Martinville Cr, Platte River Watershed (GP02)
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Martinville Cr, Platte River Watershed (GP02)
Martinville Cr (955100)
2.60 Miles
0 - 2.60
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 Headwater
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.
2015
Poor
 
This river is impaired
Elevated Water Temperature, Degraded Biological Community, Degraded Habitat
Total Phosphorus, Sediment/Total Suspended Solids, Unknown Pollutant
 
Grant
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.
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.
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

Entire stream (class 2).

Date  2002

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Overview

Martinsville Creek is a tributary to the Platte River west of Livingston. It is considered to a class II trout stream for two miles of its length (WDNR, 1980). Nonpoint sources of pollution, particularly barnyard runoff and overgrazing of stream banks, impair its uses. Improved land management practices would improve instream water quality conditions, fish populations and instream habitat. Martinsville Creek was added to the state’s impaired streams list in 1998 due to problems resulting from nonpoint source pollution. Nonpoint source best management practices, particularly stream buffer corridors and managed grazing, would help protect and improve the stream

Date  2001

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

Below Rock Church Road S15, T5N, R1W (class 2)

Date  1980

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Historical Description

From: Smith, Tom D., and Ball, Joseph R., Lake and Stream Classification Project. Surface Water Resources of Grant County, Department of Natural Resources, 1972. Surface Area = 2.23 acres, Length = 4.6 miles, Gradient = 46 ft/mile. Flow = 1.7 c.f.s.

A spring-fed stream beginning one mile north of Livingston and flowing west to enter tte upper reaches of the Platte River. This stream is known locally as "Martinsville Branch". Several excellent springs enter the stream along its length and many deep pools can be found throughout the stream. Water quality is good for both cold and warmwater fish species although several barnyards and pigpens located near the headwaters cause some pollution problemes. Brown trout are found throughout the stream and a few "lunkers" have been caught. Some natural reproduction does occur. Smallmouth bass are found in the lower reaches and also show good reproduction. Forage species are common throughout. Fishing pressure is very light. Aquatic game assets include muskrat, beaver, mink, and an occasional puddle duck. A large beaver dam impounds the stream near the mouth. Upland game varieties are commonly seen nearby. Four bridges provide access to the upper reaches but access is quite difficult on the lower portions. Four dwellings are located along the banks.

Date  1972

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Martinville Cr, Platte River Watershed (GP02) Fish and Aquatic LifeMartinville Cr, Platte River Watershed (GP02) RecreationMartinville Cr, Platte River Watershed (GP02) Fish Consumption

Impaired Waters

Martinville Creek (955100) was assessed during the 2016 listing cycle; temperature data exceeded 2016 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Fish and Aquatic Life use. 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

2020 Comprehensive WQ Assessments
Final Draft 2018 Impaired Waters List
Comprehensive 2016 Rivers Stream Assessments
Comprehensive 2014 TP IBI Rivers Assessment
Martinville Creek 955100 Impaired Waters Listing Documentation 2008
Martin Branch, Martinville Creek, and Rogers Branch TMDL
USEPA Decision Document for the Approval of the Martin Branch, Martinville Creek, and Rogers Branch TMDL

Recommendations

TMDL Implementation
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) developed TMDLs for TSS and phosphorus for Martin Branch, Martinville Creek, and Rogers Branch in Grant County, Wisconsin. Implementation Plan is needed.
TMDL Development
Martin Branch, Martinville Creek, and Rogers Branch are impaired streams in the Grant-Platte River Basin in southwestern Wisconsin (Grant County). The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) placed a number of stream segments from each stream on the Wisconsin 303(d) impaired waters list as high priority due to degraded habitat caused by excessive sedimentation (the deposition of sediment) and low dissolved oxygen caused by high phosphorus concentrations. Due to excessive sedimentation in Martin Branch, Martinville Creek, and Rogers Branch and excessive phosphorus in Rogers Branch, these waterbodies are not currently meeting applicable narrative water quality criterion as defined in NR 102.04 (1); Wisconsin Administrative Code.
TMDL Implementation
Martinville Creek TMDL 1-year monitoring. Martinville TMDL Monitoring resulted in written TMDL which was approved by the USEPA.

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
Martinville Creek TMDL Monitoring2005
Martin Branch, Martinville Creek and Rogers Branch TMDLs2007
Wayne Creek2006

Monitoring Projects

WBICOfficial Waterbody NameStation IDStation NameEarliest Fieldwork DateLatest Fieldwork DateView StationView Data
955100Martinville Creek10012735Martinville Creek - Stocking (atRock Church Rd)4/10/20064/10/2006MapData
955100Martinville Creek10012794Martinville CreekMapData
955100Martinville Creek223350Martinville Creek - Rock Church Road4/28/200510/10/2006MapData
955100Martinville Creek10031309Martinville Creek1/1/20151/1/2015MapData
955100Martinville Creek10012223Martinville Creek At Drewry Property5/10/20054/10/2006MapData

Watershed Characteristics

Martinville Creek is located in the Platte River watershed which is 197.74 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily grassland (43.30%), agricultural (30.70%) and a mix of forest (19%) and other uses (7.00%). This watershed has 455.07 stream miles, 21.45 lake acres and 1,303.48 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Medium 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.

Natural Community

Martinville Cr is considered a Cool-Cold Headwater 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) Headwaters are small, usually perennial streams with cold to cool summer temperatures. Coldwater fishes are common to uncommon (<10 per 100 m), transitional fishes are abundant to common, and warm water fishes are uncommon to absent. Headwater species are abundant to common, mainstem species are common to absent, and river species are absent.