McMillan Creek, Little Eau Pleine River Watershed (CW14)
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McMillan Creek, Little Eau Pleine River Watershed (CW14)
McMillan Creek (1420700)
8.67 Miles
0 - 8.67
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, Cool-Warm 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.
2015
Poor
 
This river is impaired
Impairment Unknown
Total Phosphorus
 
Marathon, Wood
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.
No
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.
No
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.
Yes

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.
Restricted Aquatic Life
Fish and Aquatic Life communities are not fully supported in this ecosystem.
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.
Default FAL
Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.
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.
LFF
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.

Overview

Squaw Creek is now classified as a variance stream with an intermediate and marginal classification due to limited forage fishery or limited aquatic life. Sometimes the stream is quite turbid, probably due to urban run-off from Marshfield, as well as rapid surface run-off during rain because of the tight, silty soils in the area. There are also dense growths of algae and weeds in the stream, which indicate excessive nutrient levels. This may result in wide diurnal changes in dissolved oxygen levels. A family biotic index sample collected in 1990 indicated very good water quality.

Beginning where Squaw Creek enters section 33, T26N, R4E, the land use is mainly agricultural, which continues through the remainder of its length. Streambank pasturing is a major problem in this reach. Much of the streambank is trampled and pools are silted in.

A large gravel pit washing operation and ponds are located on and in Squaw Creek in the S½ of the NW¼, SEC 2, T25N R03E, in Wood County.

The headwaters of Squaw Creek are the storm sewer systems for the city of Marshfield with the first two miles below the city channelized into a wide ditch to improve drainage. Where the stream tries to return to its natural meander, the banks are caving in.

Kreitlow, James D. 1991. Upper Wisconsin River Central Sub-Basin Water Quality Management Plan. PUBL-WR-287-91-REV. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.

Date  2002

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

Squaw Creek is now classified as a variance stream with an intermediate and marginal classification due to limited forage fishery or limited aquatic life. Sometimes the stream is quite turbid, probably due to urban run-off from Marshfield, as well as rapid surface run-off during rain because of the tight, silty soils in the area. There are also dense growths of algae and weeds in the stream, which indicate excessive nutrient levels. This may result in wide diurnal changes in dissolved oxygen levels. A family biotic index sample collected in 1990 indicated very good water quality.
Beginning where Squaw Creek enters section 33, T26N, R4E, the land use is mainly agricultural, which continues through the remainder of its length. Streambank pasturing is a major problem in this reach. Much of the streambank is trampled and pools are silted in.
A large gravel pit washing operation and ponds are located on and in Squaw Creek in the S½ of the NW¼, SEC 2, T25N R03E, in Wood County.
The headwaters of Squaw Creek are the storm sewer systems for the city of Marshfield with the first two miles below the city channelized into a wide ditch to improve drainage. Where the stream tries to return to its natural meander, the banks are caving in.

Kreitlow, James D. 1991. Upper Wisconsin River Central Sub-Basin Water Quality Management Plan. PUBL-WR-287-91-REV. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.

Date  1991

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

McMillan Creek, Little Eau Pleine River Watershed (CW14) Fish and Aquatic LifeMcMillan Creek, Little Eau Pleine River Watershed (CW14) RecreationMcMillan Creek, Little Eau Pleine River Watershed (CW14) Fish Consumption

Impaired Waters

Squaw Creek (1420700) was placed on the impaired waters list in 2014 for total phosphorus. The 2016 assessments showed continued impairment by phosphorus; total phosphorus sample data exceed 2016 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use, however, available biological data do not indicate impairment (i.e. no 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

2020 Comprehensive WQ Assessments
Final Draft 2018 Impaired Waters List
Comprehensive 2018 River/Stream Water Quality Assessments
Comprehensive 2016 Rivers Stream Assessments
Comprehensive 2014 TP IBI Rivers Assessment
SQUAW CREEK, WOOD COUNTY, QUALITY FOODS USE DESIGNATION

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
1420700McMillan Creek10040659McMillan Creek at McMillan Dr. (between Galvin and Stadt)7/31/20131/1/2015MapData
1420700McMillan Creek10035479McMillan Creek - Area of Open Water7/1/20108/7/2012MapData
5541951Unnamed10035479McMillan Creek - Area of Open Water7/1/20108/7/2012MapData
1420700McMillan Creek10041442McMillan Creek at N. Galvin Ave11/21/201311/21/2013MapData
1420700McMillan Creek10017261McMillan Creek 200 Ft. Above Mcmillan Rd.12/3/198212/3/1982MapData
1420700McMillan Creek373132McMillan Creek at Day Ave.5/8/20121/1/2015MapData

Watershed Characteristics

McMillan Creek is located in the Little Eau Pleine River watershed which is 263.30 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (39%), wetland (23%) and a mix of forest (18%) and other uses (20.00%). This watershed has stream miles, lake acres and 38,285.37 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.

Natural Community

McMillan Creek is considered a Cool-Cold Headwater, Cool-Warm 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 (Warm-Transition) Headwaters are small, sometimes intermittent streams with cool to warm summer temperatures. Coldwater fishes are uncommon to absent, transitional fishes are abundant to common, and warm water fishes are common to uncommon. Headwater species are abundant to common, mainstem species are common to absent, and river species are absent.

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.