Columbia
Yes
No
No
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
Prentice Creek (Durwoods Glen) - This stream is a tributary to the Wisconsin River. The stream supports a Class I trout stream above Highway 78. Below, the stream is designated as a Class III stream, although with some
work a small portion of that stream could support a Class II trout stream. The upper 5 miles
of the creek have been designated an exceptional water resource (ERW). The stream
experiences some problems as a result of nonpoint sources of pollution.
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
Prentice Creek T11N, R8E, Section 29, Surface Acres 5.81, Miles = 8.0, Gradient = 21.87 feet per mile.
A high-gradient stream draining from the Baraboo Range to Lake Wisconsin.
Trout of all three stream species have been introduced here. Brook trout were first
sustained but as stream conditions changed, management utilized brown trout to
compensate for changing conditions. Fluctuating water levels present a problem in
that volume of flow in some years is insufficient to support fishes other than
minnows. Access is possible at several town and county road crossings, however,
much adjoining land is posted against trespass. There are no adjoining wetlands.
From: Poff, Ronald J. and C.W. Threinen, 1965. Surface Water Resources of Columbia County:
Lake and Stream Classification Project. Wisconsin Conservation Department, Madison, WI.
Date 1965
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
General Condition
Prentice Creek (WBIC 1262600) from Highway 78 to the Columbia-Sauk county line was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; new biological (fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scores) 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
Recommendations
Monitor Fish Community
AU 13506, poor fIBI, Station 10029458
Restore Wetlands
Restore Wetlands
Restore Wetlands
Restore Wetlands
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
Monitoring Projects
| WBIC | Official Waterbody Name | Station ID | Station Name | Earliest Fieldwork Date | Latest Fieldwork Date | View Station | View Data |
|---|
| 1262600 | Prentice Creek | 10028844 | Prentice Creek at Indian Farm Rd | 7/9/2008 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
| 1262600 | Prentice Creek | 10029452 | Prentice Creek 122m Downstream of Durwards Glen Rd | 1/1/2015 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
| 1262600 | Prentice Creek | 10029458 | Prentice Creek 27m Upstream of Co Trk U | 1/1/2015 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
|
Watershed Characteristics
Prentice Creek is located in the Lake Wisconsin watershed which is 214.96 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (42.60%), forest (28%) and a mix of grassland (13.10%) and other uses (16.40%). This watershed has 299.58 stream miles, 521.55 lake acres and 6,644.90 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked Medium 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.