Unnamed Tributary To Sheboygan Marsh (Elkhart Lake Creek), Sheboygan County, Sheboygan River Watershed (SH03)
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Unnamed Tributary To Sheboygan Marsh (Elkhart Lake Creek), Sheboygan County, Sheboygan River Watershed (SH03)
Unnamed Tributary To Sheboygan Marsh (Elkhart Lake Creek), Sheboygan County (59100)
0.66 Miles
0 - 0.66
Natural Community
Warm Headwater
Year Last Monitored
2000
Unknown
 
Sheboygan
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

UNNAMED TRIBUTARY TO SHEBOYGAN MARSH (ELKHART LAKE CREEK), SHEBOYGAN COUNTY
T16N R21E Sec. 30 Stream Length = 0.8 miles

Elkhart Lake Creek (local name) originates as an outlet from the northeast end of Elkhart Lake, adjacent to the public boat launch near County Highway “P”. This low gradient stream, meanders approximately 0.8 miles through a large wetland complex that is part of the Sheboygan Marsh and discharges to the South Ditch of the marsh. The surrounding watershed is primarily wetland and provides an excellent buffer for the stream.

WDNR personnel surveyed approximately 200 meters of the stream’s fish community and habitat in August 2000. Only 33 individuals were captured during the fish shocking survey; too few to calculate an index of biotic integrity. Fish species that were present included bluegill, pumpkinseed, johnny darter, central mudminnow, black bullhead, common carp, largemouth bass, and northern pike. Fish communities may be limited due to low dissolved oxygen (DO) levels at certain periods and lack of fish cover. Fish use the outlet area of Elkhart Lake as a refuge when DO levels are low in the Sheboygan Marsh. This typically occurs during the hot summer months.

Stream habitat was limited due to the lack of fish cover and habitat types. The bottom substrate consists primarily of sand and silt, and the number of riffles and pools are very few. Zebra mussels are abundant in this stream near the outlet of Elkhart Lake with the population diminsihing downstream towards the South Ditch. Zebra mussles extend the length of the stream and zebra mussels have been found in the Sheboygan Marsh South Ditch in low concentrations (pers. Comm. Galarneau).

Date  2001

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.