Dane
No
No
No
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
Halfway Prairie Creek is an 11-mile tributary that originates at Indian Lake and flows to
Black Earth Creek on the west side of the Village of Mazomaine. Ditching and sedimentation
have caused habitat problems on the creek. Currently the creek is listed as an impaired water
body (on the 303 (d) list due to sedimentation and loss of instream habitat) but with the
restoration of some of the natural stream courses and a reduction in non-point source
pollution, the water quality could be improved to support a cold water fishery. Access is
available from Indian Lake and bridges.
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
Historical Description
Halfway Prairie Creek -T8N, R6E, Sec. 16, Surface acres = 7, Length = 11 miles, Stream order = II, Gradient = 15.7 ft/mile,
Base discharge = 5.7 cfs.
Indian Lake and its surrounding wetlands form the headwaters of this small tributary to Black Earth Creek. A diverse wetland area also adjoins the stream in Section 8, T8N, R7E. Several small seasonal trIbutaries contrIbute flow, and Wendt Creek joins Halfway Prairie Creek just upstream from the mouth. Previous ditching, stream bank erosion, and heavy grazing adversely affect water quality. Warm temperatures and low flow in summer limit the fishery to warm water forage species. Access is available at the county park at Indian Lake, at six road crossings, and from Black Earth Creek.
FIsh species: fathead minnow, creek chub, and white sucker.
From: Day Elizabeth A.; Grzebieniak, Gayle P.; Osterby, Kurt M.; and Brynildson, Clifford L., 1985. Lake and Stream Classification Project. Surface Water Resources of Dane County, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI
Date 1985
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
Impaired Waters
Halfway Prairie Creek (1248800) was assessed during the 2016 listing cycle; biological impairment was observed (i.e. at least one macroinvertebrate or fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) average 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
Monitor Water Quality or Sediment
Category 5A. Temperature listing was removed based on biologist assessment of the data, but will need to be reassessed in 2020.
Monitor or Propose 303(d) Listing
20061031-13-11R1
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
| WBIC | Official Waterbody Name | Station ID | Station Name | Earliest Fieldwork Date | Latest Fieldwork Date | View Station | View Data |
|---|
| 1248800 | Halfway Prairie Creek | 10016489 | Halfway Prairie - Cth K. | 5/14/1986 | 5/14/1986 | Map | Data |
| 1248800 | Halfway Prairie Creek | 10043213 | Halfway Praire Creek at Outlet (dam) of Indian Lake | 2/9/2015 | 2/9/2015 | Map | Data |
| 1248800 | Halfway Prairie Creek | 10014472 | Halfway Prairie Cr-US Sth 19 (0.2 Miles West Of Marxville) | 5/14/1986 | 5/14/1986 | Map | Data |
|
Watershed Characteristics
Halfway Prairie Creek is located in the Black Earth Creek watershed which is 105.20 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (37.80%), agricultural (36.90%) and a mix of grassland (16.20%) and other uses (9.20%). This watershed has 196.86 stream miles, 204.29 lake acres and 1,541.75 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.