Cazenovia Branch, Crossman Creek and Little Baraboo River Watershed (LW23)
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Cazenovia Branch, Crossman Creek and Little Baraboo River Watershed (LW23)
Cazenovia Branch (1283100)
2.01 Miles
0.66 - 2.67
Natural Community
Cool-Cold Mainstem
Year Last Monitored
2015
Good
 
Richland, Sauk
Trout Water 
No
Outstanding or Exceptional 
No
Impaired Water 
No

Fish and Aquatic Life

Current Use
Supported Aquatic Life
Attainable Use
Default FAL
Designated Use
Default FAL

Overview

Cazenovia Branch is a spring and seepage fed tributary to the Little Baraboo River. The stream has been impounded to form Lee Lake in the village of Cazenovia. The lower 2.5 miles of the creek are considered a warm water forage fishery. Another 4.6 miles are considered a Class II trout stream. The stream has some potential to be a Class I trout stream, however, it has some problems with nonpoint sources of pollution. In addition, portions of the creek have been straightened in an attempt to reduce streambank erosion.

Monitoring conducted in 1999 found good water quality as evidenced by the fish species found. A cursory habitat evaluation was conducted during the summer of 2001. The evaluation found the creek to have mostly good quality habitat below Lee Lake, but poor quality above the lake. The main habitat problem above the lake can be attributed to heavy sedimentation and a lack of exposed stream bottom. The habitat further upstream from the lake, however, appeared to be of better quality than that directly above the lake. The most prominent problem is from nonpoint sources of pollution from the surrounding watershed and bank failure and erosion.

Date  2002

Author  Cynthia Koperski

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Waters that support fish and aquatic life communities (healthy biological communities).
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.
Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.
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.
Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.