Rock
No
No
No
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
A seepage fed stream originating south of Orfordville, then flowing southwest to enter Taylor Creek, the upper three quarters of the stream has been ditched and supports warm water forage species (Water Resources of Rock Co). The lower 3 miles of stream support a warm water sport fishery. A 1997 game fish survey only found several small northern pike and various warm water forage species. Like Taylor Creek, this stream is also heavily impacted by beaver dams.
Date 2002
Author Aquatic Biologist
Historical Description
From: Ball, Joseph R., and Ronald J. Poff, Lake and Stream Classification Project. Surface Water Resources of Rock County, Department of Natural Resources, 1970.
Surface Acres = 11.3, Miles = 7.8, Gradient = 7.7 feet per mile.
A seepage fed stream originating south of Orfordville, then flowing generally southwest to enter Taylor Creek. The upper three-fourths of the stream has been ditched and has habitat suited only for forage species. The lower portion of the stream may support a few smallmouth bass and northern pike. Adjoining fresh meadow and shallow marsh wetland totals 828 acres, 8 percent of which is wooded. Public-owned stream frontage totals .7 mile in the Avon Bottoms Wildlife Area; 120 acres of public hunting and fishing grounds adjoin the stream. The area is moderately used by migrating waterfowl. Pheasants are also available for the hunter. Access is provided by three town roads and one state highway crossing.
Date 1970
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
General Condition
Willow Creek was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; new biological (macroinvertebrate 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
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.
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 |
|---|
| 876400 | Willow Creek | 10012063 | Willow Creek - Upstream Of Sth 81 | 10/29/2004 | 9/5/2023 | Map | Data |
| 876400 | Willow Creek | 10013320 | Willow Creek Hwy 81 Bridge | 5/10/2014 | 10/19/2015 | Map | Data |
| 876400 | Willow Creek | 10013323 | Willow Creek Upstrm Of Avon Store Rd | 5/24/2007 | 9/24/2009 | Map | Data |
|
Watershed Characteristics
Willow Creek is located in the Lower Sugar River watershed which is 217.85 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (65.80%), grassland (16.90%) and a mix of forest (7.60%) and other uses (9.70%). This watershed has 467.98 stream miles, 202.10 lake acres and 6,999.03 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked Low 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.