Anthony Branch, Badfish Creek Watershed (LR07)
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Anthony Branch, Badfish Creek Watershed (LR07)
Anthony Branch (801000)
2.59 Miles
0 - 2.59
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, Coldwater
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.
2023
Good
 
Dane
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.
Yes
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.
No

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

Rutland Branch This small spring-fed stream, which joins with the Oregon Branch to form Badfish Creek, supports trout and is designated an Exceptional Resource Water. The stream has a sand bottom with muck in the lower reaches and gravel in the upper reaches. While some channelization has occurred, the stream appears to be restoring itself. WDNR has acquired property adjacent the stream and is interested in at least two additional acquisitions. One acquisition would protect the large spring at the creek's headwaters and the other acquisition would protect five major and numerous minor springs that feed that creek and support the trout. Rutland Branch's water quality threat from agricultural polluted runoff is surpassed only by the threat from development in the watershed and ponding of the springs. Some headwater springs have been already been tapped for ponds. WDNR will continue to pursue acquisition and/or other protection for these important sources of the stream's good to excellent water quality. WDNR South Central Region staff recommend that no new permits be issued that would affect this important spring system.

The last biotic index monitoring, conducted in 1989 by MMSD, indicated fairly poor water quality with significant organic pollution (index of 6.76). This represented a decrease in water quality from the previous year's monitoring, despite state ownership of the adjacent land. Continued development pressures and cropland erosion could have been the cause for this result. Fish tissue monitoring for PCBs and pesticides in whole carp, and brown trout fillets was conducted during the summer of 1990. A habitat evaluation rating conducted in May, 1996 where County Trunk a crosses the stream provided a good rating. At that site visit blue herons, spring peepers, and brown trout were observed (Fix).

Date  2002

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

Rutland Branch (Anthony Branch) -T5N, RI0E, Sec. 16, Surface acres = 1.5, Length = 2 miles, Stream order = I, Gradient = 25.6 ft/mile, Base discharge = 6.8 cfs.
Rutland Branch is a small, spring-fed tributary which joins the Oregon Branch to form Badfish Creek. It drains about 6 square miles of wet meadow, pasture, and cropland. Rutland Branch was heavily ditched in the 1940's and 1950's but has since recovered from this disturbance (Dane Cty. Reg. Pl, Comm. 1979a). A modest wild brown trout population now nhabits the creek. Its substrate is mostly sand and gravel with little silt. Although it receives no municipal or industrial discharge, the creek is subject to agricultural runoff problems. Conductivity is somewhat higher than normal for Dane County streams. Access is available at Hwy. A. Fish species: brook lamprey, rainbow and brown trout, central mudminnow, hornyhead chub, fathead minnow, creek chub, white sucker, brook stickleback, johnny darter, and mottled sculpin.

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

Anthony Branch, Badfish Creek Watershed (LR07) Fish and Aquatic LifeAnthony Branch, Badfish Creek Watershed (LR07) RecreationAnthony Branch, Badfish Creek Watershed (LR07) Fish Consumption

General Condition

Rutland Branch (Anthony Branch) was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; new temperature 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

2020 Comprehensive WQ Assessments
2018 List of Healthy (Category 2) Waters
Comprehensive 2018 River/Stream Water Quality Assessments
Comprehensive 2016 Rivers Stream Assessments
Anthony Branch Trout Map 2004

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

Monitoring Projects

WBICOfficial Waterbody NameStation IDStation NameEarliest Fieldwork DateLatest Fieldwork DateView StationView Data
801100Unnamed10054721Rutland Branch - Headwater Spring to County Highway A8/26/20208/26/2020MapData
801000Rutland Br10013297Rutland Branch (Anthony) 1MapData
801000Rutland Br10012037Rutland Br - Upstream Of Cty Rd. A5/28/201410/28/2023MapData
801000Rutland Br10054721Rutland Branch - Headwater Spring to County Highway A8/26/20208/26/2020MapData
801000Rutland Br10013298Rutland Branch (Anthony) 2MapData
801000Rutland Br10056752Anthony Br - Wildlife Area Parking LotMapData

Watershed Characteristics

Rutland Br is located in the Badfish Creek watershed which is 84.21 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (64.30%), grassland (12.70%) and a mix of wetland (7.80%) and other uses (15.20%). This watershed has 78.94 stream miles, 217.98 lake acres and 3,799.54 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Medium for runoff impacts on streams, Not Ranked 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

Anthony Branch is considered a Cool-Cold Headwater, Coldwater 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.