Beaver Creek, Beaver Creek and Lake Marinuka Watershed (BR02)
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Beaver Creek, Beaver Creek and Lake Marinuka Watershed (BR02)
Beaver Creek (1677500)
11 Miles
7.04 - 18.04
Natural Community
Cool-Cold Mainstem, Cool-Warm Mainstem, Coldwater
Year Last Monitored
2020
Poor
 
This river is impaired
High Phosphorus Levels
Total Phosphorus
 
Trempealeau
Trout Water 
Yes
Outstanding or Exceptional 
No
Impaired Water 
Yes

Fish and Aquatic Life

Current Use
Restricted Aquatic Life
Attainable Use
Cold (Class II Trout)
Designated Use
Cold

Overview

Beaver Creek begins at the confluence of the North and South Forks of Beaver Creek at Ettrick. It flows approximately 15 miles to the Black River. Lake Marinuka, an impoundment of Beaver Creek in Galesville, traps sand and sediment transported from the watershed. Below the lake, the substrate primarily consists of gravel and rubble. In the portion of Beaver Creek below the dam, streambanks are largely protected by wetlands. Beaver Creek is a Class II trout stream from Ettrick to Lake Marinuka, and a forage fishery below the dam to the Black River. Tributaries to Beaver Creek above the lake carry a considerable amount of sediment to the main stem due to their high gradients and exposed streambanks (WDNR, 1986). Fishery surveys conducted in 1985 and again in 1996 indicated an increase in trout densities. However no young of year trout were documented. The stocking records indicate the number of fish stocked prior to the 1996 surveys was 117% higher than in 1985. The higher trout densities found in 1996 are probably a result of higher stocking rates (Hazuga).

From: Koperksi, Cindy. 1999. Black River Water Quality Management Plan (draft). Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.

Date  1999

Author  Cynthia Koperski

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.
Fish and Aquatic Life communities are not fully supported in this ecosystem.
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.