Gilbert Creek, Wilson Creek Watershed (LC04)
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Gilbert Creek, Wilson Creek Watershed (LC04)
Gilbert Creek (2064600)
1 Miles
10.45 - 11.45
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.
Coldwater
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
Good
 
Dunn
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.
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.
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

The upper portion of Gilbert Creek has an excellent native brook trout population. Streambank
easements have been recommended to protect these waters. Farther downstream, best management
practices could control runoff that may be contributing to higher stream temperatures, undesirable
for trout (WDNR 1982).

Date  1996

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Gilbert Creek, Wilson Creek Watershed (LC04) Fish and Aquatic LifeGilbert Creek, Wilson Creek Watershed (LC04) RecreationGilbert Creek, Wilson Creek Watershed (LC04) Fish Consumption

General Condition

Gilbert Creek (WBIC 2064600) was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; new biological (fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scores) and temperature sample data were clearly below the 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Fish and Aquatic Life use. This water was meeting this designated use and was not considered impaired.

Date  2017

Author  Ashley Beranek

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
2002 Impaired Waters Delisting Documentation
Comprehensive 2018 River/Stream Water Quality Assessments
Comprehensive 2016 Rivers Stream Assessments
GILBERT CREEK IMPAIRED WATERS LISTING DOCUMENTATION

Recommendations

Citizen-Based Stream Monitoring
Collect chemical, physical, and/or biological water quality data to assess the current overall stream health. The data can inform management decisions and may be used to identify impaired waters for biennial lists.
Fisheries Trout Stream Habitat Maintenance and Development
The Ojibleau Chapter of Trout Unlimited proposes to restore 4000 feet of trout stream. Major project elements to include: 1) reshaping and stabalization of eroded streambanks- 2) dredging of silted-in pools- 3) improvement of streamflow from feeder creek- and 4) placement of wiers and lunker structures.
Fisheries Trout Stream Habitat Maintenance and Development
The Ojibleau Chapter of Trout Unlimited proposes to restore 4000 feet of trout stream. Major project elements to include: 1) reshaping and stabalization of eroded streambanks, 2) dredging of silted-in pools, 3) improvement of streamflow from feeder creek, and 4) placement of wiers and lunker structures.
Fisheries Trout Stream Habitat Maintenance and Development
Trout Unlimited, Ojibleau Chapter, proposes to restore trout habitat in a 3,300 ft. section of Gilbert Creek and a 330 ft. stretch of a tributary stream, both in the Town of Lucas in Dunn County. Major project elements incude: 1) bank stabalization, 2) placement of lunker structures, 3) removal of remnants of a spring house, 4) and installation of a gravel crossing or culvert to improve fish migration.
Fisheries Trout Stream Habitat Maintenance and Development
Trout Unlimited- Ojibleau Chapter- proposes to restore trout habitat in a 3-300 ft. section of Gilbert Creek and a 330 ft. stretch of a tributary stream- both in the Town of Lucas in Dunn County. Major project elements incude: 1) bank stabalization- 2) placement of lunker structures- 3) removal of remnants of a spring house- 4) and installation of a gravel crossing or culvert to improve fish migration.

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
TROUT UNLIMITED-WI CLEAR WATERS CHAPTER: Gilbert Creek Restoration #22004
Gilbert Creek at CTH K2011
TROUT UNLIMITED-WI CLEAR WATERS CHAPTER: Gilbert Creek Watershed Management2003
Fish Propagation Actions2001

Monitoring Projects

WBICOfficial Waterbody NameStation IDStation NameEarliest Fieldwork DateLatest Fieldwork DateView StationView Data
2064600Gilbert Creek100210989b- ~1730 Feet D.S. Confluence W/North And South Branch Giblert4/19/20175/3/2017MapData
2064600Gilbert Creek10011673Gilbert Creek - 9-Gilbert Creek. 50' U.S. Of Sth 296/21/200510/13/2016MapData

Watershed Characteristics

Gilbert Creek is located in the Wilson Creek watershed which is 244.75 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (37.50%), forest (31.40%) and a mix of grassland (19.40%) and other uses (11.70%). This watershed has 425.11 stream miles, 1,332.74 lake acres and 5,388.38 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked High for runoff impacts on streams, High 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

Gilbert Creek is considered a Coldwater 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.

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