Duck Creek, Middle Branch, Duck Creek and Rocky Run Watershed (LW20)
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Duck Creek, Middle Branch, Duck Creek and Rocky Run Watershed (LW20)
Duck Creek, Middle Branch (1269300)
4.32 Miles
2.29 - 6.61
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-Warm 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
Fair
 
Columbia
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.
Default FAL
Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.
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

Middle Branch Duck Creek joins with North Branch Duck Creek at Wyona Lake to form the main stem of Duck Creek. The creek is a Class III trout stream for 2.5 miles of its length. Water quality in the upper reaches of the stream, above muck farms, has good water quality. Portions of the creek have been channelized, as have some of the unnamed tributaries. The stream carries a heavy sediment load, particularly from some muck farms adjacent to the stream. The owner of a muck farm has applied for federal funding through the Wetlands Reserve Program, (WRP), to restore the land back to a wetland. This would most likely help to improve the water quality within the stream. Public access to the stream could be improved.

Date  2002

Author  Cynthia Koperski

Historical Description

Middle Branch Duck Creek joins with North Branch Duck Creek at Wyona Lake to form
the main stem of Duck Creek. Water quality in the upper reaches of the streanl, above
muck farms, has good water quality (WDNR, 1991). Portions of the creek have been
channelized, as have some of the unnamed tributaries. The stream carries a heavy
sediment load, particularly from some muck farms adjacent to the stream (WDNR,
1991, Morton, 1991-1992). A notice of intent to issue quality citation was given to
a muck farm. The situation has been cleaned up (WDRN, 1991, Morton, 1991-1992).

Date  1994

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Historical Description

Duck Creek, Middle Branch, T12N, R10E, Section 22, Surface Acres = 31.7, Miles =15.4, Gradient = 11.04 feet per mile.
A stream of moderate gradient which flows to the Wyocena Millpond. A
trout stream, Jennings Creek, is its principal spring water source; above this
tributary water quality is less desirable. Bass and panfish provide a fishery
in the stream, however, forage species are the most common occupants. Several
county and town roads provide access. About 321 acres of wetland adjoin the stream.

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

Duck Creek, Middle Branch, Duck Creek and Rocky Run Watershed (LW20) Fish and Aquatic LifeDuck Creek, Middle Branch, Duck Creek and Rocky Run Watershed (LW20) RecreationDuck Creek, Middle Branch, Duck Creek and Rocky Run Watershed (LW20) Fish Consumption

General Condition

Duck Creek, Middle Branch (WBIC 1269300) from its mouth to CTH G was was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; new total phosphorus sample data were clearly below the 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Fish and Aquatic Life use.

The segment from CTH G to Jennings Creek 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.

The segment from Jennings Creek to the headwaters was assessed during the 2016 listing cycle; new biological (macroinvertebrate and 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

Trout Stream Reclassification Proposals Columbia County 9/22/20 Nye
Legal Notice Columbia County Trout Stream Reclassification 9/22/20 Nye
2020 Comprehensive WQ Assessments
Middle Br Duck Creek, Middle Br. Duck Cr. DS CTH G, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form
2018 List of Healthy (Category 2) Waters
Comprehensive 2018 River/Stream Water Quality Assessments
Comprehensive 2016 Rivers Stream Assessments
Columbia County Surface Water Resources 1965

Recommendations

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

Project Name (Click for Details)Year Started
Wetland Restoration Database2016
Fish Propagation Actions2001

Monitoring Projects

WBICOfficial Waterbody NameStation IDStation NameEarliest Fieldwork DateLatest Fieldwork DateView StationView Data
1269300Middle Br Duck Creek1002238270 Upstream From Cty Hwy SS1/1/20151/1/2015MapData
1269300Middle Br Duck Creek10022380270 M Downstream Up To 60 M Downstream Of Shliesmann Rd1/1/20156/10/2024MapData
1269300Middle Br Duck Creek10022377175 M Downstream Up To Mouth Of Roelke Mouth1/1/20151/1/2015MapData

Watershed Characteristics

Middle Br Duck Creek is located in the Duck Creek and Rocky Run watershed which is 140.89 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (43.10%), wetland (19.90%) and a mix of forest (18.40%) and other uses (18.60%). This watershed has 232.25 stream miles, 1,895.92 lake acres and 16,023.66 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.

Natural Community

Duck Creek, Middle Branch is considered a Cool-Cold Mainstem, Cool-Warm 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.