Mullet Marsh South, Mullet River Watershed (SH05)
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Mullet Marsh South, Mullet River Watershed (SH05)
Mullet Marsh South (56000)
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104.79 Acres
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.
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
Unknown
 
Fond Du Lac
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.
No
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.
No

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.
Supported Aquatic Life
Waters that support fish and aquatic life communities (healthy biological communities).
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.
Supported Aquatic Life
Waters that support fish and aquatic life communities (healthy biological communities).
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.
Default FAL
Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.

Overview

Mullet Creek State Wildlife Area, Fond du Lac County (WBICs 56000 and 5563544)

Around 1968, two dams were placed on Mullet Creek in Fond du Lac County west of CTH “G” to restore wetlands lost by drainage practices. Fish passage has not been addressed and so the dam presents a barrier to fish migration, most of the year. Fish passage occurs during high spring flows and heavy rainfall events via the emergency spillways and water control structures. Fish passage also occurs when full draw-downs are performed on the impoundments. No recent water quality data exist for this portion of the river.

Mullet Creek State Wildlife Area is a 2,217 acre property located in east-central Fond du Lac County. The wildlife area is located 15 miles east of Fond du Lac, and 10 miles west of Plymouth on Hwy 23. Travel south of Hwy. 23 on County Trunk G for one mile to the northeast corner of the wildlife area. This is where Mullet Creek flows under County Trunk G.

Mullet Creek State Wildlife Area consists of a rich array of wetland, forest, grassland and farmland. Mullet Creek flows through the entire property, eventually becoming the Mullet River and joining the Sheboygan River. The central portion of this property consists of shallow open water with submergent vegetation and cattail wetland totaling over 700 acres. Sedge, reed canary grass, willow, dogwood, swamp conifers and swamp hardwoods occur in the lowland areas. Oak, aspen and grass fields occur onthe upland sites.

Hybrid cattail, reed canary grass, garlic mustard, dame’s rocket, sptted knapweed, phragmites, and black locust present challenges to preserving the integrity of the natural communities found here.

Mullet Creek State Wildlife Area is located in the Middle to North Kettle Moraine Priority Conservation Opportunity Area - a terrestrial opportunity area of continental significance within the Southeast Glacial Plain Ecological Landscape.

T15N R19E Sec. 24, Surface Acres = 344, Maximum Depth = unknown

Date  

Author  Laurel Last

Mullet Marsh South, Mullet River Watershed (SH05) Fish and Aquatic LifeMullet Marsh South, Mullet River Watershed (SH05) RecreationMullet Marsh South, Mullet River Watershed (SH05) Fish Consumption

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

Air Photo of Mullet River in Mullet Creek State Wildlife Area 2017

Recommendations

Restore Wetlands
Restore Wetlands
Monitor Targeted Area
Increase invasive species monitoring and control at the Mullet Creek State Wildlife Area.
Fish Management, Access
Consider methods to improve fish passage at Mullet Creek State Wildlife Area, and if deemed desirable, secure funding for fish passage restoration
Master Planning
Ensure that issues and recommendations from the 2010 Mullet River Watershed Plan are considered during master planning and annual property planning for the Mullet Creek State Wildlife Area.

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
Wetland Restoration Database2016

Monitoring Projects

WBICOfficial Waterbody NameStation IDStation NameEarliest Fieldwork DateLatest Fieldwork DateView StationView Data
56000Mullet Marsh 15 Reservoir10002484Mullet Marsh7/27/19999/22/2017MapData

Watershed Characteristics

Mullet Marsh 15 Reservoir is located in the Mullet River watershed which is 88.19 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (38.90%), forest (21.40%) and a mix of grassland (17.90%) and other uses (21.80%). This watershed has 97.54 stream miles, 789.87 lake acres and 6,609.38 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked High for runoff impacts on streams, Not Ranked 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

Mullet Marsh South's natural community is not yet identified 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.