Impaired Waters
The 2018 assessments of Big Beaver Creek (From mouth upstream to STH 64, miles 0-6.42) showed impairment by phosphorus; new total phosphorus sample data exceeded the 2018 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use. However, available biological data did not indicate impairment (i.e. no macroinvertebrate or fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scored in the "poor" condition category). Based on the most updated information, this water was proposed for the impaired waters list.
Date 2017
Author Ashley Beranek
Impaired Waters
The 2018 assessments of Big Beaver Creek (From STH 64 upstream to headwaters, miles 6.42-9.11) showed impairment by phosphorus; new total phosphorus sample data exceeded the 2018 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use. However, no biological data (i.e. no macroinvertebrate or fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scores) were available to assess biological impairment. Based on the most updated information, this water was proposed for the impaired waters list.
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
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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2076200 | Big Beaver Creek | 10009283 | A-4 | 10/22/2002 | 9/29/2016 | Map | Data |
2076200 | Big Beaver Creek | 10044087 | Big Beaver Creek - US of 1230th | | | Map | Data |
2076200 | Big Beaver Creek | 173060 | Big Beaver Creek - Tn Rd Sec 32 And 5-1210th | 4/28/1979 | 5/1/1989 | Map | Data |
2076200 | Big Beaver Creek | 10043099 | Big Beaver Creek 50m DS of Public Land fence | 5/29/2014 | 10/27/2018 | Map | Data |
2076200 | Big Beaver Creek | 10011919 | Big Beaver Creek - 3-Beaver Creek. 950' D.S. Of 1230th Ave. | | | Map | Data |
2076200 | Big Beaver Creek | 173068 | Big Beaver Creek - Cth F Sec 10 | 10/24/1979 | 10/24/2022 | Map | Data |
2076200 | Big Beaver Creek | 10037915 | Big Beaver Creek near confluence of Hay River | 5/4/2011 | 10/29/2018 | Map | Data |
2076200 | Big Beaver Creek | 10043977 | BIG BEAVER CREEK - US of HWY 64 | 1/1/2015 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
2076200 | Big Beaver Creek | 10011916 | Big Beaver Creek 2 - 50' U.S. Of 1210th Ave. | 10/26/1982 | 10/24/2022 | Map | Data |
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Watershed Characteristics
Big Beaver Creek is located in the Hay River watershed which is 289.60 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (38%), agricultural (30.20%) and a mix of grassland (20.60%) and other uses (11.20%). This watershed has 516.98 stream miles, 2,647.38 lake acres and 15,179.56 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked Not Available 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.