Badger Mill Creek, Upper Sugar River Watershed (SP15)
Badger Mill Creek, Upper Sugar River Watershed (SP15)
Badger Mill Creek (888100)
2 Miles
0 - 2
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
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
Poor
 
This river is impaired
High Phosphorus Levels
Total Phosphorus
 
Dane
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.
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.
WWSF
Streams capable of supporting a warm waterdependent sport fishery. Representative aquatic life communities associated with these waters generally require cool or warm temperatures and concentrations of dissolved oxygen that do not drop below 5 mg/L.
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

Badger Mill Creek's drainage area includes much of the southwest side of Madison as well as most of Verona. Although the creek is currently classified as a limited forage fishery in the lower two miles, field surveys indicate that the creek could be reclassified to a fish and aquatic life use - coldwater stream. The creek is currently listed on the list of impaired waters due to the impacts of nonpoint source pollution.

Although the stream historically received wastewater discharges, by 1985 both public and private wastewater discharges to Badger Mill Creek were removed. In August, 1998, MMSD began returning treated wastewater to Badger Mill Creek in response to concerns that by sending Verona wastewater to MMSD for treatment, the effluent discharge to the Lower Rock Basin reduced water quantity in the Sugar-Pecatonica Basin. Today, the quantity of water generated/pumped out of the basin is returned to the Sugar-Pecatonica Basin via Badger Mill Creek.

Restoring water quantity was expected to restore the water balance between the Upper Sugar River and Yahara River watersheds, improve habitat, offset the impacts on baseflow of significant groundwater withdrawals in Verona and the southwest City of Madison, and improve the fishery potential by removing low baseflow as a limiting condition. Badger Mill Creek is the focus of several monitoring efforts as a result of this discharge. MMSD has developed an agreement with the USGS to provide a continuous sampling station near the Verona treatment plant to monitor and document the volume and temperature of the effluent as a condition of managing the treated effluent. The WDNR conducts fish shocking and aquatic insect sampling to study long-term trends and conditions. MMSD has conducted annual monitoring of fish assemblages at two stations in the Sugar River and two in Badger Mill Creek.

This monitoring indicates that while the stream can maintain a thermally sensitive fish assemblage, the diversion has had other impacts on the stream. While the numbers of trout have increased likely due to an increase in habitat via an increase in flow, the presence of pollution intolerant (thermally sensitive) cold water indicator species such as mottled sculpin and brook stickleback, and aquatic insects indicative of healthy trout streams, have declined since the diversion. In addition, monitoring has revealed increased levels of chlorides, total phosphorus, dissolved phosphorus and ammonia in the creek. As a result, although numbers of trout have increased, overall water quality and stream health may be deteriorating as a result of the diversion of treated wastewater to Badger Mill Creek (DNR Dave Rowe Coldwater Habitat Evaluation Study).

Date  2019

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Facilities Management

The main branch of Badger Mill Creek is designated as a Class II trout stream by the WDNR for fish management purposes, in accordance with NR 1.02(7). The creek flows 9.5 miles through the southwest side of City of Madison and bisects the City of Verona. Residential and agricultural land uses are the two most dominant land uses in the 29.6 square mile watershed, each occupying ? of the area. Ongoing development in Madison and Verona continues to change land use in the area. Upstream of the MMSD effluent discharge point, Badger Mill Creek is intermittent as in flows through the City of Madison and generally only flows when there is significant runoff. Downstream of the MMSD discharge point, Badger Mill Creek flows 4.9 miles until it combines with the Upper Sugar River. Because of the MMSD discharge, Badger Mill Creek is classified as a Variance Stream for Uses and Designated Standards [NR 104.05(2)], which allows the WDNR to relax certain water quality standards for this stream to allow discharge of treated municipal wastewater. These stream Use Standards are state water quality standards established to guide water quality planning under NR 121.

Since August 1998, MMSD has discharged about 3.3 mgd (5 cfs) of highly treated effluent to Badger Mill Creek as a way to maintain baseflow in the creek. This additional effluent compensates for groundwater extracted from the Sugar River basin by municipal wells. After groundwater is pumped and used, the wastewater is diverted to MMSD?s Nine Springs treatment plant and discharged to Badfish Creek, in the adjacent Rock River basin, and Badger Mill Creek, in the Sugar River Basin. This return of treated effluent helps to restore the water balance between these two basins and, more importantly, improves aquatic habitat in Badger Mill Creek by removing low baseflow as a limiting habitat condition.

