Beaver Creek, Beaver Dam River Watershed (UR03)
Beaver Creek, Beaver Dam River Watershed (UR03)
Beaver Creek (836500)
14.86 Miles
0 - 14.86
Warm Headwater, COOL-Warm Headwater
2025
Poor
 
This river is impaired
Degraded Biological Community
Total Phosphorus
 

Overview

Beaver Creek is the main waterbody that flows through this watershed. It is a 14-mile long low gradient tributary that has its origin west of the Village of Randolph and flows 6 miles southwest before turning northeast in the Paradise Marsh Wildlife area and flowing another 8 miles until it joins Beaver Dam Lake.

Beaver Creek rises in the Paradise Marsh Wildlife Area and is a tributary to Beaver Dam Lake. Cultivation and poor land management practices are extensive in this subwatershed. An intensive nonpoint source management effort is needed to improve the condition of the stream so that it can support a warm water sport fishery (WDNR, 1991).

From: Johnson, Ruth C., 2002. The State of the Rock River Basin. Upper Rock River Watershed Management Plans. PUBL # WT-668b-2002. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI. and 2020 Beaver Dam TWA Report, Amrhein.

Date  2002

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

Beaver Creek is a small, low gradient stream tributary to Beaver Dam Lake in Dodge
County. The headwaters tributaries exhibit parallel drainage disciplined by
drumlins oriented in a northeast-southwest direction. Since wetland swale
drainage is the prime water source fluctuating water levels are an annual
problem. Under optimum conditions the stream supports forage species.
About five miles of stream have been straightened to speed drainage. Access
is possible at four highway crossings. A large 424-acre wetland extends for
several miles in the main stream valley. T12N, R12E, Section 24, Surface Acres = 8.13, Miles = 6.1, Gradient = 2.46 feet per mile.

From: Poff, Ronald J. and C.W. Threinen, 1965. Surface Water Resources of Columbia County: Lake and Stream Classification Project. Wisconsin Department of Conservation, Madison, WI.

Date  1965

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Fish and Aquatic Life communities are not fully supported in this ecosystem.
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.
Streams capable of supporting a warm waterdependent sport 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.
Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.