Water Detail - Melancthon Creek, Upper Pine River Watershed (LW13)

Melancthon Creek, Upper Pine River Watershed (LW13)

Return to Search

Melancthon Creek (1232200)

Size

2.79 Miles

Segment

3.97 - 6.76

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.

2015

General Condition

Good

County

Richland, Vernon

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.

Yes

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 I Trout)

Streams supporting a cold water sport fishery, or serving as a spawning area for salmonids and other cold water fish species through natural reproduction. 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.

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

Entire stream (class 1).

Date 2002

Author Aquatic Biologist

Overview

Melancthon Creek is a tributary to the Pine River, rising in Vernon County and flowing south to the Pine. About 6.4 miles are thought to be Class I trout waters. The entire trout stream portion has been designated an exceptional resource water (ERW) and supports some natural reproduction of both brook and brown trout. A rare aquatic species has been found in the creek in past surveys.

The sub-watershed has a high potential for soil erosion and there are some sediment problems in the lower reaches of the stream and some grazing adjacent the stream. The upper 2.6 miles of the stream have been designated as impaired water due to nonpoint source pollution. The stream has been ranked as a high priority for nonpoint source pollution and would benefit from a nonpoint source pollution reduction project. The stream experiences a dense growth of reed canary grass in some areas. Fish from Melancthon Creek are collected and used by the WDNR for the wild trout stocking program.

Date 2002

Author Cynthia Koperski

Historical Description

Melancthon Creek is a tributary to the Pine River, rising in Vernon County and flowing south to the Pine. About 6.4 miles are classified as trout waters, 3.5 miles listed as Class I and ERW, and 2.9 miles Class I1 trout waters (WDNR, 1980). The Class II portion has also been nominated for ERW status. Water quality is judged to be good (Eagan, 1985'). The sub-watershed has a high potential for soil erosion (Eagan, 1985). There are some sediment problems in the lower reaches of the stream and some grazing adjacent the stream (WDNR, 1991).

Date 1994

Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Historical Description

From the mouth to the north line of S15, T12N R1E (class 2); from the north line of S15 to the headwaters (class 1).

Date 1980

Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Historical Description

Melancthon Creek, T13N, R1E, Section 34. Surface Acres = 0.2, Miles = 1.0, Gradient = 60.0 feet per mile.
A clear. hard water stream that flows in a southerly direction and joins the Pine River in Richland County. Though it is Class II brook and brown trout water in Richland County. the stream is not considered trout water in Vernon County, where forage fish dominate. Rubble is the dominant bottom type; there are about equal amounts of gravel and sand. and some boulder as well. Small quantities of silt and detritus are present. One road crossing 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

Melancthon Creek, Upper Pine River Watershed (LW13) Fish and Aquatic Life

Melancthon Creek, Upper Pine River Watershed (LW13) Recreation

Melancthon Creek, Upper Pine River Watershed (LW13) Fish Consumption

General Condition

Melancthon Creek (miles 3.97-6.76) was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; new biological (fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scores) 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

Melancthon Creek, Melancthon Creek -Baseline Survey (atSth 80), Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

2020 Comprehensive WQ Assessments

2018 List of Healthy (Category 2) Waters

2008 Impaired Waters Delisting Documentation

Comprehensive 2018 River/Stream Water Quality Assessments

Comprehensive 2016 Rivers Stream Assessments

Melancthon Monitoring Project QAQC Plan

Melancthon Creek -Grant Final Report

MELANCTHON CREEK DELISTING REPORT DATA DOCUMENTATION

MELANCTHON CREEK 2008 IMPAIRED WATERS DATA DOCUMENTATION

MELANCTHON CREEK OERW EVALUATION

Recommendations

Delist Impaired Water

Melancthon Creek flows through Vernon and Richland counties located in southwest Wisconsin.The existing use of the impaired segment was warm water forage fish (Ripp et al. 2002) and did not meet the designated use (trout stream Class I). Meanwhile, the land use improvements using contour strip cropping implemented recently probably contribute to maintain more stable vegetated soils and then to reduce erosion and sediment input. Recent visits to Melancthon Creek for water quality monitoring in 2006 and 2007 showed that the exposed soil was minimal and abundant riparian vegetation was present.

