Water Detail - Rush River, Rush River Watershed (LC22)

Rush River, Rush River Watershed (LC22)

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Rush River (2440300)

Size

25.78 Miles

Segment

6.06 - 31.84

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.

2024

General Condition

Good

County

Pierce

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.

Yes

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.

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.

Default FAL

Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.

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 Rush River begins in southern St. Croix County as a warm water forage fishery. As more
springs add cold water to the river, the lower three miles in St. Croix County are designated as Class
III trout. More springs exist at the border with Pierce County, which helps with carryover of
stocked trout. Since little habitat exists for successful natural reproduction, the Pierce County
section is considered Class II, except for the last four miles, which maintains a warm water sport
fishery. The Class II portion is designated an exceptional resource water (ERW) in NR 102. The
ERW designation requires that all new point sources must have discharge limits as stringent as the
water quality found in the Rush River, unless the discharge is needed to correct an environmental
problem. The Rush River is normally a dry run above the city of Baldwin except during storm
runoff. The storm runoff tends to be severe and highly turbid due to cropping of clay soils.
South of Baldwin sinkholes in the riverbed cause the flow to disappear underground. This direct
connection between ground and surface water is potentially very hazardous to groundwater quality.
(See discussion in Groundwater Report.)
While the river most likely always floods during storms, continued farming has decreased
infiltration, which reduces the amount of groundwater entering the Rush River from its numerous
springs. To improve the Class II portion of the Rush River, the stream's average temperature needs
to be decreased. This could be accomplished by increasing the amount of groundwater discharging to
the river. To improve groundwater discharge, best management practices for control of nonpoint
sources of pollution would allow more water to sink into the ground and replenish groundwater
supplies. These measures would also reduce sedimentation and turbidity in the stream, thus
improving in-stream habitat. Additionally, to improve the success of this stream as a Class II
fishery, in-stream habitat that provides cover and protection to fish during flooding is necessary.
The Rush River is an excellent Class II trout stream, with fast growth rates, but severe and
frequent flooding and loss of spring flow threaten this resource. Angler use is considered high. A
stream survey conducted in the St. Croix County portion of the Rush River near Centerville would
document the numbers and species of fish and aquatic insects inhabiting that stretch of river (Engel 1993)

Date 1996

Author Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

Rush River -T28N, R17W, Sec. 34 to T28N, R17W, Sec. 35, Surface Acres = 1.7, Miles = 1.4, Gradient = 10 feet per mile.
Flows south into Pierce County and the St. Croix River. Although its water course has spring origins near Baldwin, it becomes an intermittent stream before reaching Rush River Township and remains so until a mile north of Centerville.
Its fish population consists of an abundance of white suckers, with a few pumpkin- seeds, green sunfish, carp and a variety of forage minnow species. It is subject to very extreme seasonal flooding. Access may be had from several road bridges.

From: Sather, LaVerne M. and Threinen, C.W., 1961. Lake and Stream Classification Project. Surface Water Resources of St. Croix County, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.

Date 1961

Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Rush River, Rush River Watershed (LC22) Fish and Aquatic Life

Rush River, Rush River Watershed (LC22) Recreation

Rush River, Rush River Watershed (LC22) Fish Consumption

General Condition

The Rush River was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; new biological (macroinvertebrate Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scores) 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

A PROPOSAL FOR RUSH RIVER BIOTIC DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

2020 Comprehensive WQ Assessments

2018 Total Phosphorus Monitoring Report - 5- Rush River- Cth A

Rush River, 6 - Rush River, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

2018 List of Healthy (Category 2) Waters

Rush River, 19 - Rush River - 18th Ave. [19], Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Comprehensive 2018 River/Stream Water Quality Assessments

