Sheboygan
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No
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Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
WEEDENS CREEK, SHEBOYGAN COUNTY
T15N R23E Sec. 32 SWSW Stream Length = 5.9 miles WBIC = 50800
Weedens Creek originates in a large wetland at T14N, R23E, S19 and 20, and flows north through agricultural land interspersed with a few small woodlots before it enters the Sheboygan River in the Blackwolf Run golf course north of STH 28 in Kohler. The Aldrich Chemical Company is near the headwaters, but does not discharge to surface waters. Weedens Creek has been reclassified in accordance with the Sheboygan River Basin Areawide Water Quality Management Plan (1988) recommendations and previous triennial standards reviews for the Sheboygan River basin. Weedens Creek was previously classified in two segments; the first segment (stream miles 0.0-2.3) as a warm water sport fishery, and the second segment (stream miles 2.3-5.9) as capable of supporting limited aquatic life (WDNR 1980). After completion of the recent appraisal, the creek was reclassified as warm water forage fishery for its entire length (WDNR 1990).
On May 17, 1998 a major fish kill occurred on Weedens Creek. Manure spread in a field in the headwaters area reached the stream via a drain tile resulting in a complete kill of the stream all the way to the Sheboygan River (Galarneau 1998). Prior to this fish kill, 23 species of fish have been collected in Weedens Creek (Table 24).
Collections of young of year smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, northern pike, and sunfishes indicate that Weedens Creek may be an important nursery for these game fish species. This creek also supports seasonal runs of salmon from the Sheboygan River.
The dominant invertebrates collected in the spring 1992, assessments were the beetle Optioservus sp., the isopod Asellus intermedius, and blackfly Simulium verecundum. The macroinvertebrate community was nearly wiped out by the May 17, 1998 manure runoff as well. Macroinvertebrate sampling at numerous sites resulted in a few live sow bugs (Asellus sp.), riffle beetles, and a single live caddisfly. Leeches and crayfish were also killed.
Factors limiting the creek's potential include fish kills, loss of wildlife habitat, loss of fish and invertebrate habitat, sedimentation, nutrients, and flashy flows. Sources include improper manure spreading, channelization, wetland drainage, cropland runoff, streambank erosion, drain tiles, and low flow. Sedimentation is excessive and limits habitat for aquatic life.
Date 2001
Author Aquatic Biologist
Overview
WEEDENS CREEK, SHEBOYGAN COUNTY - T15N R23E Sec. 32, Stream Length = 5.9.
Weedens Creek originates in a large wetland at T14N, R23E, S19 and 20, and flows north through agricultural land interspersed with a few small woodlots before it enters the Sheboygan River in the Blackwolf Run golf course north of STH 28 in Kohler. The Aldrich Chemical Company is near the headwaters, but does not discharge to surface waters. Weedens Creek has been reclassified in accordance with the Sheboygan River Basin Areawide Water Quality Management Plan (1988) recommendations and previous triennial standards reviews for the Sheboygan River basin. Weedens Creek was previously classified in two segments; the first segment (stream miles 0.0-2.3) as a warm water sport fishery, and the second segment (stream miles 2.3-5.9) as capable of supporting limited aquatic life (WDNR 1980). After completion of the recent appraisal, the creek was reclassified as warm water forage fishery for its entire length (WDNR 1990).
On May 17, 1998 a major fish kill occurred on Weedens Creek. Manure spread in a field in the headwaters area reached the stream via a drain tile resulting in a complete kill of the stream all the way to the Sheboygan River (Galarneau 1998). Prior to this fish kill, 23 species of fish have been collected in Weedens Creek. Collections of young of year smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, northern pike, and sunfishes indicate that Weedens Creek may be an important nursery for these game fish species. This creek also supports seasonal runs of salmon from the Sheboygan River.
The dominant invertebrates collected in the spring 1992, assessments were the beetle Optioservus sp., the isopod Asellus intermedius, and blackfly Simulium verecundum. The macroinvertebrate community was nearly wiped out by the May 17, 1998 manure runoff as well. Macroinvertebrate sampling at numerous sites resulted in a few live sow bugs (Asellus sp.), riffle beetles, and a single live caddisfly. Leeches and crayfish were also killed.
Factors limiting the creek's potential include fish kills, loss of wildlife habitat, loss of fish and invertebrate habitat, sedimentation, nutrients, and flashy flows. Sources include improper manure spreading, channelization, wetland drainage, cropland runoff, streambank erosion, drain tiles, and low flow. Sedimentation is excessive and limits habitat for aquatic life.
From: Galarneau, Steve and Masterson, John. 1999. Water Resources of the Sheboygan River Basin. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.
Date 1999
Author Aquatic Biologist
General Condition
Weedens Creek was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; new biological (macroinvertebrate and fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scores) sample data were clearly below the 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Fish and Aquatic Life use. This water was meeting this designated use and was not considered impaired.
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
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 |
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Monitoring Projects
| WBIC | Official Waterbody Name | Station ID | Station Name | Earliest Fieldwork Date | Latest Fieldwork Date | View Station | View Data |
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| 50800 | Weedens Creek | 605035 | Weedens Creek (Weedons) - Headwaters - (Tributary to Sheboygan River) | | | Map | Data |
| 50800 | Weedens Creek | 10031564 | Weedens Creek - Upstream of CTHY A | 7/27/2010 | 11/10/2016 | Map | Data |
| 50800 | Weedens Creek | 10015600 | Weedens Creek Upstream Of Sth 28 | 10/28/2010 | 11/10/2016 | Map | Data |
| 50800 | Weedens Creek | 603317 | Weeden Creek - Ds Of Sth 28 Wc001 | 8/21/1991 | 5/23/2001 | Map | Data |
| 50800 | Weedens Creek | 603481 | Weedens Creek at Kohler WI | 10/28/1987 | 10/17/2001 | Map | Data |
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Watershed Characteristics
Weedens Creek is located in the Sheboygan River watershed which is 260.12 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (47.30%), grassland (17.60%) and a mix of wetland (16.70%) and other uses (18.30%). This watershed has 340.24 stream miles, 4,345.33 lake acres and 27,968.05 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked Not Available 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.