Little Roche A Cri Creek, Little Roche A Cri Creek Watershed (CW01)
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Little Roche A Cri Creek, Little Roche A Cri Creek Watershed (CW01)
Little Roche A Cri Creek (1351100)
4.45 Miles
13.01 - 17.46
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 Mainstem, Cool-Warm Mainstem
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.
2024
Excellent
 
Adams
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 I Trout)
Streams supporting a cold water sport fishery, or serving as a spawning area for salmonids and other cold water fish species through natural reproduction. 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.
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

Little Roche-A-Cri Creek is classified as warm water sport fishery and a Class I, II, III trout fishery. Habitat improvement efforts including overhead cover, mid-channel cover, the creation of pool cover, as well as bank stabilization may expand the potential of the Class II portion of Little Roche-A-Cri Creek (River Mile 13.7 - 22.0).

Biotic index sampling in the spring and fall of 1979 indicated very good and good water quality. The upper portions of Little Roche-A-Cri Creek lie in the town of Richfield. This is a wind erosion control priority area. Ditches in the watershed lead to nutrient and pesticide loading. The city of Adams WWTP discharges effluent to Little Roche-A-Cri Creek

Date  2002

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

Little Roche-a-Cri Creek, T17N, R5E, Section 5 Surface Acres = 40,3, Miles = 13.3, Gradient = 6.2 feet per mile.
This is a clear, hard water stream that has a predominantly sand bottom. It flows in
a westerly direction to Castle Rock Lake. A dam at Friendship forms Friendship Lake.
Trout, northern pike, carp, and small forage fish species are the principal fishes in the
stream; however, largemouth bass and bluegills are present. All of that portion of stream
above Friendship Lake is considered trout water and it is managed for brook trout; however,
the stream has marsh drainage and it isn't until spring seepage and water from Fordham
Creek enter the stream that the best trout water is found. Past investigations indicate
considerable natural trout reproduction in this area of stream. Open water was found from
the eastern edge of Preston Township downstream to the mouth during the February, 1963,
aerial groundwater survey. There are over 2,400 acres of adjoining wetland and mostly at
the upper end of the stream . Beaver and muskrat are present. Mallard and wood ducks nest
along the stream, There are three dwellings along the stream, but this number may grow
as adjoining land has been subdivided into lots. Access is possible from a park in
Friendship and at several road crossings.

From: Klick, Thomas A. and C.W. Threinen. 1966. Surface Water Resources of Adams County:
Lake and Stream Classification Project. Wisconsin Conservation Department, Madison, WI.

Date  1966

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Little Roche A Cri Creek, Little Roche A Cri Creek Watershed (CW01) Fish and Aquatic LifeLittle Roche A Cri Creek, Little Roche A Cri Creek Watershed (CW01) RecreationLittle Roche A Cri Creek, Little Roche A Cri Creek Watershed (CW01) Fish Consumption

General Condition

Little Roche A Cri Creek (WBIC 1351100) from 10th Ave. to 8th Ave was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; new biological (fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scores) and 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
CW01 Little Roche-A-Cri mIBI Report
Comprehensive 2014 TP IBI Rivers Assessment
Little Roche A Cri WT 2010 Dams & Outfalls
Little Roche A Cri WT 2010 Land Use
Little Roche A Cri WT 2010 Map
Little Roche a Cri WT 2010 OERW & Impaired Waters
Little Roche a Cri Watershed Plan 2010 (CW01)
Adams County Surface Water Resources 1966

Recommendations

Citizen-Based Stream Monitoring
Collect chemical, physical, and/or biological water quality data to assess the current overall stream health. The data can inform management decisions and may be used to identify impaired waters for biennial lists.
Citizen-Based Stream Monitoring
Collect chemical, physical, and/or biological water quality data to assess the current overall stream health. The data can inform management decisions and may be used to identify impaired waters for biennial lists.
Citizen-Based Stream Monitoring
Collect chemical, physical, and/or biological water quality data to assess the current overall stream health. The data can inform management decisions and may be used to identify impaired waters for biennial lists.
Citizen-Based Stream Monitoring
Collect chemical, physical, and/or biological water quality data to assess the current overall stream health. The data can inform management decisions and may be used to identify impaired waters for biennial lists.
Citizen-Based Stream Monitoring
Collect chemical, physical, and/or biological water quality data to assess the current overall stream health. The data can inform management decisions and may be used to identify impaired waters for biennial lists.
Citizen-Based Stream Monitoring
Collect chemical, physical, and/or biological water quality data to assess the current overall stream health. The data can inform management decisions and may be used to identify impaired waters for biennial lists.
Citizen-Based Stream Monitoring
Collect chemical, physical, and/or biological water quality data to assess the current overall stream health. The data can inform management decisions and may be used to identify impaired waters for biennial lists.
Cost-Share Agreement
Adams County proposes to provide up to 75% of the cost of shoreland restoration practices to lake front property owners on Castle Rock Lake. Grant funds will be distributed to fund removal of sea walls, minor bank re-shaping, placement of rip-rap, establishment of vegetative buffers and implementation of individual stormwater management plans.
Monitor or Assess Watershed Condition
Monitor Targeted Area
Monitor Targeted Area
Conduct targeted monitoring on Little Roche-a-Cri Creek, including electrofishing for IBI determination, placement of temperature loggers and collection of macroinvertebrates.
Monitor to Evaluate Projects
Evaluate stations/data and river segments to determine if reduction of pollution from controllable factors is having an impact.
Monitor Baseline Survey
Conduct wadable baseline monitoring on watershed streams and lakes

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
Little Roche-A-Cri Creek at Friendship Park2008
ADAMS COUNTY: RES-Castle Rock Restoration2006
Little Roche-A-Cri Creek at 10th Ave2008
Little Roche-A-Cri Creek at CTH N (Level 2)2008
Little Roche-A-Cri Creek at Cypress Ave2009
Little Roche A Cri So. of Dakota Jct.2010
Little Roche-A-Cri Creek at CTH J2009
Little Roche-A-Cri Creek at 10th Ave (north of CTH J)2009
Little Roche A Cri Creek (CW01) Watershed Planning2009

Monitoring Projects

WBICOfficial Waterbody NameStation IDStation NameEarliest Fieldwork DateLatest Fieldwork DateView StationView Data
1351100Little Roche A Cri Creek10032104Little Roche-A-Cri at 10th Ave (#846)9/21/20078/29/2023MapData
1351100Little Roche A Cri Creek10040688Little Roche A Cri Creek at 8th Drive / Czech Ave.7/15/20139/17/2024MapData
1351100Little Roche A Cri Creek10040718Little Roche a Cri at 8th Ave.1/1/20155/19/2022MapData
1351100Little Roche A Cri Creek10028795Little Roche A Cri at 10th Ave5/23/20085/19/2022MapData

Watershed Characteristics

Little Roche A Cri Creek is located in the Little Roche A Cri Creek watershed which is 196.20 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (55.60%), agricultural (23.20%) and a mix of wetland (9.70%) and other uses (11.50%). This watershed has 108.40 stream miles, 12,554.07 lake acres and 18,156.97 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Medium 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.

Natural Community

Little Roche A Cri Creek is considered a Cool-Cold Mainstem, Cool-Warm Mainstem 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) Mainstem streams are moderate-to-large but still wadeable perennial streams with cold to cool summer temperatures. Coldwater fishes are common to uncommon, transitional fishes are abundant to common, and warm water fishes are uncommon to absent. Headwater species are common to absent, mainstem species are abundant to common, and river species are common to absent.