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
RICHLAND COUNTY: Melancthon Creek	2007
Melancthon Creek TMDL	2006

Monitoring Projects

WBIC	Official Waterbody Name	Station ID	Station Name	Earliest Fieldwork Date	Latest Fieldwork Date	View Station	View Data
1232200	Melancthon Creek	10010292	Melancthon Creek - Melancthon Creek Remap 144-X			Map	Data
1232200	Melancthon Creek	10030062	Melancthon Creek St. #10B along Hwy 80			Map	Data
1232200	Melancthon Creek	10011159	Melancthon Creek - Melancthon Creek 1966 Station 7 Grinsell Lane To Se Of Se Of Section 3	1/1/2015	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1232200	Melancthon Creek	10011148	Melancthon Creek 1974 Station 9 450 Feet In The Ne Se Corner Of T.12n.-R.1e.-S3			Map	Data
1232200	Melancthon Creek	10030064	Melancthon Creek St. #10B2 (Upper End)			Map	Data
1232200	Melancthon Creek	10022576	Melancthon Creek - Hwy 80 Crossing By Hawk Ln.	1/1/2015	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1232200	Melancthon Creek	533039	Melancthon Creek - Melancthon Creek	6/27/2003	10/23/2003	Map	Data
1232200	Melancthon Creek	10011551	Melancthon Creek - 500' Downstream Of Upper Dnr Access Off Hwy 80			Map	Data
1232200	Melancthon Creek	10022791	Melancton Station 10(B2) T12nR1eSec 3 Sese	1/1/2015	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1232200	Melancthon Creek	10012302	Melancthon Creek at Hawk Lane	5/8/2006	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1232200	Melancthon Creek	10011149	Melancthon Creek 1974 Station 10 150 Feet In The Se Ne Corner Of T.12n.-R1e.-S3			Map	Data
1232200	Melancthon Creek	10011146	Melancthon Creek 1974 Station 7 Entry Of Grinsell Creek Up To Grinsell Lane			Map	Data
1232200	Melancthon Creek	10011552	Melancthon Creek - Hwy 80 Upstream To Grinsell Lane	11/1/2010	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1232200	Melancthon Creek	10011160	Melancthon Creek 1966 Station 8 Se Of Se Of Section 3 To Walsh Lane			Map	Data
1232200	Melancthon Creek	533040	Melancthon Creek - (Bridge)	6/27/2003	11/18/2004	Map	Data
1232200	Melancthon Creek	10011150	Melancthon Creek 1974 Station 11 Cty C (Now Sth 80) Up To Hawk Lane			Map	Data
1232200	Melancthon Creek	10011147	Melancthon Creek 1974 Station 8 250 Feet In The Ne Ne Corner Of T.12n.-R1e.-S10			Map	Data
1232200	Melancthon Creek	10011163	Melancthon Creek 1959 Station 3 Spot Shocking In Grinsell Creek			Map	Data
1232200	Melancthon Creek	10010297	Melancthon Creek - Melancthon Creek Remap 144-B			Map	Data
1232200	Melancthon Creek	10022790	Melancthon Cr ~950m US Grinsel Ln	1/1/2015	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1232200	Melancthon Creek	10030065	Melancthon Creek St. #10D along Hwy 80			Map	Data

Watershed Characteristics

Melancthon Creek is located in the Upper Pine River watershed which is 179.98 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (52.80%), grassland (29%) and a mix of agricultural (12.50%) and other uses (5.60%). This watershed has 404.04 stream miles, 92.10 lake acres and 3,397.98 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

Melancthon Creek 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.

More Interactive Maps

View Water in Alternative Map