Water Detail - Robinson Creek, Trout Run and Robinson Creeks Watershed (BR04)

Robinson Creek, Trout Run and Robinson Creeks Watershed (BR04)

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Robinson Creek (1696300)

Size

12 Miles

Segment

0 - 12

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 Mainstem, Cool-Warm Mainstem

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.

2017

General Condition

Poor

This river is impaired

Impairments include

Impairment Unknown

Pollutants include

Total Phosphorus

County

Jackson

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.

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 (Class II Trout)

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.

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

Robinson Creek flows 25 miles before reaching the Black River between Melrose and Black River Falls. This stream historically supported an outstanding Class I trout fishery. The current classifications, Class II and Class III, illustrates the loss of reproduction in the trout population. Numerous impoundments used in the cultivation of cranberries in the tributaries and headwaters of this stream have likely increased average stream temperatures above the threshold for trout reproduction. The Department no longer stocks trout in Robinson Creek. If the headwater and tributary impoundments were removed, this stream may once again attain Class I status (Talley). In 1992, Robinson Creek water was sampled downstream of commercial cranberry marsh complexes on three separate occasions. On one occasion, the water caused complete mortality of two aquatic insect test species. Chemical analysis of the water documented the insecticide diazinon in concentrations adequate to cause the mortality (Schreiber).

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

Date 1999

Author Cynthia Koperski

Robinson Creek, Trout Run and Robinson Creeks Watershed (BR04) Fish and Aquatic Life

Robinson Creek, Trout Run and Robinson Creeks Watershed (BR04) Recreation

Robinson Creek, Trout Run and Robinson Creeks Watershed (BR04) Fish Consumption

Impaired Waters

Robinson Creek (1696300), from the mouth to about a mile west of Hwy I Rd, was placed on the impaired waters list for total phosphorus in 2012. The 2016 assessments showed continued impairment by phosphorus; total phosphorus sample data exceed 2016 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use, however, available biological data do not indicate impairment (i.e. no macroinvertebrate or fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scored in the "poor" condition category). This water was also assessed for temperature and sample data did not exceed 2016 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use. Based on the most updated information, no change in existing impaired waters listing is needed.

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

2018 List of Healthy (Category 2) Waters

Final Draft 2018 Impaired Waters List

Comprehensive 2018 River/Stream Water Quality Assessments

Comprehensive 2016 Rivers Stream Assessments

Rivers TP Summary 2012

Jackson County Surface Water Resources 1968

Recommendations

Monitor Aquatic Biology

Conduct biological monitoring on Robinson Creek wbic 1696300 by 2018.

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
Fish Propagation Actions	2001

Monitoring Projects

WBIC	Official Waterbody Name	Station ID	Station Name	Earliest Fieldwork Date	Latest Fieldwork Date	View Station	View Data
1696300	Robinson Creek	10038965	Robinson Creek - Held Property Fish Station	1/1/2015	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1696300	Robinson Creek	10021440	Robinson Creek At Robinson Road	10/9/2007	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1696300	Robinson Creek	10039641	Robinson Creek 0.5 mi N of CTH O and Partridge Rd	4/16/2009	4/16/2009	Map	Data
1696300	Robinson Creek	10016108	Robinson Creek - Fall Hall Road	5/13/1992	5/13/1992	Map	Data
1696300	Robinson Creek	275011	Robinson Creek - Exact Location Unknown			Map	Data
1696300	Robinson Creek	10008517	Robinson Creek at Dodge Rd X-Ing	10/2/2001	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1696300	Robinson Creek	10008516	Hwy 27			Map	Data
1696300	Robinson Creek	10040765	Robinson Creek 1000ft DS West Pine Hill Rd			Map	Data
1696300	Robinson Creek	10039117	Robinson Creek downstream HWY 27	12/21/2012	10/21/2017	Map	Data
1696300	Robinson Creek	10039413	Robinson Creek at Kelly Rd	5/31/2014	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1696300	Robinson Creek	10038962	Robinson Creek 1100' DS of Fall Hall Rd to 1540' US of Fall Hall Rd	1/1/2015	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1696300	Robinson Creek	10038964	Robinson Creek - Ciriacks Property Fish Station	1/1/2015	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1696300	Robinson Creek	10038963	Robinson Creek - Highway 27 upstream Fish Station	1/1/2015	1/1/2015	Map	Data

Watershed Characteristics

Robinson Creek is located in the Trout Run and Robinson Creeks watershed which is 216.93 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (72.30%), agricultural (11%) and a mix of wetland (6.70%) and other uses (10.00%). This watershed has 326.05 stream miles, 791.85 lake acres and 17,562.31 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked High for runoff impacts on streams, Not Available for runoff impacts on lakes and Low for runoff impacts on groundwater and therefore has an overall rank of Low. 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

Robinson Creek is considered a Cool-Cold Mainstem, Cool-Warm Mainstem 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) Mainstem streams are moderate-to-large but still wadeable perennial streams with cold to cool summer temperatures. Coldwater fishes are common to uncommon, transitional fishes are abundant to common, and warm water fishes are uncommon to absent. Headwater species are common to absent, mainstem species are abundant to common, and river species are common to absent.