Water Detail - Chaffee Creek, Mecan River Watershed (UF09)

Chaffee Creek, Mecan River Watershed (UF09)

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Chaffee Creek (155900)

Size

13.96 Miles

Segment

1.66 - 15.62

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, 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.

2024

General Condition

Poor

This river is impaired

Impairments include

Elevated Water Temperature

Pollutants include

Unknown Pollutant

County

Marquette, Waushara

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.

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 I Trout)

Streams supporting a cold water sport fishery, or serving as a spawning area for salmonids and other cold water fish species through natural reproduction. 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.

Historical Description

Chaffee Creek, TI7N, RIDE, Section 16, Surface Acres = 27.7, Miles = 17.6, Gradient = 6.8 feet per mile.
A long, low-gradient stream which originates in a large spring pond near Pleasant Lake and flows generally easterly to join the Mecan River. The stream has excellent water quality, is clear, and flows generally over sand. The entire stream supports trout with all species present and brown trout most common. Northern pike are also present and constitute a threat to the fishery due to predation. Much of the stream is posted against trespass. About five miles of the stream has natural reproduction of trout. The only major tributary, Wedde Creek, is also a trout stream. Access is afforded by numerous road crossings. About 4.23 miles of stream are in public ownership in 1,085 acres of public hunting and fishing ground.

From: Poff, Ronald J. and Threinen, C.W., 1963. Lake and Stream Classification Project. Surface Water Resources of Marquette County, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.

Date 1963

Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Chaffee Creek, Mecan River Watershed (UF09) Fish and Aquatic Life

Chaffee Creek, Mecan River Watershed (UF09) Recreation

Chaffee Creek, Mecan River Watershed (UF09) Fish Consumption

Impaired Waters

The 2018 assessments of Chaffee Creek (14th Ave to the headwaters) showed impairment by temperature; new temperature sample data exceeded the 2018 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use. Available biological data do 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

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

Chaffee Creek, Chaffee Creek - 11th Ln, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Chaffee Creek, Chaffee Creek - Interstate 39 Ibi Station3, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

2020 Comprehensive WQ Assessments

Final Draft 2018 Impaired Waters List

Comprehensive 2018 River/Stream Water Quality Assessments

Comprehensive 2016 Rivers Stream Assessments

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

Monitoring Projects

WBIC	Official Waterbody Name	Station ID	Station Name	Earliest Fieldwork Date	Latest Fieldwork Date	View Station	View Data
155900	Chaffee Creek	10030586	Chaffee Creek - 11th Ct	8/8/2017	9/14/2017	Map	Data
155900	Chaffee Creek	10030589	Chaffee Creek - 11th Ln	1/1/2015	10/9/2019	Map	Data
155900	Chaffee Creek	10010715	Chaffee Creek - Interstate 39 Ibi Station3	10/6/2003	10/9/2019	Map	Data
155900	Chaffee Creek	393027	Chaffee Creek at 14th Ave.			Map	Data
155900	Chaffee Creek	10041821	Chaffee Creek at 11th Lane	7/14/2005	9/18/2024	Map	Data
155900	Chaffee Creek	10022426	Chaffee Creek Cth Y	6/21/2005	8/29/2024	Map	Data
155900	Chaffee Creek	10010716	Chaffee Creek - CTH B	5/20/1997	9/18/2024	Map	Data
155900	Chaffee Creek	10048951	Chaffee Creek - 7th Drive (JJ)	7/5/2005	8/29/2024	Map	Data
155900	Chaffee Creek	10041326	Chaffee Creek at 14th Ave	7/14/2005	9/18/2024	Map	Data
155900	Chaffee Creek	10055929	Chaffee Creek at Henry Shore Rd	9/10/2021	8/29/2024	Map	Data
155900	Chaffee Creek	393127	Chaffee Creek at Cth B	4/14/1995	8/31/2023	Map	Data
155900	Chaffee Creek	10047405	Wetland [ID 70423695045]	9/8/2016	9/8/2016	Map	Data
155900	Chaffee Creek	10016359	Chaffee Creek - Dakota Ave	10/8/1998	8/29/2024	Map	Data
155900	Chaffee Creek	10010717	Chaffee Creek - Cth Y Ibi Station 1	10/6/2003	8/31/2023	Map	Data
155900	Chaffee Creek	10055529	Chaffe Creek, Upstream of Hwy 39 (South), USGS Gage	7/13/2021	8/29/2024	Map	Data
155900	Chaffee Creek	10010713	Chaffee Creek - Cth Ch Ibi Station 4	10/2/2003	1/1/2015	Map	Data
155900	Chaffee Creek	10039561	Chaffe Creek - CTH CH	7/5/2005	9/18/2024	Map	Data
155900	Chaffee Creek	10054692	Wedde Creek Spring Pond	10/2/2020	10/2/2020	Map	Data
155900	Chaffee Creek	10030590	Chaffee Creek - Dakota Road	1/1/2015	8/31/2023	Map	Data

Watershed Characteristics

Chaffee Creek is located in the Mecan River watershed which is 148.31 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (48.40%), agricultural (21.30%) and a mix of wetland (20.30%) and other uses (10.00%). This watershed has 166.56 stream miles, 1,837.44 lake acres and 18,622.87 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Not Ranked 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

Chaffee Creek is considered a Cool-Cold Mainstem, Cool-Warm Mainstem, 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.

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.

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