Marathon, Wood
No
No
Yes
Fish and Aquatic Life
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
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
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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1420700 | McMillan Creek | 10040659 | McMillan Creek at McMillan Dr. (between Galvin and Stadt) | 7/31/2013 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
1420700 | McMillan Creek | 10035479 | McMillan Creek - Area of Open Water | 7/1/2010 | 8/7/2012 | Map | Data |
5541951 | Unnamed | 10035479 | McMillan Creek - Area of Open Water | 7/1/2010 | 8/7/2012 | Map | Data |
1420700 | McMillan Creek | 10041442 | McMillan Creek at N. Galvin Ave | 11/21/2013 | 11/21/2013 | Map | Data |
1420700 | McMillan Creek | 10017261 | McMillan Creek 200 Ft. Above Mcmillan Rd. | 12/3/1982 | 12/3/1982 | Map | Data |
1420700 | McMillan Creek | 373132 | McMillan Creek at Day Ave. | 5/8/2012 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
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![](wsWaterEcosystem.ashx?watershed=CW14)
Watershed Characteristics
McMillan Creek is located in the Little Eau Pleine River watershed which is 263.30 miĀ². 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.