Water Detail - Honey Creek, Honey Creek Watershed (LW16)

Honey Creek, Honey Creek Watershed (LW16)

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Honey Creek (1253900)

Size

4.92 Miles

Segment

25.54 - 30.46

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.

2023

General Condition

Poor

This river is impaired

Impairments include

Elevated Water Temperature, Degraded Biological Community

Pollutants include

Unknown Pollutant

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.

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.

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

Honey Creek is a Class II trout stream for about 6 miles from Willow Road up to County
Highway GG. Downstream from these trout waters, Honey Creek flows an additional 26
miles and supports a warm water sport fishery, and the seasonal migration of gamefish from
the Wisconsin River during the summer. All of the tributaries that flow into Honey Creek are
considered warm water fisheries. A rare aquatic species has been found in the creek in past
surveys.
The creek has been affected by hydrologic modification. The upper reaches of the main
branch of Honey Creek above the Village of Plain, and Shannahan Valley Creek, were
dammed in 1970, forming the 104-acre White Mound Lake. This structure was built for flood
and erosion control. This impoundment now supports a warm water fishery instead of a cold
water fishery. The stream is also influenced by intense agricultural activities that take place
adjacent to the stream and are suspected of causing habitat and water quality problems.
Stream straightening, cattle trampling streambanks and subsequent bank erosion, cultivated
fields up to the edge of Honey Creek and its tributaries, and wetland drainage have resulted in
sedimentation problems in the stream. The most obvious example of this is the silt and
sediment delta forming in the Wisconsin River at the mouth of Honey Creek. Manure
handling and storage problems also exist on or near Honey Creek. In addition, Honey Creek
receives industrial discharge from a cheese factory.
Fish surveys to determine the health of the stream downstream from the impoundment have
found the stream to be poor, reflecting the warm water temperature that result from the
impoundment and the impacts of agricultural land use. With a recent conversion of the
discharge of White Mound Lake from a top (warmwater) to bottom (coldwater) draw, stream
temperatures downstream to Plain have become more favorable for trout. A summer 2000
survey even found significant brown trout reproduction in one area of the stream. With
easement purchases to eliminate cropping and grazing next to the stream and instream habitat
improvement, this stretch of stream has potential for trout management again. (See White
Mound Lake).

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

Historical Description

Honey Creek is a Class II trout stream for 4.2 miles (WDNR, 1991) of its 32-mile length.
Another 26.5 miles are classed as warm water sport fishery (WDNR, 1991). Intense
agricultural activities take place adjacent to the stream and are suspected of causing
habitat and water quality problems (Schlesser, 1991 - 1992). Stream straightening,
cattle trampling streambanks and subsequent bank erosion, cultivated fields up to the
edge of Honey Creek and its tributaries, and wetland drainage have resulted in
sedimentation problems in the stream. The most obvious example of this is the silt and
sediment delta forming in the Wisconsin River at the mouth of Honey Creek (WDNR.
1988, Gjestson, 1991). Manure handling and storage problems also exist on or near
Honey Creek (WDNR, 1991).

Date 1994

Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Honey Creek, Honey Creek Watershed (LW16) Fish and Aquatic Life

Honey Creek, Honey Creek Watershed (LW16) Recreation

Honey Creek, Honey Creek Watershed (LW16) Fish Consumption

Impaired Waters

Honey Creek was recently evaluated during the ten-year period of 2009 through 2018 for results that were reported to the USEPA for the 2020 Clean Water Act condition report. The waterbody is considered impaired, or in poor condition for designated uses which include the quality of fish and aquatic life, recreational use, and public health and welfare (fish consumption and related). Pollutants or problems encountered during sampling (impairments) are determined based on water quality standards outlined in Wisconsin 2020 Consolidated Assessment and Listing Methodology (WisCALM). Assessment results show water conditions that are potentially harmful for Aquatic Life use due to values for temperature that fall into the range expected for an aquatic community in poor health, therefore this water is listed as impaired.

Honey Creek (mile 0-25.54): This segment has been listed since 2012 for total phosphorus causing degraded biological community.

