Columbia
No
No
No
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
Middle Branch Duck Creek joins with North Branch Duck Creek at Wyona Lake to form the main stem of Duck Creek. The creek is a Class III trout stream for 2.5 miles of its length. Water quality in the upper reaches of the stream, above muck farms, has good water quality. Portions of the creek have been channelized, as have some of the unnamed tributaries. The stream carries a heavy sediment load, particularly from some muck farms adjacent to the stream. The owner of a muck farm has applied for federal funding through the Wetlands Reserve Program, (WRP), to restore the land back to a wetland. This would most likely help to improve the water quality within the stream. Public access to the stream could be improved.
Date 2002
Author Cynthia Koperski
Historical Description
Middle Branch Duck Creek joins with North Branch Duck Creek at Wyona Lake to form
the main stem of Duck Creek. Water quality in the upper reaches of the streanl, above
muck farms, has good water quality (WDNR, 1991). Portions of the creek have been
channelized, as have some of the unnamed tributaries. The stream carries a heavy
sediment load, particularly from some muck farms adjacent to the stream (WDNR,
1991, Morton, 1991-1992). A notice of intent to issue quality citation was given to
a muck farm. The situation has been cleaned up (WDRN, 1991, Morton, 1991-1992).
Date 1994
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
Historical Description
Duck Creek, Middle Branch, T12N, R10E, Section 22, Surface Acres = 31.7, Miles =15.4, Gradient = 11.04 feet per mile.
A stream of moderate gradient which flows to the Wyocena Millpond. A
trout stream, Jennings Creek, is its principal spring water source; above this
tributary water quality is less desirable. Bass and panfish provide a fishery
in the stream, however, forage species are the most common occupants. Several
county and town roads provide access. About 321 acres of wetland adjoin the stream.
From: Poff, Ronald J. and C.W. Threinen, 1965. Surface Water Resources of Columbia County:
Lake and Stream Classification Project. Wisconsin Conservation Department, Madison, WI.
Date 1965
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
General Condition
Duck Creek, Middle Branch (WBIC 1269300) from its mouth to CTH G was was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; new total phosphorus sample data were clearly below the 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Fish and Aquatic Life use.
The segment from CTH G to Jennings Creek was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; new biological (fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scores) sample data were clearly below the 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Fish and Aquatic Life use.
The segment from Jennings Creek to the headwaters was assessed during the 2016 listing cycle; new biological (macroinvertebrate and fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scores) sample data were clearly below the 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Fish and Aquatic Life use.
This water was meeting this designated use and was not considered impaired.
Date 2017
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
Recommendations
Restore Wetlands
Restore Wetlands
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 |
|---|
| 1269300 | Middle Br Duck Creek | 10043578 | Middle Branch Duck Creek at Hwy GG | 1/1/2015 | 9/9/2024 | Map | Data |
|
Watershed Characteristics
Middle Br Duck Creek is located in the Duck Creek and Rocky Run watershed which is 140.89 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (43.10%), wetland (19.90%) and a mix of forest (18.40%) and other uses (18.60%). This watershed has 232.25 stream miles, 1,895.92 lake acres and 16,023.66 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked Medium for runoff impacts on streams, Low 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.