Water Detail - Richland Creek, Knapp Creek Watershed (LW08)

Richland Creek, Knapp Creek Watershed (LW08)

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Richland Creek (1206000)

Size

9.71 Miles

Segment

0 - 9.71

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.

Cool-Cold Mainstem, Cool-Cold 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.

2024

General Condition

Poor

This river is impaired

Impairments include

Impairment Unknown

Pollutants include

Total Phosphorus

County

Crawford

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.

Yes

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.

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.

Yes

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.

Restricted Aquatic Life

Fish and Aquatic Life communities are not fully supported in this ecosystem.

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.

Cold (Class I Trout)

Streams supporting a cold water sport fishery, or serving as a spawning area for salmonids and other cold water fish species through natural reproduction. Representative aquatic life communities, associated with these waters, generally require cold temperatures and concentrations of dissolved oxygen that remain above 6 mg/L. Since these waters are capable of supporting natural reproduction, a minimum dissolved oxygen concentration of 7 mg/L is required during times of active spawning and support of early life stages of newly-hatched fish.

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.

Cold

Streams capable of supporting a cold water sport fishery, or serving as a spawning area for salmonids and other cold water fish species. Representative aquatic life communities, associated with these waters, generally require cold temperatures and concentrations of dissolved oxygen that remain above 6 mg/L. Since these waters are capable of supporting natural reproduction, a minimum dissolved oxygen concentration of 7 mg/L is required during times of active spawning and support of early life stages of newly-hatched fish.

Overview

East Branch Richland Creek, located in southeast Crawford County, flows for 2.5 miles in a
southwesterly direction before reaching Richland Creek just south of Plugtown. This stream
has a gradient of 61 feet per mile and drains steep forested hillsides with some agriculture
found in the valleys. East Branch Richland Creek is not a classified trout stream.
The most recent biological survey, conducted in July 1989, documented brown trout and
numerous minnow species. East Branch Richland Creek was last stocked in the fall of 1989
with brook trout. A fish and habitat survey of East Branch Richland Creek should be
conducted to determine the success of the brook trout stocking and a possible change in
stream classification. Access to this stream is from three road crossings.

Richland Creek, located in southeast Crawford County, flows for 9 miles in a southerly
direction before reaching the Wisconsin River near Boscobel. This stream has a gradient of 55
feet per mile and drains steep forested hills with agriculture found mainly in the valleys.
Richland Creek is a Class II trout stream for its entire length upstream of HWY 60.
The most recent biological survey, conducted in 1965, documented stocked brook, rainbow,
and brown trout as well as northern pike, grass pickerel and rock bass. Some natural
reproduction of brown trout was noted. Many springs were observed along the entire length of
Richland Creek during this survey. A fish and habitat survey of Richland Creek should be
conducted to update the nearly 40 year old data. The WDNR owns a portion of Richland
Creek and a fishing easement. Anglers have reported excellent brown trout fishing since instream
habitat structures were installed in 1996. Richland Creek has been stocked yearly with
brown trout since the early 1960s. Access to this stream is from five road crossings, the
WDNR owned land and WDNR easement property.

From: Ripp, Coreen, Koperski, Cindy and Folstad, Jason. 2002. The State of the Lower Wisconsin River Basin. PUBL WT-559-2002. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.

Date 2002

Author Cynthia Koperski

Overview

Richland Creek, located in southeast Crawford County, flows for 9 miles in a southerly direction before reaching the Wisconsin River near Boscobel. This stream has a gradient of 55 feet per mile and drains steep forested hills with agriculture found mainly in the valleys. Richland Creek is a Class II trout stream for its entire length upstream of HWY 60.

The most recent biological survey, conducted in 1965, documented stocked brook, rainbow, and brown trout as well as northern pike, grass pickerel and rock bass. Some natural reproduction of brown trout was noted. Many springs were observed along the entire length of Richland Creek during this survey. A fish and habitat survey of Richland Creek should be conducted to update the nearly 40 year old data. The DNR owns a portion of Richland Creek and a fishing easement. Anglers have reported excellent brown trout fishing since in-stream habitat structures were installed in 1996. Richland Creek has been stocked yearly with brown trout since the early 1960s. Access to this stream is from five road crossings, the DNR owned land and DNR easement property.

Date 2001

Author Aquatic Biologist

Richland Creek, Knapp Creek Watershed (LW08) Fish and Aquatic Life

Richland Creek, Knapp Creek Watershed (LW08) Recreation

Richland Creek, Knapp Creek Watershed (LW08) Fish Consumption

Impaired Waters

Richland Creek was evaluated in the 2018, 2020, and 2022 cycles. Assessments during the 2020 listing cycle showed total phosphorus levels too high for healthy aquatic communities like plants, fish, and bugs. Available fish sample data and new temperature data did not indicate impairment. This water was placed on the impaired waters list in 2020.

