Brick Creek, Popple River Watershed (BR11)
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Brick Creek, Popple River Watershed (BR11)
Brick Creek (1753100)
2.53 Miles
3.95 - 6.48
Natural Community
Coldwater
Year Last Monitored
2017
Unknown
 
Clark
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

Brick Creek is impounded at two locations to create Sportsman Lake and Owen Pond. Sportsman Lake, located north of Owen, is upstream of Owen Pond. In January 1992, Brick Creek had dissolved oxygen levels of 5.8 mg/l below Sportsman Lake and 8.2 mg/l below Owen Pond. However, both impoundments had dissolved oxygen levels <1 mg/l (La Liberte). Dissolved oxygen levels during the summer are expected to be lower than those measured in January since cold water can dissolve more oxygen than warm water. The water quality standard for dissolved oxygen is 5 mg/l.
Poor water quality was documented in Brick Creek below Owen Pond in the spring of 1992. Significant organic loading, which results in lower dissolved oxygen levels, was confirmed through macroinvertebrate testing of the stream (WDNR, 1992(a)). The biological potential of this creek without impoundments is unknown.

From: Koperksi, Cindy. 1999. Black River Water Quality Management Plan (draft). Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.

Date  1999

Author  Cynthia Koperski

Historical Description

Brick Creek T29N, R2W, S36, Surface Acres = 6.9, Miles = 6.0.

Brick Creek is a medium hard water stream having a light brown color that flows south into the Poplar River. It appeared to have a medium gradient. One dam impounds the stream at Owen. Cleared agricultural land constitutes about 70 percent of the watershed. Forage species constitute the fish population. There are 1.2 miles of public frontage. Access is also possible from six bridge crossings and by boat from the impoundment at Owen.

From: Klick, Thomas A. and C.W. Threinen, 1965. Surface Water Resources of Clark County: Lake and Stream Classification Project. Wisconsin Conservation Department, Madison, WI.

Date  1965

Author   Aquatic Biologist

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.