Overview

The Beaver Dam River is the largest stream in this watershed, flowing for 31 miles before emptying into the Crawfish River. This river is severely affected by polluted runoff from soil erosion and barnyard runoff. These sources deliver excessive amounts of sediment and nutrients to the river and lead to excessive populations of rough fish. The river experiences low dissolved oxygen levels and temperature fluctuations. Stream flows are controlled by the dam in the City of Beaver Dam (WDNR, 1993). The American eel, a fish on the state's watch list, has been found in the river (Fago, 1982). The dam at Lowell prohibits fish migration up and down the river. The lower reach of the river flows through the wetlands in and around the Mud Lake Wildlife Area.

The river winds through the City of Beaver Dam, (population 14,000). Commercial buildings encroach upon the riverbank downtown. In 2001, the city completed a sewer service area plan as required under Chapter NR 121, Wisconsin Administrative Code. The plan helps the city better manage urban growth; identify areas for development and guide how that development will be staged over time. The plan also identifies environmentally sensitive areas such as wetlands, floodplains, stormwater conveyance and treatment areas, and other areas unsuitable for development or otherwise not to be developed.

An old coal gasification plant site is in Beaver Dam adjacent to the Beaver Dam River. Groundwater and river sediment monitoring has indicated there are no existing threats to groundwater from coal tars or associated contaminants at the site (WDNR, 1994).

Beaver Dam is experiencing growth; recently, at least one of the surrounding towns has reported problems associated with increased stormwater flows. Apparently, these increased flows are causing problems for property owners adjacent the city. The city obtained a DNR grant through the Beaver Dam River Nonpoint Pollution Priority Watershed Project to develop a construction site erosion control ordinance. The ordinance, which went into effect in 2001, is expected to provide increased control of sediment runoff into the watershed. Also in 2001, the city installed a large stormwater detention pond through funding obtained from the Priority Watershed Project. The detention pond is located on the east side of highway 151 and helps control urban stormwater runoff and pollution in the area.

The city operates an activated sludge wastewater treatment plant. The city did experience bypassing in 1998 due primarily to heavy rains.

The city could better protect Beaver Dam River and Beaver Dam Lake, particularly through the Beaver Dam River Watershed Priority Watershed Project. Protection measures could include enacting and enforcing a stormwater management ordinance, and acquiring parkland and natural areas adjacent and along drainage ways leading to the river and lake.

Lowell and Reeseville, two small communities two miles apart, operate wastewater treatment plants. Both are lagoon systems that discharge to the Beaver Dam River. Reeseville has added a disinfection unit to aid treatment.

Date  2002

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Land Use

The Beaver Dam River Watershed drains 292 square miles of land in Dodge, Columbia, Green Lake and Fond du Lac counties in South Central Wisconsin. The watershed is part of the Upper Rock River Basin. The Beaver Dam River drains to Crawfish River. The Beaver Dam River Watershed was divided into 17 smaller drainage areas, called subwatersheds, for this planning effort. Land use in the watershed is mainly agricultural, and is currently dominated by dairy and cash grain farming. The watershed population is stable approximately 35,000 people. About half the population of the watershed lives in rural areas, while half live in the cities of Beaver Dam, Fox Lake, and Juneau.

Date  2018

Author   Priority Watershed Plan

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

Recommendations

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

Monitoring Projects

Watershed Characteristics

Beaver Dam River is located in the Beaver Dam River watershed which is 290.25 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (62.90%), wetland (13.80%) and a mix of grassland (9.50%) and other uses (13.90%). This watershed has 421.30 stream miles, 3,607.03 lake acres and 29,349.96 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.