Comprehensive 2016 Rivers Stream Assessments

2013 Total Phosphorus Monitoring Report -Rush River - 385th St.

RUSH RIVER PROJECT DESCRIPTION 2008

Rush Creek Map of Stations Tributary to Lake Pepin

RUSH RIVER, UNNAMED TRIBUTARY, ST. CROIX COUNTY, BALDWIN POTW USE DESIGNATION

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
2440300	Rush River	483079	Rush River at Sth 10			Map	Data
2440300	Rush River	10044490	Rush River - Boomer Palmquist's house in NE NW S5			Map	Data
2440300	Rush River	10015138	Rush Riverat. 780th St. - Station Lt	7/6/2023	9/16/2023	Map	Data
2440300	Rush River	10051363	Rush River - NRSA Site	8/2/2018	10/12/2023	Map	Data
2440300	Rush River	10029204	Rush River - 2000m south of HWY 10 Bridge	10/7/2004	9/29/2023	Map	Data
2440300	Rush River	10008908	5- Rush River- Cth A	6/12/2018	10/4/2018	Map	Data
2440300	Rush River	10044497	Rush River - machinery crossing in S25			Map	Data
2440300	Rush River	10044499	Rush River - NW1/4 NW1/4 of S24			Map	Data
2440300	Rush River	10008925	15-Rush River-730th Ave. [15]			Map	Data
2440300	Rush River	10014420	Rush River- 136 M D.S. 780th St. - Station F			Map	Data
2440300	Rush River	10008924	Rush River - Sth 63 - Station 16	7/15/2022	9/26/2024	Map	Data
2440300	Rush River	10055597	Rush River Spring	7/8/2021	7/8/2021	Map	Data
2440300	Rush River	10008920	Rush River Sth 72 [10]	5/3/1979	11/2/1979	Map	Data
2440300	Rush River	10008922	17- Rush River - Hwy 29 [17]	8/12/2005	9/26/2024	Map	Data
2440300	Rush River	10035216	Rush River - Area of Open Water	8/16/2010	8/16/2010	Map	Data
2444950	Unnamed	10008867	Unnamed Stream Station 1 [Creek 9-12]			Map	Data
2440300	Rush River	483033	Rush River - Hwy 72 W Of Bb Sw Sec 16			Map	Data
2440300	Rush River	10044488	Rush River - 1200' downstream from machinery crossing			Map	Data
2440300	Rush River	10008909	6 - Rush River	9/28/2000	10/30/2023	Map	Data
2440300	Rush River	10032347	Rush River at Saint Croix / Pierce County line			Map	Data
2440300	Rush River	10008926	13- Rush River-Cth N [13]			Map	Data
2440300	Rush River	10008914	14-Rush River [14]	12/17/2013	10/2/2023	Map	Data
2440300	Rush River	10008903	4 - Rush River - 385th St.	10/10/2007	9/29/2023	Map	Data
2440300	Rush River	10008919	11- Rush River- 570th [11]			Map	Data
2440300	Rush River	483078	Rush River at Hwy N In El Paso	9/27/2000	10/18/2023	Map	Data
2440300	Rush River	10009066	Rush River - 780th Ave. - Station 16m			Map	Data
5537900	Unnamed	10044497	Rush River - machinery crossing in S25			Map	Data
2440300	Rush River	10008913	8 - Rush River - 450th Avenue	2/19/2014	9/29/2023	Map	Data
2440300	Rush River	10044498	Rush River - 50' below mouth of Gilman Creek	10/2/2023	8/10/2024	Map	Data
2440300	Rush River	483043	Rush River at Hwy N In El Paso	7/2/1990	10/3/1991	Map	Data
2440300	Rush River	10008915	12- Rush River [12]	7/24/2023	7/24/2023	Map	Data
2440300	Rush River	483064	Rush River at Hwy 29	4/18/2011	4/18/2011	Map	Data
2440300	Rush River	483080	Rush River - 385th St.	9/28/2000	5/4/2022	Map	Data
2440300	Rush River	10008912	9-Rush River 465th Ave	8/21/2021	8/21/2021	Map	Data
2440300	Rush River	10008911	7 - Rush River - 400th St.			Map	Data
2440300	Rush River	10044500	Rush River - NW SW (west line) in S12			Map	Data
2440300	Rush River	10044489	Rush River - 250 yards below mouth of Coulee Creek			Map	Data
2440300	Rush River	10044494	Rush River - SE1/4 NE1/4 of S8			Map	Data
2440300	Rush River	10044496	Rush River - NE1/4 SW1/4 S32 near Randy Christofferson farm			Map	Data

Watershed Characteristics

Rush River is located in the Rush River watershed which is 289.57 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (42.10%), forest (24.30%) and a mix of grassland (23.40%) and other uses (10.10%). This watershed has 599.35 stream miles, 191.91 lake acres and 2,372.17 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Medium 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

Rush River 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.

Maps of Watershed

Rush Creek Map of Stations Tributary to Lake Pepin