Dodge, Jefferson
No
No
Yes
Fish and Aquatic Life
Historical Description
Maunesha River (Waterloo Creek) -T8N, RI2E, Sec. 12, Surface acres = 85, Length = 20 miles, Stream order = III, Gradient = 5.8 ft/mile, Base discharge = 67 cfs.
This large stream drains parts of Columbia, Dane, Jefferson, and Dodge Counties, and empties into the Crawfish River in Dodge County. Much of the watershed in Dane County is ditched and drained wetland. A large percentage is in cropland and soil loss is high. Deansvllle Marsh is a large, slightly disturbed wetland adjoining the river. The Department of Natural Resources owns 1,459 acres in the marsh, including 4 miles of frontage on the river. This area provides hunting for pheasants, waterfowl, small game, and deer. Impoundments are found above the Villages of Marshall and Waterloo (Jefferson County). Siltation and agricultural runoff are problems above the Marshall Millpond but water quality is good. Below the Village of Marshall water quality is poor due to the fact that the Marshall wastewater treatment plant is presently overloaded. A new plant Is scheduled for completion In June 1983.
The rIver has been chemically treated to remove rough fish several times in the past and largemouth bass, northern pike, channel catfish, and walleye were restocked. The bass and northern pike have some good survival and growth rates, but informatIon on the catfish and walleye has been unattainable. Carp, bullheads, panfish, and forage species are also present. The possibility of developing a smallmouth bass fishery above Marshall Millpond has been suggested but is not likely. Access is avaIlable at numerous road crossings, at one county park which has a boat ramp, and through the publIc lands in the Deansvllle Marsh. The Deansvllle Marsh is a popular huntIng area for deer, rabbits, and pheasants.
Fish species: central mudminnow, northern pike, common carp, central stoneroller, common shiner, southern redbelly dace, bluntnose and fathead minnow, creek chub. white sucker, yellow bullhead, blackstrlpe topminnow. green sunfish, pumpkinseed, bluegill, largemouth bass, and fantail darter.
From: Day Elizabeth A.; Grzebieniak, Gayle P.; Osterby, Kurt M.; and Brynildson, Clifford L., 1985. Lake and Stream Classification Project. Surface Water Resources of Dane County, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI
Date 1985
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
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
Recommendations
Habitat Restoration - Instream
The City of Waterloo will reconnect existing fragmented river sections within the Maunesha River by removing the Ball Park Dam in the City of Waterloo in order to improve fish migration, species diversity and habitat, navigation, and water quality A full description of the project scope and deliverables is available in the grant application which is part of this agreement. The City will disseminate information to the public as described in the grant application.
Dam Safety or Removal
The City of Waterloo will reconnect existing fragmented river sections within the Maunesha River by removing the Ball Park Dam in the City of Waterloo in order to improve fish migration, species diversity and habitat, navigation, and water quality A full description of the project scope and deliverables is available in the grant application which is part of this agreement. The City will disseminate information to the public as described in the grant application.
Dam Safety or Removal
The City of Waterloo will reconnect existing fragmented river sections within the Maunesha River by removing the Ball Park Dam in the City of Waterloo in order to improve fish migration- species diversity and habitat- navigation- and water quality A full description of the project scope and deliverables is available in the grant application which is part of this agreement. The City will disseminate information to the public as described in the grant application.
Dam Safety or Removal
The City of Waterloo will reconnect existing fragmented river sections within the Maunesha River by removing the Ball Park Dam in the City of Waterloo in order to improve fish migration, species diversity and habitat, navigation, and water quality A full description of the project scope and deliverables is available in the grant application which is part of this agreement. The City will disseminate information to the public as described in the grant application.
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
Monitoring Projects
| WBIC | Official Waterbody Name | Station ID | Station Name | Earliest Fieldwork Date | Latest Fieldwork Date | View Station | View Data |
|---|
| 837500 | Maunesha River | 10013097 | Maunesha River Upstream Sth. 19 | 10/19/2010 | 6/12/2023 | Map | Data |
| 837500 | Maunesha River | 10008406 | Maunesha River Upstream of bridge on Hendrick's St | 11/8/2001 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
| 837500 | Maunesha River | 10043932 | Maunesha River - Fireman Park walking bridge | 6/18/2019 | 6/18/2019 | Map | Data |
|
Watershed Characteristics
Maunesha River is located in the Maunesha River watershed which is 126.02 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (65.60%), wetland (11.80%) and a mix of grassland (10.90%) and other uses (11.70%). This watershed has 214.16 stream miles, 73.72 lake acres and 9,637.67 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked Low for runoff impacts on streams, Low 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.