Grant
No
No
No
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
This stream is formed by the confluence of Kieler Creek and Louisburg Creek in Grant County and then flows 6 miles south into Illinois. A fishery survey conducted in 2007 showed this stream contains an abundance of forage species as well as numbers of smallmouth bass, all forming a good coolwater community. Unfortunately, like many other fisheries in southwestern Wisconsin, it is subject to fish kills caused by manure runoff. The most recent event occurred in 2008 when over 140 smallmouth and innumerable non-game fish were killed.
Date 2010
Author James Amrhein
Historical Description
A seepage- and spring-fed stream beginning at the junction of Kieler and Louisburg Creeks and flowing south to enter Illinois two miles southwest of Sinsinawa. This stream is subject to frequent and severe floods. Bank erosion is quite heavy throughout the stream. A dam and resulting lake was proposed to be built on the lower reaches, but it was never started. Flooding could be greatly lessened with the construction of more water and soil-control structures within the watershed. Large pools and boulders provide excellent habitat for the good smallmouth bass population. The abundant forage fish population includes white suckers, common shiners, redbelly dace, creek chubs, stonerollers, brook stickleback and fantailed darters. Muskrats, mink, beaver, and migratory waterfowl inhabit the stream. Upland game species include deer, raccoon, squirrels, and ruffed grouse. A small amount of pollution enters the stream from Louisburg Creek. The stream can be reached from three bridge crossings and eight dwellings adjoin the stream within Grant County.
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 = 9.64 acres. Length = 5.3 miles. Gradient = 19 ft./mile, Flow = 2.9 c.f.s.
Date 1972
Author Aquatic Biologist
Impaired Waters
The 2018 assessments of the Menominee River (WBIC 13853, Unnamed Tributary south of WI/IL boarder to Unnamed Tributary (5041817)) 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 (i.e. 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
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
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
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Monitoring Projects
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Watershed Characteristics
Menominee River is located in the Galena River watershed which is 241.84 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (63.10%), grassland (26.40%) and a mix of forest (5.70%) and other uses (4.60%). This watershed has 572.33 stream miles, 65.18 lake acres and 681.01 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.