Boydtown Creek, Knapp Creek Watershed (LW08)
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Boydtown Creek, Knapp Creek Watershed (LW08)
Boydtown Creek (1205100)
1 Miles
0 - 1
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
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
Good
 
Crawford
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.
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.
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 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

Boydtown Creek, located in southeast Crawford County, flows for approximately 1.7 miles in
a southerly direction before reaching the Wisconsin River at Boydtown. This stream
originates at a large spring (approximately 700 gallons per minute) in its upper end and has an
average gradient of 40 feet per mile. After Boydtown Creek reaches HWY 60, the gradient is
greatly reduced and it flows through wetlands adjacent to the Wisconsin River. Boydtown
Creek is a Class II trout stream for one mile upstream of HWY 60 and then Class I for the
remaining 0.7 miles. The creek is an exceptional resource water (ERW) above Hwy 60.
The most recent biological survey, conducted in 1995, documented degraded in-stream habitat
due to overgrazing and high water. Fish species included northern pike, grass pickerel, burbot
and several minnow species. Watercress, an indicator of immediate groundwater influence
was noted at many locations. Aquatic insects were abundant near the large springhead where
Boydtown Creek originates. Boydtown Creek had a successful brook trout fishery in years
past. Stocking of a more wild strain of brook trout into Boydtown Creek may increase the
chances of a successful trout fishery. Purchase of streambank easements should improve instream
habitat. Since this stream discharges to the Wisconsin River, competition from brown
trout will not occur. Access to Boydtown Creek is from three road crossings.

From: 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

Overview

Boydtown Creek, located in southeast Crawford County, flows for approximately 1.7 miles in a southerly direction before reaching the Wisconsin River at Boydtown. This stream originates at a large spring (approximately 700 gallons per minute) in its upper end and has an average gradient of 40 feet per mile. After Boydtown Creek reaches HWY 60, the gradient is greatly reduced and it flows through wetlands adjacent to the Wisconsin River. Boydtown Creek is a Class II trout stream for one mile upstream of HWY 60 and then Class I for the remaining 0.7 miles. The creek is an exceptional resource water (ERW) above Hwy 60.

The most recent biological survey, conducted in 1995, documented degraded in-stream habitat due to overgrazing and high water. Fish species included northern pike, grass pickerel, burbot and several minnow species. Watercress, an indicator of immediate groundwater influence was noted at many locations. Aquatic insects were abundant near the large springhead where Boydtown Creek originates. Boydtown Creek had a successful brook trout fishery in years past. Stocking of a more wild strain of brook trout into Boydtown Creek may increase the chances of a successful trout fishery. Purchase of streambank easements should improve in-stream habitat. Since this stream discharges to the Wisconsin River, competition from brown trout will not occur. Access to Boydtown Creek is from three road crossings.

Date  2001

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Boydtown Creek, Knapp Creek Watershed (LW08) Fish and Aquatic LifeBoydtown Creek, Knapp Creek Watershed (LW08) RecreationBoydtown Creek, Knapp Creek Watershed (LW08) Fish Consumption

General Condition

Boydtown Creek (miles 0-1) was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; new total phosphorus 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

2019 Total Phosphorus Monitoring Report - Boydtown Creek 400 ft west of Hilldale Rd
2020 Comprehensive WQ Assessments
2018 List of Healthy (Category 2) Waters
Comprehensive 2018 River/Stream Water Quality Assessments
2016 Total Phosphorus Monitoring Report - Boydtown Creek 400 feet west of Hilldale Rd
2015 Total Phosphorus Monitoring Report - Boydtown Creek 400 ft west of Hilldale Rd
2015 Total Phosphorus Monitoring Report - Boydtown Creek, Shiller Property south of main Roth Drainage Way
Comprehensive 2016 Rivers Stream Assessments
Crawford County Surface Water Resources 1972

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.

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
Boydtown Creek, Shiller Property south of main Roth Drainage Way2012

Monitoring Projects

WBICOfficial Waterbody NameStation IDStation NameEarliest Fieldwork DateLatest Fieldwork DateView StationView Data
1205100Boydtown Creek10039657Boydtown Creek at Shiller Property N of main Roth Drainage Way5/8/20107/6/2010MapData
1205100Boydtown Creek10032124Boydtown Creek Shiller Property south of main Roth Drainage Way8/24/201010/6/2015MapData
1205100Boydtown Creek10013610Boydtown Creek Station 1-From Sth 60 Upstream10/27/200710/7/2024MapData
1205100Boydtown Creek10013612Boydtown Creek Station 3-Ne 1/4 Ne 1/4 Sec. 2 To Junction With Spring Feeder.MapData
1205100Boydtown Creek10013611Boydtown Creek Station 2-Se 1/4 Ne 1/4 Sec. 2MapData

Watershed Characteristics

Boydtown Creek is located in the Knapp Creek watershed which is 158.64 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (53.60%), grassland (23%) and a mix of agricultural (13.60%) and other uses (9.90%). This watershed has 395.31 stream miles, 126.86 lake acres and 6,498.05 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Medium for runoff impacts on streams, Not Ranked 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

Boydtown Creek is considered a Cool-Cold 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.