Overview

Rock River Water Quality Management Plan, Lower Rock River Appendix. WT-668-2002. South Central Region, WDNR.

Bark River The Bark River originates in Bark Lake in southern Washington County and flows southwesterly through Waukesha and Jefferson counties, joining the Rock River at Fort Atkinson. Stream water quality in the Bark River is generally poor, with conditions slightly better in the river's headwaters. There are five lakes and three impoundments on the river; three of these lakes are directly influenced by the river.

The Bark River is classified as a warm water sport fishery but is only partially meeting that use, primarily due to urban and rural polluted runoff entering the river and its tributaries. Most of the urban runoff pollution occurs in Waukesha County, where rapid development of urban and suburban “pockets” occurs along and between its many lakes.

The now-abandoned Hartland wastewater treatment plant discharged to the river upstream of Nagawicka Lake. Due to poor operation, it was identified as a major source of conventional pollutants to the river, which led to poor water quality. The old facility was replaced by the Delafield-Hartland wastewater treatment plant in 1980. A 1983 post-abandonment study indicates improved in-stream water quality conditions with reductions in ammonia, total and soluble phosphorus, biochemical oxygen demand loading, fecal coliform and streptococcus bacteria, in-stream sludge deposits, and plant biomass.

The Jefferson County portion of this river is a meandering, turbid, low-gradient stream with local flooding problems. The fishery consists of northern pike, channel catfish, panfish, and rough fish. Water quality has been degraded by polluted runoff from barnyards and farm fields and from hydrologic modifications such as ditching and straightening of tributary streams. Wetland drainage has also affected water quality. Significant wetlands exist adjacent to the Bark River in Jefferson County and some support spawning of game fish. A large state wildlife area at Prince’s Point offers a variety of recreational activities.

Date  2002

Author   Aquatic Biologist

General Condition

The Bark River (WBIC 813500) from the NW corner of Bark River Parkway to its headwaters was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; new total phosphorus and biological (fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scores) sample data were clearly below the 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Fish and Aquatic Life use. This water was meeting this designated use and was not considered impaired.

Date  2017

Author  Ashley Beranek

Impaired Waters

Bark River (813500) from mouth at Rock River to Scuppernong Creek was assessed during the 2016 listing cycle; 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).

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

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

Bark River is located in the Bark River watershed which is 185.84 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (29.90%), wetland (22.40%) and a mix of forest (15.20%) and other uses (32.50%). This watershed has 265.69 stream miles, 3,499.26 lake acres and 22,145.94 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Medium for runoff impacts on streams, High 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.