Sandy Creek, Mississippi River Watershed (GP07)
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Sandy Creek, Mississippi River Watershed (GP07)
Sandy Creek (966100)
5.64 Miles
0.37 - 6.01
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, 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.
2019
Poor
 
This river is impaired
Degraded Habitat
Sediment/Total Suspended Solids
 
Grant
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.
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 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

This spring fed stream is tributary to the Mississippi River southeast of Bagley. Slightly less than 50% of its watershed is forested. The remainder is either cropland or pasture. Although it is classified as a class II trout stream, it is limited by its shallow streambed and flashy nature. Both of these factors lend to water temperatures that are marginal for trout reproduction (Smith and Ball, 1972). Sandy Creek is currently on the state’s 303(d) list of impaired water bodies.

Date  2001

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

From: Smith, Tom D., and Ball, Joseph R., Lake and Stream Classification Project. Surface Water Resources of Grant County, Department of Natural Resources, 1972. Surface Area 6.45 acres, Length = 7.6 miles, Gradient; 25 ft;./mile, Flow = 5.2 c.f.s.

A spring-fed stream beginning two miles southwest of Patch Grove and flowing southwest t. enter the Mississippi River two miles southeast of Bagley. Apprqximately 50 percent of the watershed is still forested and access is quite difficult on many portions of the stream. The stream is characterized by long pools, a gravel bottom, and numerous riffle areas. High water temperatures make it very marginal water quality for cold-water species. Brown trout dominate the fishery and forage species are common. Flash flooding has an adverse effect on natural reproduction of trout and production of bottom organisms. .S"oil ana water retaraing structures are needed near the headwaters to protect the fishery resource. Muskrats and migratory waterfowl are common in the 58 acres of timber swamp wetland found near the mouth while most upland varieties inhabit the surrounding hill country. The Upper Mississippi Wildlife and Fish Refuge provides 0.35 mile of public frontage in the lower reaches. Access is also possible from one bridge crossing and the Mississippi River. Two dwellings are found along the banks.

Date  1972

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Sandy Creek, Mississippi River Watershed (GP07) Fish and Aquatic LifeSandy Creek, Mississippi River Watershed (GP07) RecreationSandy Creek, Mississippi River Watershed (GP07) 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.

Reports

Sandy Creek, Sandy Creek upstream of Unnamed Trib (WBIC: 5037082), Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form
Final Draft 2018 Impaired Waters List

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

WBICOfficial Waterbody NameStation IDStation NameEarliest Fieldwork DateLatest Fieldwork DateView StationView Data
966100Sandy Creek10013001Sandy Creek (atCth A)8/3/20118/3/2011MapData
966100Sandy Creek223205Sandy Creek - Sandy Rd. .76 Miles A4/16/198010/22/1980MapData
966100Sandy Creek10052743Sandy Creek upstream of Unnamed Trib (WBIC: 5037082)7/19/201910/10/2019MapData

Watershed Characteristics

Sandy Creek is located in the Mississippi River watershed which is 110.47 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (37.70%), agricultural (19.50%) and a mix of grassland (18.70%) and other uses (23.90%). This watershed has 270.89 stream miles, 1,746.25 lake acres and 6,037.79 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Low 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

Sandy Creek is considered a Cool-Cold 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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