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
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.
Warm Headwater
Year Last Monitored
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.
2000
Unknown
 
Sheboygan
Trout Water 
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.
No
Outstanding or Exceptional 
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.
No
Impaired Water 
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.
No

Fish and Aquatic Life

Current Use
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.
Supported Aquatic Life
Waters that support fish and aquatic life communities (healthy biological communities).
Attainable Use
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.
Default FAL
Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.
Designated Use
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.
Default FAL
Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.

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

Unnamed Tributary To Sheboygan Marsh (Elkhart Lake Creek), Sheboygan County, Sheboygan River Watershed (SH03) Fish and Aquatic LifeUnnamed Tributary To Sheboygan Marsh (Elkhart Lake Creek), Sheboygan County, Sheboygan River Watershed (SH03) RecreationUnnamed Tributary To Sheboygan Marsh (Elkhart Lake Creek), Sheboygan County, Sheboygan River Watershed (SH03) Fish Consumption

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.

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

Project Name (Click for Details)Year Started

Monitoring Projects

WBICOfficial Waterbody NameStation IDStation NameEarliest Fieldwork DateLatest Fieldwork DateView StationView Data
59100Unnamed10016551Elkhart Lake Trib To Sheboyg - Downstream Of Cth P11/14/200011/14/2000MapData

Watershed Characteristics

Unnamed is located in the Sheboygan River watershed which is 260.12 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (47.30%), grassland (17.60%) and a mix of wetland (16.70%) and other uses (18.30%). This watershed has 340.24 stream miles, 4,345.33 lake acres and 27,968.05 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Not Available 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.

Natural Community

Unnamed Tributary To Sheboygan Marsh (Elkhart Lake Creek), Sheboygan County is considered a Warm Headwater under the state's Natural Community Determinations.

Natural communities (stream and lake natural communities) represent model results and DNR staff valiation processes that confirm or update predicted conditions based on flow and temperature modeling from historic and current landscape features and related variables. Predicated flow and temperatures for waters are associated predicated fish assemblages (communities). Biologists evaluate the model results against current survey data to determine if the modeled results are corect and whether biological indicators show water quaity degradation. This analysis is a core component of the state's resource management framework. Wisconsin's Riverine Natural Communities.

Warm Headwaters are small, usually intermittent streams with warm summer temperatures. Coldwater fishes are absent, transitional fishes are common to uncommon, and warm water fishes are abundant to common. Headwater species are abundant to common, mainstem species are common to absent, and river species are absent.

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