Honey Creek (mile 25.54-30.46): Assessment results during the 2020 listing cycle show elevated water temperature levels inappropriate for Aquatic Life use according to 2020 WisCALM standards. Available bug and fish sample data (macroinvertebrate and fish Index of Biotic Integrity) do not indicate impairment. This segment was listed in 2014 for degraded biological community. Elevated water temperature by an unknown pollutant was added to the listing for this already impaired water.

Honey Creek [2 segments (mile 30.46-33.83)]: These segments are either attaining their designated uses or there is not enough information to assess condition.

Date 2019

Author Ashley Beranek

Impaired Waters

Honey Creek (WBIC 1253900) from Willow Road (near Plain) to CTH GG was placed on the impaired waters list for degraded biological community in 2014. This water was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; new biological (fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scores) sample data were clearly below 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Fish and Aquatic Life use. The degraded biological community listing was based on macroinvertebrate data so this water was not be delisted at the time.

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

2020 Comprehensive WQ Assessments

Honey Creek, Honey Creek (Main Branch)-Hickory Rd Upstream To Dischler Line Fence, 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

Rivers TP Summary 2012

SCR Coolwater IBIs for 2012 Draft 303d Listing Corrections

BLUE RIVER, BEAR CR, HONEY CR, LITTLE BEAR CR. SPECIAL PROJECT MONITORING PROPOSAL 2007

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
Fish Propagation Actions	2001

Monitoring Projects

WBIC	Official Waterbody Name	Station ID	Station Name	Earliest Fieldwork Date	Latest Fieldwork Date	View Station	View Data
1253900	Honey Creek	10009958	Honey Creek - 59 Meters Upstream From Cth GG	11/3/2003	11/6/2023	Map	Data
1253900	Honey Creek	10010990	Honey Creek Leland Road Upstream To Yanke Fence Line			Map	Data
1253900	Honey Creek	10010988	Honey Creek Valley View Road To Hwy 23	1/1/2015	3/9/2017	Map	Data
1253900	Honey Creek	10014391	Honey Creek-Leland Road To Farm Bridge	1/1/2015	7/13/2020	Map	Data
1253900	Honey Creek	10010986	Honey Creek - Honey Creek 1370' Downstream Leland Road Up To Yanke Line Fence			Map	Data
1253900	Honey Creek	533076	Honey Creek at Leland Rd	8/21/2012	8/21/2012	Map	Data
1253900	Honey Creek	10011034	Honey Creek - Honey Creek Main Br. 614m. North Of Hickory Rd To Telephone Pole W/ Snowmobile Reflector Diamond			Map	Data
1253900	Honey Creek	10022321	Honey Creek 50 M US From Willow Rd.	11/2/2010	10/31/2023	Map	Data
1253900	Honey Creek	10011540	Honey Creek (Main Branch)-Hickory Rd Upstream To Dischler Line Fence	9/17/2004	10/18/2018	Map	Data
1253900	Honey Creek	10008560	Honey Creek-Betw. Valley View Rd & Hickory Rd			Map	Data
1253900	Honey Creek	10022353	Honey Creek 30 M Upstream Of Valley View Road	1/1/2015	12/2/2020	Map	Data
1253900	Honey Creek	10011361	Honey Creek - Honey Creek (Plain Branch)- 20m Downstream Of Hickory Rd	6/10/2007	7/13/2020	Map	Data
1253900	Honey Creek	573133	Honey Creek - 400 Ft. Below White Mound Dam	9/5/2000	9/5/2000	Map	Data
1253900	Honey Creek	10011358	Honey Creek -50m Upstream Of Wenzel Rd			Map	Data
1253900	Honey Creek	10010987	Honey Creek - 1370' Below Leland Road Up To Leland Road			Map	Data

Watershed Characteristics

Honey Creek is located in the Honey Creek watershed which is 217.78 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (39.50%), agricultural (33.20%) and a mix of grassland (15.80%) and other uses (11.40%). This watershed has 430.53 stream miles, 301.07 lake acres and 9,324.41 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

Honey 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.

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