Date 2022

Author Ashley Beranek

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

2019 Total Phosphorus Monitoring Report - Richland Creek at Byers Road

2020 Comprehensive WQ Assessments

2017 Total Phosphorus Monitoring Report - Richland Creek at Byers Road

2018 List of Healthy (Category 2) Waters

Comprehensive 2018 River/Stream Water Quality Assessments

RICHLAND CREEK TSC CHECKLIST FOR TROUT CLASS 2008

RICHLAND CREEK TSC CHECKLIST 2007 FOR TROUT CLASS 2008

RICHLAND CREEK FISH SURVEY 2007-1 FOR TROUT CLASS 2008

Crawford County Surface Water Resources 1972

Recommendations

Citizen-Based Stream Monitoring

Collect chemical, physical, and/or biological water quality data to assess the current overall stream health. The data can inform management decisions and may be used to identify impaired waters for biennial lists.

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
Richland Creek at Byers Road	2099
Fish Propagation Actions	2001

Monitoring Projects

WBIC	Official Waterbody Name	Station ID	Station Name	Earliest Fieldwork Date	Latest Fieldwork Date	View Station	View Data
1206000	Richland Creek	10044131	Richland Creek - Childs Hollow Rd. bridge	7/9/2015	10/9/2024	Map	Data
1206000	Richland Creek	10011313	Richland Creek - Richland Creek Station #1 30m Downstream From Bridge	1/1/2015	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1206000	Richland Creek	10013708	Richland Creek Station 4-1965-Sw 1/4 Sw 1/4 Sec. 4			Map	Data
1206000	Richland Creek	10013709	Richland Creek Stations 1 And 2-1970-Sta. 1-Marietta Valley Bridge-Sta. 2-Spencer Hill Bridge.	9/24/2020	9/24/2020	Map	Data
1206000	Richland Creek	10044917	Richland Creek at Byers Road	5/26/2016	10/9/2024	Map	Data
1206000	Richland Creek	10011315	Richland Creek - Richland Creek Station #3 180m Down From Dnr Gate			Map	Data
1206000	Richland Creek	10041779	Richland Creek 100 M Below Beyer Rd Bridge Crossing	1/1/2015	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1206000	Richland Creek	10050934	Richland Creek - NRSA Site	9/19/2018	9/19/2018	Map	Data
1206000	Richland Creek	10013705	Richland Creek Station 1-1965-Se 1/4 Nw 1/4 Sec. 14-Starts 50 Yds. Upstream Of Mouth.			Map	Data
1206000	Richland Creek	10017270	Richland Creek-1st Riffle Upstream On Dnr Land	10/28/2004	10/28/2004	Map	Data
1206000	Richland Creek	10013706	Richland Creek Station 2-1965-Sw 1/4 Sw 1/4 Sec. 10			Map	Data
1206000	Richland Creek	10022328	Richland Creek St. 3 - 140m Downstream Of Machinery Crossing	1/1/2015	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1206000	Richland Creek	10011314	Richland Creek - Richland Creek Station #2 Road Crossing On Public Easement	1/1/2015	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1206000	Richland Creek	10013707	Richland Creek Station 3-1965-Sw 1/4 Ne 1/4 Sec. 9			Map	Data
1206000	Richland Creek	10022329	Richland Creek St. 4 - 100m Downstream Of Childs Hollow Rd. Bridge	8/8/2012	1/1/2015	Map	Data

Watershed Characteristics

Richland Creek is located in the Knapp Creek watershed which is 158.64 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (53.60%), grassland (23%) and a mix of agricultural (13.60%) and other uses (9.90%). This watershed has 395.31 stream miles, 126.86 lake acres and 6,498.05 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Medium 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.

Natural Community

Richland Creek is considered a Cool-Cold Mainstem, Cool-Cold 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.

Cool (Cold-Transition) Mainstem streams are moderate-to-large but still wadeable perennial streams with cold to cool summer temperatures. Coldwater fishes are common to uncommon, transitional fishes are abundant to common, and warm water fishes are uncommon to absent. Headwater species are common to absent, mainstem species are abundant to common, and river species are common to absent.

Cool (Cold-Transition) Headwaters are small, usually perennial streams with cold to cool summer temperatures. Coldwater fishes are common to uncommon (<10 per 100 m), transitional fishes are abundant to common, and warm water fishes are uncommon to absent. Headwater species are abundant to common, mainstem species are common to absent, and river species are absent.

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