Rock Branch, Mineral Point and Sudan Branches Watershed (SP09)
Rock Branch, Mineral Point and Sudan Branches Watershed (SP09)
Rock Branch (928200)
1.28 Miles
2.95 - 4.23
Cool-Cold Headwater
2000
Unknown
 

Overview

This small stream serves as a tributary to Brewery Creek. A baseline survey conducted in 2000 and a sportfish survey conducted in 2001 confirmed this stream’s status as a Class II trout stream (Sims). Both brown and brook trout were found in the surveys. With its fairly high gradient, the fish manager feels this stream has the potential as a Class I trout stream. Although impacted by agricultural non-point runoff, the water quality appears to be improving as the stream continues to run clear even after rains (Sims).

Date  2002

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

Rock Branch - Mouth location T4N R3E Section 18 -13, Surface area = 4.0 acres, Length = 4.0 miles, Gradient = 57.5 feet per mile, Total alkalinity = 282.0 mg/l, Volume of flow = 3.0 cfs.
Rock Branch begins as warmwater seepage stream on a north-south ridge which extends from Dodgeville into Lafayette County. As the stream progresses, springs become its principal water source. It meets with Brewery Creek about two miles south of Mineral Point and is called Furnace Creek thereafter. Its basin is subject to fluctuating water levels which result in heavy bank erosion. This is brought about mostly because of its steep gradient and about 92 percent of' its watershed is cleared for beef cattle grazing and crops.
Its sport fishery consists mainly of brown trout with some smallmouth bass near the mouth. Brook trout have been known to inhabit its water in the past but it is doubtful if any exist today. Brown trout are stocked annually to maintain the fishery. Forage fish species present include white and hogsuckers; bluntnose and stoneroller minnows; hornyhead and creek chubs; redbelly dace, johnny darters, and brook sticklebacks. Aquatic game assets are limited to some muskrats near the mouth.
There are no public lands on the stream but some fishing easements on the best trout water are desirable. Presently, it is accessible from five road crossings.

From: Piening, Ronald and Threinen, C.W., 1968. Lake and Stream Classification Project. Surface Water Resources of Iowa County, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.

Date  1968

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Waters that support fish and aquatic life communities (healthy biological communities).
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.
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.
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.
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.