17.47 Miles
0 - 17.47
Macroinvertebrate, Cool-Cold Headwater, Coldwater
2019
Poor
Degraded Biological Community
Total Phosphorus
Clark, Wood
No
No
Yes
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
South Branch of Yellow River T25N, R1E, S24, Surface Acres = 3.5, Miles = 3.8, Gradient = 4.7 feet per mile.
The South Branch of the Yellow River is a light brown colored, medium hard water stream that flows southeast into Wood County where it joins the Yellow River. During the 1964 investigation, over one-half of its length had intermittent flow in Clark County. One landowner stated that the water level was the lowest he has seen it since the drought in the 1930's. Primarily a panfish-forage fish habitat. It is likely that carp are present. Furbearers are found and there is trapping for muskrat and mink. Waterfowl are present. About 89 percent of land in the watershed has been cleared. There is no public frontage along the stream. Access is possible from several road crossings. During the investigation, there was continuous stream flow at the lower four crossings.
From: Klick, Thomas A. and C.W. Threinen, 1965. Surface Water Resources of Clark County: Lake and Stream Classification Project. Wisconsin Conservation Department, Madison, WI.
Date 1965
Author Aquatic Biologist
Impaired Waters
The South Branch Yellow River (1372600) was listed for total phosphorus in 2014. The 2016 assessments showed continued impairment by phosphorus; total phosphorus sample data overwhelmingly exceeded 2016 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use and biological impairment was observed (i.e. at least one macroinvertebrate or fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scored in the poor condition category). Based on the most updated information, no change in existing impaired waters listing is needed.
Date 2015
Author Aaron Larson
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
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 |
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Monitoring Projects
| WBIC | Official Waterbody Name | Station ID | Station Name | Earliest Fieldwork Date | Latest Fieldwork Date | View Station | View Data |
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| 1372600 | South Branch Yellow River | 10033546 | South Branch Yellow River at Heath Rd | 5/18/2011 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
| 1372600 | South Branch Yellow River | 10033543 | South Branch Yellow River at Panther Creek Rd | 5/18/2011 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
| 1372600 | South Branch Yellow River | 10033550 | South Branch Yellow River at Meridian Ave | 5/18/2011 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
| 1372600 | South Branch Yellow River | 10033545 | South Branch Yellow River at CTH H | 5/18/2011 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
| 1372600 | South Branch Yellow River | 10033540 | South Branch Yellow at FairHaven Ave | 5/18/2011 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
| 1372600 | South Branch Yellow River | 723147 | Yellow River South Branchat Cth Bb | 9/26/1990 | 9/28/2006 | Map | Data |
| 1372600 | South Branch Yellow River | 10017421 | South Branch Yellow River | 4/26/2007 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
| 1372600 | South Branch Yellow River | 723161 | Yellow River North Branch - Hwy Bb 25 Feet Above Bridge | | | Map | Data |
| 1372600 | South Branch Yellow River | 10020616 | South Branch Yellow River Upstream Cty Rd Bb | | | Map | Data |
| 1372600 | South Branch Yellow River | 10048579 | South Branch Yellow River by Ebbe Park | 5/28/2017 | 9/6/2019 | Map | Data |
| 1372600 | South Branch Yellow River | 10033542 | South Branch Yellow at Hiline Rd | 5/18/2011 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
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Watershed Characteristics
South Branch Yellow River is located in the Upper Yellow (Wood Co.) River watershed which is 212.95 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (42%), forest (22.40%) and a mix of wetland (17%) and other uses (18.60%). This watershed has stream miles, lake acres and 22,147.27 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked High for runoff impacts on streams, High 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.
Yellow River-S. Branch is considered a Macroinvertebrate, 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.