBI Rivers Assessment

USEPA Decision Document for the Approval of the Parsons Creek Watershed TMDL 136000 33692

Parsons Creek Watershed Nutrient and Sediment TMDL

PARSONS CREEK FY07 303D MONITORING PROPOSAL

PARSONS CR. APRIL 11 2006 MACROINVERT. SAMPLING AND TIDBIT INSTALLATION

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

Information and Education

In 2008, the Department of Natural Resources focused staff time and resources on migrating its assessment datasets from stand-alone excel workbooks to the WATERS database. Due to this effort, the DNR did not write up a narrative Water Quality Report to Congress. In 2008, the department delisted a number of waters from its imipaired waters list. http://dnr.wi.gov/water/impairedSearch.aspx?priority=delisted_2008

Navigability Determination

NE NE S15 T14N R17E`; East Branch Fond du Lac River;

TMDL Development

Parsons Creek is currently being impacted by sediment, phosphorus, and ammonia. Due to excessive inputs of sediment and nutrients, Parsons Creek is experiencing degraded habitat, sedimentation, and aquatic toxicity due to high ammonia levels. On the 2006 303(d) Impaired Waters list, Parsons Creek is listed for the following: (1) Pollutants: Sediment, Nutrients (phosphorus, ammonia) (2) Impairments: Sediment, Degraded Habitat, Aquatic Toxicity (ammonia)

TMDL Implementation

An implementation plan for Parsons Creek should be developed and implemented to remove the Creek from the 303(d) impaired waters list. This TMDL addresses 8 TMDLs for 4 waterbody segments and 9 impairments from the 2006 and upcoming 2008 Wisconsin 303(d) list. Implementation Plan is needed.

Monitor or Propose 303(d) Listing

Elevated Temperatures, Degraded Habitat - TMDL prepared from field work during summer months. The unnamed tributary to Meeme River (Osman Trib) is listed as an impaired water of the state. These data are being collected for evaluation with the Tiered and Aquatic Life Use method currently under development.

TMDL (USEPA) Approved

EPA finds that the TMDL for Parsons Creek watershed satisfies all of the elements of an approvable TMDL. This TMDL approval addresses 8 TMDLs for 4 waterbody segments and 9 impairments from the 2006 and upcoming 2008 Wisconsin 303(d) list.

Monitor and/or Protect Groundwater, Sourcewater

Groundwater Protection Areas need to be formally identified for the springs that feed Parsons Creek and the unnamed tributary.

Habitat Restoration - Instream

Instream habitat in Parsons Creek, specifically Hobbs Woods County Park, should be restored and improved to support trout populations.

Trout Classification Mgmt

Parsons Creek is classified as a Class I to Class II trout stream. At present it does not sufficiently support a significant and/or reproducing brook trout population due to extensive habitat modifications and wetland degradation. Habitat improvements and wetland restoration projects should be undertaken to improve conditions.

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
Parsons Creek At Upper End Hobbs Woods	2010
Clean Water Act 2008	2008
Parsons Creek Upstream Hickory Rd	2012
Parsons Creek at Hickory Rd and CTH B	2007
Fond du Lac Navigability	2008
Osman/Parsons TMDL	2006
Parsons Creek TMDL	2016
Fish Propagation Actions	2001

Monitoring Projects

WBIC	Official Waterbody Name	Station ID	Station Name	Earliest Fieldwork Date	Latest Fieldwork Date	View Station	View Data
136000	Parsons Creek	10034213	Parsons Creek - at CTHY B	1/1/2015	1/1/2015	Map	Data
136000	Parsons Creek	203102	Parsons Creek Upstream Hickory Rd	5/7/1996	11/6/2024	Map	Data
136000	Parsons Creek	203104	Parsons Creek - 100 Feet Above Cth B	10/30/1997	10/27/2015	Map	Data
136000	Parsons Creek	10020686	Parsons Creek At Hickory Rd And Cth B	5/9/2005	1/1/2015	Map	Data
136000	Parsons Creek	203103	Parsons Creek - Middle Site Near Fond Du Lac WI	10/30/1997	7/19/2005	Map	Data
136000	Parsons Creek	10010626	Parsons Creek - 3			Map	Data
136000	Parsons Creek	10010625	Parsons Creek - 2			Map	Data
136000	Parsons Creek	10014499	Parsons Creek Upstream Of Cth B	10/28/1999	1/1/2015	Map	Data
136000	Parsons Creek	10014776	Parsons Creek At Hickory Rd.	1/1/2015	1/1/2015	Map	Data

Watershed Characteristics

Parsons Creek is located in the Fond du Lac River watershed which is 244.74 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (57.30%), grassland (15.90%) and a mix of wetland (10.90%) and other uses (16.00%). This watershed has 461.86 stream miles, 991.41 lake acres and 16,649.99 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

Parsons Creek is considered a Cool-Cold 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 (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.

Fisheries & Habitat

Parsons Creek (WBIC 136000) is a cold water stream in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin. Although only the lower stretch of Parsons Creek, from its confluence with the East Branch of the Fond du Lac River to mile 2.58, is currently listed on the 303(d) Impaired Waters List, the upper reaches and the tributary entering Parsons Creek from the east (an unnamed branch referenced here as the East Tributary) are both impacted to the extent that they are not meeting their potential uses, and both contribute significantly to the impairments experienced downstream. In fact, the entire remaining upstream portion of Parsons Creek and the East Tributary will be submitted for inclusion on the 303(d) List during the upcoming 2008 listing cycle.

The entire 4.7 miles of Parsons Cr. and the 3 miles of the East Tributary to Parsons Creek are codified as Cold Water Communities, as either Class I or II trout waters (DNR, 1980). However, neither the segment in Hobb’s Woods that is listed as impaired nor the East Tributary are currently meeting these codified uses, and improvements can be made to the other segments that will benefit water quality and habitat in the entire watershed.

Date 2007

Author Aquatic Biologist

Fisheries & Habitat

Class 2: From above CTH B to junction of the two feeder streams.
Class 1: Both feeder streams.

Date 1980

Author Aquatic Biologist

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