Manitowoc
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Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
Pine Creek has agricultural nonpoint sources, two point source dischargers, and several road crossings that impact the water quality of water in Manitowoc County. The stream's potential to support a balanced biological community is also affected by low flow. During spring runoff, Lake Michigan fish species such as smelt may use the mouth areas of Pine Creek for spawning.
An investigation conducted by WDNR biologists suggests the classification of the stream should be upgraded from LAL and WWFF to WWSF and LAL, respectively. A field survey was conducted in October 1996 and biologists believe the classification could be WWSF and LAL. Use the final report that integrated the State Lab of Hygiene water chemistry results and the recommendations to upgrade use classification to WWSF. From: Willman, Guy and Mike Toneys. 2001. The State of the Lakeshore Basin. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.
Date 2001
Author Michael Toneys
General Condition
Agricultural nonpoint sources, two point source dischargers, and several road crossings impact the water quality of Pine Creek in Manitowoc County. The stream's biological potential to support a balanced biological community is affected by low flow. During spring runoff, Lake Michigan fish species such as smelt may use the mouth areas of Pine Creek for spawning. An investigation conducted by WDNR biologists suggests the classification of the stream should be upgraded from LAL and WWFF to WWSF and LAL, respectively. A field survey was conducted in October 1996 and biologists believe the classification could be WWSF and LAL. A report will be generated once the State Lab of Hygiene reports the water chemistry results.
Date 1997
Author Aquatic Biologist
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
Natural Community Review or Change
Station 10045063, Pine Creek 25 Meters US Gass Lake Road was modeled as a WARM HEADWATER but is recommended as a Cool Warm Headwater based on the 2017 Natural Community temperature evaluation analysis tool.
Natural Community Review or Change
Station 10016013, Pine Creek above Cth U was modeled as a WARM HEADWATER but is recommended as a Cool Cold Headwater based on the 2017 Natural Community temperature evaluation analysis tool.
Information and Education
Pine Creek is currently listed for phosphorus. This study provides additional biological data showing impacts from the phosphorus listing.
Best Management Practices, Implement
DNR should work with partners to reduce phosphorus runoff and engage local units of government and watershed residents in stream restoration.
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 |
|---|
| 66300 | Pine Creek | 363372 | Carstens Lake - N Trib | | | Map | Data |
| 66300 | Pine Creek | 10045064 | Pine Creek 120 Meters DS Carstens Road | 6/14/2016 | 9/29/2016 | Map | Data |
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Watershed Characteristics
Pine Creek is located in the Sevenmile and Silver Creeks watershed which is 112.90 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (57.20%), grassland (18.40%) and a mix of wetland (7.50%) and other uses (16.80%). This watershed has 184.08 stream miles, 10,577.89 lake acres and 4,732.70 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked High for runoff impacts on streams, Not Ranked 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.