Grant
No
No
Yes
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
Kuenster Creek is a spring fed tributary to Rattlesnake Creek. Almost 100% of its drainage area is used for agricultural purposes. In addition, stream bank erosion is also a major problem. The stream is wide and shallow which leads to warmer water temperatures during the summer (Smith and Ball, 1971). Similar to most streams in this watershed, Kuenster Creek experiences dissolved oxygen levels below water quality standards during or immediately after runoff and storm events.
The fishery of the stream is dominated by pollution tolerant forage fish species. An occasional smallmouth bass is found in its lower reaches (Wang et.al., 1996). Fish distribution and population surveys were done during the 1990's to develop fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scores and stream water quality ratings. The IBI ratings, indicators of environmental degradation, for Kuenster Creek ranged from fair to very poor. Habitat quality was also rated for Kuenster and ranged from excellent to fair over the six-year period of study (Wang et.al., 1996). A recent macroinvertebrate study found that the stream to have fair water quality and nearly 20% of the macroinvertebrates sampled were mayflies, caddisflies and stoneflies. Despite this, over 60% of the macroinvertebrates sampled were midges, which often indicate ecological disturbances including those that can be attributed to non-point sources of pollution such as soil erosion (Gamman, 1983; Marshall, 1999). In addition, a study done by USGS on Kuenster Creek showed the stream carries a median unit-area load (tons per square mile) of sediment of 332 tons per square mile with a maximum load of 1,010 tons of sediment per square mile. The same study showed the stream receiving a median unit-area load of 957 pounds of phosphorus per square mile with a maximum loading of 3,960 pounds per square mile (Corsi, et.al, 1997). Based on these results, it can be assumed that water quality and fisheries in Kuenster Creek are affected by non-point sources of pollution that reach the stream
Date 2001
Author Aquatic Biologist
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 = 11.2 acres, Length = 8.4 miles, Gradient = 21 ft./mile, Flow = 1.5 c.f.s.
A spring-fed stream beginning two miles east of Glen Haven to flow in a southerly direction for two miles and then turning directly east to enter the central portion of Rattlesnake Creek. About 95 percent of the land in the watershed is used for agricultural practices. Bank erosion is quite common. Most of the stream is wide, flat, and open with gravel and rubble being the dominant bottom materials. Water temperature remains high during the summer. The forage species that comprise the fishery include white suckers, common shiners, and creek chubs. Crayfish are abundant. A limited smallmouth bass fishery may exist in the lower reaches.
A total of 88 acres of fresh meadow wetland adjoins the upper reaches. Game assets include muskrats, raccoon, squirrels, and white-tailed deer. Six bridge crossings provide access and ten rural dwellings adjoin the stream.
Date 1972
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
Impaired Waters
Kuenster Creek (957900) from mile 1 to its headwaters was assessed during the 2016 listing cycle; the regional biologist recommended listing for degraded biological community based on current and historical Poor mIBI scores. This water is considered impaired and not meeting its Fish and Aquatic Life use.
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
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 |
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Monitoring Projects
| WBIC | Official Waterbody Name | Station ID | Station Name | Earliest Fieldwork Date | Latest Fieldwork Date | View Station | View Data |
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| 957900 | Kuenster Creek | 10010504 | Kuenster Creek US of Muscallounge Rd | | | Map | Data |
| 957900 | Kuenster Creek | 223253 | Kuenster Creek at Muskallounge Rd Near North Andover WI | 10/13/1988 | 10/21/2002 | Map | Data |
| 957900 | Kuenster Creek | 10010505 | Kuenster Creek | | | Map | Data |
| 957900 | Kuenster Creek | 223368 | Kuenster Creek at Confluence With Rattlesnake Creek | 8/20/1990 | 5/1/1993 | Map | Data |
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Watershed Characteristics
Kuenster Creek is located in the Lower Grant River watershed which is 129.75 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (56%), grassland (25.40%) and a mix of forest (16.50%) and other uses (1.90%). This watershed has 310.53 stream miles, 33.46 lake acres and 298.95 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.