Lafayette
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No
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Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
Kelsey Branch is a 6 ½ mile long tributary to the Galena River that flows from east to west just north of the Illinois border. The most recent data collected (2007) suggests that this stream is a typical coolwater transitional stream containing numbers of fantail darters, stonerollers, common shiners and southern redbelly dace. Biologists noted this high gradient stream flows through a highly pastured corridor and has large areas of bank erosion and moderate sedimentation in pools. It would benefit from managed grazing and other agricultural best management practices.
Date 2010
Author James Amrhein
Historical Description
As a long, rather narrow, warm water drainage stream it flaws northwesterly into the Fever River (Galena). There is an unnamed feeder stream which enters from the north about 1.5 miles from the mouth. At the present time it is managed as forage fish water. Although smallmouth bass are present, its shallow depth and lack of deep pools limits their numbers. The land in the watershed is principally used for agricultural purposes. Some oak woods can be found as bank cover for about one-third of its length beginning at the mouth. Gravel is the bottom type throughout most of its entire length. Bank erosion ranges from moderate in the upper half to heavy in the lower half of the stream. Aquatic game assets are very restricted due to the low volume of flow. Upland game assets are restricted to rabbits, squirrels, deer and pheasants. Three town road crossings provide access.
Kelsey Branch, 1lN, R1E, Sections 34-8, Surface acres = 5.2, Miles = 5.1, Gradient = 35.3 feet per mile, Total alkalinity = 273 mg/l, Volume of flow = 0.8 cfs.
From: Piening, Ronald; Poff, Ronald; Threinen, C.W., 1967. Lake and Stream Classification Project. Surface Water Resources of Lafayette County, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.
Date 1967
Author Aquatic Biologist
Impaired Waters
The 2018 assessments of Kelsey Branch (miles 0-2) showed continued impairment by phosphorus; new total phosphorus sample data exceeded the 2018 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use and biological impairment was observed (i.e. at least one macroinvertebrate Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scored in the poor condition category). Based on the most updated information, no change in the existing impaired waters listing was needed.
Date 2017
Author Ashley Beranek
Impaired Waters
Kelsey Branch (936600), mouth to 2 miles upstream, was assessed during the 2016 listing cycle; total phosphorus sample data exceed 2016 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use and biological impairment was observed (i.e. at least one macroinvertebrate or fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scored in the poor condition category).
Date 2015
Author Aaron Larson
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 Aquatic Biology
Conduct biological (mIBI or fIBI) monitoring on Kelsey Br, WBIC: 936600, AU:13840
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 |
|---|
| 936600 | Kelsey Br | 10037756 | Kelsey Branch at Bales Road | 7/10/2012 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
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Watershed Characteristics
Kelsey Br is located in the Galena River watershed which is 241.84 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (63.10%), grassland (26.40%) and a mix of forest (5.70%) and other uses (4.60%). This watershed has 572.33 stream miles, 65.18 lake acres and 681.01 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked Not Ranked for runoff impacts on streams, Not Available 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.