Leuten Creek, Yahara River and Lake Kegonsa Watershed (LR06)
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Leuten Creek, Yahara River and Lake Kegonsa Watershed (LR06)
Leuten Creek (802300)
3.01 Miles
0 - 3.01
Natural Community
Cool-Cold Headwater, Coldwater
Year Last Monitored
2023
Good
 
Dane
Trout Water 
No
Outstanding or Exceptional 
No
Impaired Water 
No

Fish and Aquatic Life

Current Use
Supported Aquatic Life
Attainable Use
LFF
Designated Use
WWSF

Overview

Leuten Creek is a 3 mile long, spring-fed tributary to the Yahara River, entering below Lake Kegonsa. The creek has a surface area of 2 acres, a gradient of 9.7 feet/mile and a baseflow of 3 cfs. The creek is surrounded by agricultural land with scattered residual wetlands. Although extensive ditching has destroyed most of the original wetlands and has disturbed the remainder, some migrating waterfowl frequent the area. Water quality is below average for the Dane County due to hydrologic modification, and non-point source pollution from cropland erosion. High turbidity and sedimentation have negatively impacted aquatic habitat in the creek. Leuten Creek was managed for trout in the 1950s but supports only a few species of forage fishes.

Date  2002

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

Leuten Creek -T6N, R11E, Sec. 28, Surface acres = 2, Length = 3 miles, Stream order = II, Gradient = 9.7 ft/mile, Base discharge = 3.0 cfs.
Leuten Creek is a small, spring-fed tributary to the Yahara River, entering below Lake Kegonsa. The watershed consists of agricultural land with scattered residual wetlands. Extensive ditching has destroyed most of the original wetlands and has disturbed the remainder. Some migrating waterfowl frequent the area. Water quality is below average for the county, because of agricultural influences. It was managed for trout in the 1950's but presently supports only a few species of forage fishes. Access is provided at four road crossings and from the Yahara River.
Fish species: no information available.

From: Day Elizabeth A.; Grzebieniak, Gayle P.; Osterby, Kurt M.; and Brynildson, Clifford L., 1985. Lake and Stream Classification Project. Surface Water Inventory of Dane County. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI

Date  1985

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.
Waters that support fish and aquatic life communities (healthy biological communities).
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 small populations of forage fish or tolerant macro-invertebrates that are tolerant of organic pollution. Typically limited due to naturally poor water quality or habitat deficiencies. Representative aquatic life communities associated with these waters generally require warm temperatures and concentrations of dissolved oxygen that remain above 3 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 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.