Brennan Creek, Lower East Branch Pecatonica Rivers Watershed (SP03)
Return to Search
Brennan Creek, Lower East Branch Pecatonica Rivers Watershed (SP03)
Brennan Creek (905700)
1.32 Miles
0 - 1.32
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.
2022
Unknown
 
Lafayette
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 (Class II Trout)
Streams 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 through natural reproduction and selective propagation. 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

Originating from surface springs in Green County, the stream flows westward into Lafayette County where it eventually joins the East Branch Pecatonica River. The stream has an existing use as a Class II trout stream for all of its length. The most recent fish survey conducted in 1980 indicated limited numbers of trout and low diversity of species. The stream is still stocked with brown trout however. Although macroinvertebrate sampling conducted in 1990 indicated “very good” water quality, lack of diversity of species indicates stream disturbance. Water quality is likely impacted considering the low numbers and lack of diversity in fish (Marshall, 1991).

Goals of the priority watershed project were to reduce organic loading and erosion by more than 50%, improve trout fisheries, improve and stream and wildlife habitat, and increase aquatic diversity. The stream is stocked annually with brown trout. It has not been evaluated recently.

Date  2010

Author  James Amrhein

Historical Description

Originating from surface springs, this stream trickles westward through hardwood forest and pasture into Lafayette County, where it eventually enters the East Branch of the Pecatonica River. The bottom is primarily a mixture of gravel, muck and silt, although some sand, rubble and boulders are also present. Veronica grows in its cold, clear water.

In Lafayette County, the stream provides fishing for both brown and brook trout, but in Green County it is too small to be stocked with yearling trout. Occasional trout undoubtedly enter Green County from the lower stretches and the headwaters probably provide an important habitat for trout fingerlings. Wildlife values are minimal. Public access on Brennan Creek is limited to a DNR easement with 0.7 miles of frontage.

Surface Acres = 0.4. Length = 1.5 t1iles. Gradient = 60 ft./mi.. Base Discharge = 0.5 cu. ft./sec.

Bush, D.M., R. Cornelius, D. Engle, and C.L. Brynildson. 1980. Lake and Stream Classification Project. Surface Water Resources of Green County, 2nd Edition. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, Wisconsin.

Date  1980

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Historical Description

This creek originates from surface springs in Green County and flows in a westerly direction to the East Branch of the Pecatonica River. It is consideredas a better than average trout stream and is stocked annually with brown trout.

Its watershed area consists of about half agricultural and halfwooded land wiith fresh meadow covering much of the floodplain. Upland game habitat can beconsidered good. Erosion can be considered moderate in the lower portion of this stream. The bottom type consists of sand and silt. There is Division of Conservation easement along the stream just west of the Green County line. It is also accessible from two road bridges.

Brennan Creek, T3N, R5E, Sections 15-1, Surface acres = 1.5, Miles = 2.3, Gradient = 26.1 feet per mile, Total alkalinity = 189 mg/l, Volume of flow = 0.7 cfs.

From: Piening, Ronald; Poff, Ronald; Threinen, C.W., 1967. Lake and Stream Classification Project. Surface Water Resources of Lafayette County, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.

Date  1967

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Brennan Creek, Lower East Branch Pecatonica Rivers Watershed (SP03) Fish and Aquatic LifeBrennan Creek, Lower East Branch Pecatonica Rivers Watershed (SP03) RecreationBrennan Creek, Lower East Branch Pecatonica Rivers Watershed (SP03) 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.

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 Actions2001

Monitoring Projects

WBICOfficial Waterbody NameStation IDStation NameEarliest Fieldwork DateLatest Fieldwork DateView StationView Data
905700Brennan Creek10048152Brennan Creek at Valley Rd5/9/201810/9/2022MapData
905700Brennan Creek10016963Brennen Cr. - Private Drive By Sth 786/11/19866/11/1986MapData
905700Brennan Creek10017133Unnamed Trib/Pecatonica E Br - Site #16 - E Brennan Ln Just off Hwy 78 Betw. Brennan & 78 BridgesLafayette Co.10/30/199010/30/1990MapData
905700Brennan Creek10016967Brennan - Hwy 784/26/19901/17/2022MapData

Watershed Characteristics

Brennan Creek is located in the Lower East Branch Pecatonica Rivers watershed which is 144.80 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily grassland (44.90%), agricultural (35.10%) and a mix of forest (16%) and other uses (3.90%). This watershed has 370.96 stream miles, 107.68 lake acres and 2,029.49 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.

Natural Community

Brennan 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.

More Interactive Maps
View Water in Alternative Map