Date  2018

Author  Sarah Fuller

Badger Mill Creek, Upper Sugar River Watershed (SP15) Fish and Aquatic LifeBadger Mill Creek, Upper Sugar River Watershed (SP15) RecreationBadger Mill Creek, Upper Sugar River Watershed (SP15) Fish Consumption

General Condition

Badger Mill Creek does not show significant biological impairments for macroinvertebrates or fish. In 1998, miles 2-5 of the creek were listed as impaired for total suspended solids by the DNR. In 2002, the creek was delisted when TSS was analyzed again. According to a 2017 fisheries assessment conducted by the DNR, MMSD effluent has helped support fish communities by maintaining steady baseflow in the creek, has not altered the fish community, and has not caused problematic thermal impacts. In DNR assessments for 2018, miles 0 to 5 of Badger Mill Creek did not show biological impairments but did show phosphorus impairments, prompting a proposal for the creek to be listed as an impaired water. Chloride and temperature were also assessed but did not result in any proposed impairment additions.

Date  2018

Author  Sarah Fuller

Impaired Waters

The 2018 assessments of Badger Mill Creek (from the confluence with the Sugar River to north of HWY 18 and 69; miles 0-2) showed impairment by phosphorus; new total phosphorus sample data overwhelmingly exceeded the 2018 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use. However, available biological data did not indicate impairment (i.e. no macroinvertebrate or fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scored in the "poor" condition category). Based on the most updated information, this water was proposed for the impaired waters list.

The 2018 assessments of Badger Mill Creek (from north of HWY 18 and 69 to E Verona Ave and HWY 18; miles 2-5) showed impairment by phosphorus; new total phosphorus sample data overwhelmingly exceeded the 2018 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use. However, available biological data did not indicate impairment (i.e. no macroinvertebrate or fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scored in the "poor" condition category). Based on the most updated information, this water was proposed for the impaired waters list.

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.
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.
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.

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

Monitoring Studies

In 1998, miles 2-5 of the creek were listed as impaired for total suspended solids by the DNR. In 2002, the creek was delisted when TSS was analyzed again. According to a 2017 fisheries assessment conducted by the DNR, MMSD effluent has helped support fish communities by maintaining steady baseflow in the creek, has not altered the fish community, and has not caused problematic thermal impacts. In DNR assessments for 2018, miles 0 to 5 of Badger Mill Creek did not show biological impairments but did show phosphorus impairments, prompting a proposal for the creek to be listed as an impaired water. Chloride and temperature were also assessed but did not result in any proposed impairment additions. Continued monitoring occurs on a routine basis.

Since Badger Mill Creek is a coldwater stream, it is sensitive to temperatures increases from uncontrolled urban runoff. The stream?s watershed is therefore classified as a thermally sensitive area. Stormwater management practices are required for new development within the watershed to provide thermal controls so that warm water does not enter the stream and negatively impact the aquatic ecosystem.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) monitors flow, temperature, specific conductance and dissolved oxygen near the Bruce Street crossing in Verona. Annual average discharge at this site as increased since monitoring began in 1996, mostly as a result of increased baseflow. This has led to concerns of more frequent flooding in the floodplain downstream of the City of Verona.

Date  2018

Author  Sarah Fuller

Watershed Characteristics

Badger Mill Creek is located in the Upper Sugar River watershed which is 105.96 miĀ². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (42.90%), grassland (20.80%) and a mix of forest (13.80%) and other uses (22.60%). This watershed has 183.62 stream miles, 151.49 lake acres and 2,231.15 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked High 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

Badger Mill Creek is considered a Cool-Cold 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.

Fisheries & Habitat

This water is a Trout Water from the perennial outflow in T6N, R8E, section 13 to confluence with Upper Sugar River in T6N, R8E, S 28. A 2005 survey results that indicate a population of brown trout representing several year classes in sufficient numbers to sustain the population from year to year. Stocking is needed to supplement natural reproduction. Kurt Welke, 2005 Public Notice.

Date  2008

Author   Aquatic Biologist