Fond Du Lac
No
No
Yes
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
The East Branch of the Fond du Lac River begins in south central Fond du Lac County and flows northeasterly to its junction with the West Branch in the City of Fond du Lac. There is intense agriculture throughout much of the watershed. Runoff from plowed fields and barnyards and erosion of heavily grazed and exposed stream banks along the East Branch and its tributaries are adding tons of sediment and nutrients to the river and to Lake Winnebago. Critical soil erosion rate from agricultural lands has been estimated as being 6 tons per acre per year. The East Branch is the largest single sediment contributor to Lake Winnebago (Bruch, 1988).
Date 2011
Author Michael Reif
Impaired Waters
The 2018 assessments of the East Branch Fond Du Lac River (west of HWY D near Hunter Lane to the headwaters; miles 14.5-22.81) showed impairment by phosphorus; new total phosphorus sample data exceeded the 2018 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use. However, available biological data did not indicate impairment. New available biological data were assessed; 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
Impaired Waters
The 2018 assessments of the East Branch Fond Du Lac River (miles 0-14.5) showed continued impairment by phosphorus; new total phosphorus sample data exceeded the 2018 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 the existing impaired waters listing was needed.
Date 2017
Author Ashley Beranek
Impaired Waters
East Branch Fond Du Lac River (135900), from its mouth to about a half mile east of Unnamed Stream (136400), was placed on the impaired waters list for total phosphorus in 2014. The 2016 assessments showed continued impairment by phosphorus; total phosphorus sample data exceed 2016 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use, however, available biological data do not indicate impairment (i.e. no macroinvertebrate or fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scored in the "poor" condition category). This water was also assessed for temperature and sample data did not exceed 2016 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use. 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
Recommendations
Citizen-Based Stream Monitoring
Collect chemical, physical, and/or biological water quality data to assess the current overall stream health. The data can inform management decisions and may be used to identify impaired waters for biennial lists.
Restore Wetlands
Restore Wetlands
Navigability Determination
T15N R17E ; East Branch Fond du Lac River;
Navigability Determination
T15N R17E ; East Branch Fond du Lac River;
Navigability Determination
15N 16E S34; Sevenmile Creek; Extension of previous determination
Navigability Determination
T15N R17E; East Branch Fond du Lac River;
Navigability Determination
T15N R16E S25; Fond du Lac River, East Branch trib;
Monitor Targeted Area
Additional water quality monitoring data should be collected to develop a clearer picture of the overall water quality of the East and West Branch of the Fond du Lac river. In particular, total phosphorus, suspended solids, and macroinvertebrate data should be collected so that effective management strategies can be developed.
Recommendations
Additional water quality monitoring data should be collected to develop a clearer picture of the overall water quality of the river. In particular, total phosphorus, suspended solids, and macroinvertebrate data should be collected so that effective management strategies can be developed.
The East Branch of the Fond du Lac River does not have much data for total phosphorus, suspended solids, or macroinvertebrates. Having a good set of data is important so that effective management strategies can be developed.
Date 2011
Author Michael Reif
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
| WBIC | Official Waterbody Name | Station ID | Station Name | Earliest Fieldwork Date | Latest Fieldwork Date | View Station | View Data |
|---|
| 135900 | East Branch Fond Du Lac River | 203074 | Fond Du Lac River East Branch - Cth Y | 5/14/1980 | 10/27/2015 | Map | Data |
| 135900 | East Branch Fond Du Lac River | 10050919 | East Branch Fond Du Lac River - NRSA Site | 8/20/2018 | 8/21/2018 | Map | Data |
| 135900 | East Branch Fond Du Lac River | 10017017 | E. Br. Fond Du Lac River - 75 M Upstream Of Sth 151 | 5/8/1996 | 5/8/1996 | Map | Data |
|
Watershed Characteristics
East Branch Fond Du Lac River is located in the Fond du Lac River watershed which is 244.74 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (57.30%), grassland (15.90%) and a mix of wetland (10.90%) and other uses (16.00%). This watershed has 461.86 stream miles, 991.41 lake acres and 16,649.99 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked High 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.