Water Detail - Cunningham Creek, O'Neill and Cunningham Creeks Watershed (BR09)

Cunningham Creek, O'Neill and Cunningham Creeks Watershed (BR09)

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Cunningham Creek (1747900)

Size

21.82 Miles

Segment

0 - 21.82

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.

Macroinvertebrate, Cool-Cold Headwater, Cool-Warm Mainstem, Cool-Warm Headwater

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.

2015

General Condition

Poor

This river is impaired

Impairments include

High Phosphorus Levels

Pollutants include

Total Phosphorus

County

Clark

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.

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.

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.

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.

Default FAL

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

Overview

Cunningham Creek is a 22 mile tributary to the Black River. The lower half of the stream can support a sport fishery during wet years. Drought years may preclude sport fish due to low stream flow volumes. Low base flow, heavy sand deposits, and lack of depth in pools, runs and riffles limit the in-stream habitat of Cunningham Creek. Species identified in macroinvertebrate sampling determined better water quality at the downstream site as compared to the upstream site. These results indicate increased organic pollution in the upstream portion of Cunningham Creek (Hazuga). Lynn Dairy has a cooling water discharge to Cunningham Creek.

From: Koperksi, Cindy. 1999. Black River Water Quality Management Plan (draft). Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.

Date 1999

Author Cynthia Koperski

Historical Description

Cunningham Creek T24N, R2W, S27, Surface Acres = 48.2, Miles = 18.5, Gradient = 10.8 feet per mile.

Cunningham Creek is a clear, medium hard water stream that flows west into the Black River. About 90 percent of its watershed consists of cleared agricultural land. Muskellunge, smallmouth bass, northern pike, and panfish comprise the sport fishery. Waterfowl and furbearers are present. There are no public lands adjoining the stream. Access is possible from 15 road crossings.

From: Klick, Thomas A. and C.W. Threinen, 1965. Surface Water Resources of Clark County: Lake and Stream Classification Project. Wisconsin Conservation Department, Madison, WI.

Date 1965

Author Aquatic Biologist

Cunningham Creek, O'Neill and Cunningham Creeks Watershed (BR09) Fish and Aquatic Life

Cunningham Creek, O'Neill and Cunningham Creeks Watershed (BR09) Recreation

Cunningham Creek, O'Neill and Cunningham Creeks Watershed (BR09) Fish Consumption

Impaired Waters

Cunningham Creek (1747900) was placed on the impaired waters list in 2014 for total phosphorus. The 2016 assessments showed continued impairment by phosphorus; total phosphorus sample data exceeded 2016 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, no change in existing impaired waters listing is needed.

Date 2015

Author Aaron Larson

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

2020 Comprehensive WQ Assessments

Final Draft 2018 Impaired Waters List

Comprehensive 2018 River/Stream Water Quality Assessments

Comprehensive 2016 Rivers Stream Assessments

Cunningham Creek 1747900 Seg1 TP Data 2001-2010

TP Watch Waters August 2007 Flood Event Map

Clark County Surface Water Resources 1965

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
1747900	Cunningham Creek	10041169	Cunningham Creek at Miller Ave	10/1/2013	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1747900	Cunningham Creek	10007731	Cunningham Creek - Downstream Of Lynn Dairy Outfall	1/7/1993	1/7/1993	Map	Data
1747900	Cunningham Creek	10010262	Cunningham Creek - Cunningham Creek Station 3	4/24/1996	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1747900	Cunningham Creek	10007734	Cunningham Creek at Sandhill Ave			Map	Data
1747900	Cunningham Creek	10007735	Cunningham Creek at Cth K	4/16/1996	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1747900	Cunningham Creek	10010259	Cunningham Creek - Cunningham Creek Station 1	4/16/1996	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1747900	Cunningham Creek	10007733	Cunningham Creek at Hwy 10 bridge			Map	Data
1747900	Cunningham Creek	10012668	Cunningham Creek At Sth 95/73 Bridge	10/10/2006	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1747900	Cunningham Creek	10007732	Cunningham Creek at Lynn Dairy Outfall	1/7/1993	1/7/1993	Map	Data

Watershed Characteristics

Cunningham Creek is located in the O'Neill and Cunningham Creeks watershed which is 161.85 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (39.90%), forest (31.20%) and a mix of grassland (16%) and other uses (12.90%). This watershed has 329.34 stream miles, 86.59 lake acres and 9,581.29 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Not Ranked 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

Cunningham Creek is considered a Macroinvertebrate, Cool-Cold Headwater, Cool-Warm Mainstem, Cool-Warm Headwater 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 (Warm-Transition) Headwaters are small, sometimes intermittent streams with cool to warm summer temperatures. Coldwater fishes are uncommon to absent, transitional fishes are abundant to common, and warm water fishes are common to uncommon. Headwater species are abundant to common, mainstem species are common to absent, and river species are absent.

Cool (Cold-Transition) Headwaters are small, usually perennial streams with cold to cool summer temperatures. Coldwater fishes are common to uncommon (<10 per 100 m), transitional fishes are abundant to common, and warm water fishes are uncommon to absent. Headwater species are abundant to common, mainstem species are common to absent, and river species are absent.