Water Detail - Little Baraboo River, Crossman Creek and Little Baraboo River Watershed (LW23)

Little Baraboo River, Crossman Creek and Little Baraboo River Watershed (LW23)

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Little Baraboo River (1282500)

Size

4.85 Miles

Segment

11.93 - 16.78

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-Cold Headwater

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.

2018

General Condition

Excellent

County

Sauk

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.

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.

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

The Little Baraboo River begins from springs in Vernon County. The river then flows east
through Sauk County to the Baraboo River at LaValle. In the upper 7 miles, 4.5 are
considered to be a Class II trout stream. These upper 4.5 miles support native brook trout,
though habitat and water quality are thought to be fair. The rest of the river is considered to be
a warm water forage fishery. The stream is affected by nonpoint sources of pollution,
particularly those associated with agriculture. Surveys conducted in 1999 found water quality
in the trout area of the river to be of fair quality for cold water species. Other surveys found
the river to be of fair quality for warm water species as well. Instream habitat work on the
Little Baraboo had little positive effect on the overall health of the stream. In addition,
despite the priority watershed efforts, the overall health of the aquatic resource is at a low
level.

Ripp, Coreen, Koperski, Cindy and Folstad, Jason. 2002. The State of the Lower Wisconsin River Basin.
PUBL WT-559-2002. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.

Date 2002

Author Cynthia Koperski

Historical Description

Little Baraboo River, T13N, R1E, Section 25. Surface Acres = 0.3, Miles = 0.7, Gradient = 66.7 feet per mile.
This clear. hard water stream flows in a southeasterly direction and joins the Baraboo River in Rich1and County. White suckers. creek chubs and central stonero11ers makeup the fishery. Gravel is
the dominant bottom type. but there are small amounts of sand, boulder, clay, detritus, and silt. One road crossing in Vernon County provides access. There is no significant wildlife value.

From: Klick, Thomas A. and Threinen, C.W., 1973. Lake and Stream Classification Project. Surface Water Resources of Vernon County, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.

Date 1973

Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Little Baraboo River, Crossman Creek and Little Baraboo River Watershed (LW23) Fish and Aquatic Life

Little Baraboo River, Crossman Creek and Little Baraboo River Watershed (LW23) Recreation

Little Baraboo River, Crossman Creek and Little Baraboo River Watershed (LW23) Fish Consumption

Impaired Waters

Little Baraboo River (1282500), from its mouth to Rott Rd, was placed on the impaired waters list for total phosphorus in 2014. The 2016 assessments showed continued impairment by phosphorus; total phosphorus sample data exceed 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). This water was also assessed for temperature and sample data did not exceed 2016 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use. 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

Little Baraboo River, Little Baraboo River 215m US from CTH EE, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Little Baraboo River, Little Baraboo River at Beier Rd. Up To Woolever Rd., Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Little Baraboo River, Little Baraboo River at Henderson Rd, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

2018 List of Healthy (Category 2) Waters

Final Draft 2018 Impaired Waters List

Comprehensive 2018 River/Stream Water Quality Assessments

Comprehensive 2016 Rivers Stream Assessments

Comprehensive 2014 TP IBI Rivers Assessment

Recommendations

Monitor Water Quality or Sediment

monitor the condition of the headwaters of the Little Baraboo River to ascertain agricultural BMP effectiveness.

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
TOWN OF LA VALLE: Working Together to Monitor AIS	2010
Fish Propagation Actions	2001
Little Baraboo River TWA 2018	2018

Monitoring Projects

WBIC	Official Waterbody Name	Station ID	Station Name	Earliest Fieldwork Date	Latest Fieldwork Date	View Station	View Data
1282500	Little Baraboo River	10029046	Little Baraboo River 215m US from CTH EE	1/1/2015	9/10/2018	Map	Data
1282500	Little Baraboo River	10008591	Little Baraboo River-506 Meters Upstream Woolever Road			Map	Data
1282500	Little Baraboo River	10008596	Little Baraboo River-400 Meters Downstream Henderson Road			Map	Data
1282500	Little Baraboo River	573074	Little Baraboo River - Rott Rd	11/30/2018	11/30/2018	Map	Data
1282500	Little Baraboo River	10051994	Little Baraboo River 30 m US Woolever Rd.	11/30/2018	11/30/2018	Map	Data
1282500	Little Baraboo River	10011057	Little Baraboo River at Cty Ee To Farmland Bridge			Map	Data
1282500	Little Baraboo River	10051993	Little Baraboo R. 30 m us Henderson Rd.	11/30/2018	11/30/2018	Map	Data
1282500	Little Baraboo River	10014491	Little Baraboo R. - Ds Fenceline Of Wilbert Shore Property			Map	Data
1282500	Little Baraboo River	573068	Little Baraboo River at Henderson Rd	4/11/1985	9/10/2018	Map	Data
1282500	Little Baraboo River	10011055	Little Baraboo River - Little Baraboo River at Rott Rd. Up To End Of Robert Rott Property	10/31/1985	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1282500	Little Baraboo River	10011056	Little Baraboo River at Beier Rd. Up To Woolever Rd.	4/23/1997	10/18/2018	Map	Data
1282500	Little Baraboo River	10008586	Little Baraboo River-606 Meters Upstream Rott Road			Map	Data

Watershed Characteristics

Little Baraboo River is located in the Crossman Creek and Little Baraboo River watershed which is 213.80 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (36.40%), grassland (32.90%) and a mix of agricultural (20.40%) and other uses (10.30%). This watershed has 466.61 stream miles, 244.11 lake acres and 6,321.59 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Not Available for runoff impacts on streams, Not Available 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 Baraboo River is considered a Cool-Cold Mainstem, Cool-Cold Headwater 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.

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.

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