Water Detail - Byron Creek, Fond du Lac River Watershed (UF03)

Byron Creek, Fond du Lac River Watershed (UF03)

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Byron Creek (137400)

Size

5.59 Miles

Segment

1.67 - 7.26

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.

Macroinvertebrate, Cool-Cold Headwater, Coldwater, Cool-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.

2023

General Condition

Poor

This river is impaired

Impairments include

Elevated Water Temperature, Low DO, Degraded Habitat, Impairment Unknown

Pollutants include

Total Phosphorus, Sediment/Total Suspended Solids

County

Fond Du Lac

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 II Trout)

Streams 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 through natural reproduction and selective propagation. 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

Campground (Byron) Creek rises from several springs at the base of the Niagara escarpment in southeast Fond du Lac County (Weber et al., 1969). It is considered a Class II trout stream from Fond du Lac County Highway Y to a point near its headwaters, approximately 3.3 miles upstream (WDNR, 1980). The stream has a good gradient through this reach. The stream flattens from about mile 0.6 through a main wetland complex just downstream from its origin area (Reif, 2010). The Creek can be considered cold water to that 0.6 mile point and has potential to sustain a brook trout population. The man-made ponds in the large wetland as well as man-made diversions in the wetland degrade it to the point that it warms to near 30 Deg. C in the summer and also results in periodic anoxic conditions that cause fish kills. Much work needs to be done on this wetland problem to restore the trout migration capabilities (Reif, 2010).

The gradient flattens and the stream is dominated by a warm water forage fishery downstream of County Highway Y. The municipal wastewater treatment facility and Seneca Foods discharge to it below County Highway Y. Nonpoint sources of pollution, particularly bank erosion due to cattle grazing, are the main water quality problem in the trout waters reach. Sedimentation from farm tillage practices is also a problem in the downstream reach. Runoff due to excessive spray irrigation by a canning company near Oakfield has occasionally reached the stream and caused water quality problems. There are also some unnamed tributaries to the creek which have intensive agricultural operations on land adjacent to them. Some of these operations may be affecting water quality in Campground Creek (WDNR SCRFiles, 1996). There is one cold water spring-fed tributary (WBIC 137600) that feeds into Campground Creek below the main wetland and is potentially capable of sustaining a trout population (Reif, 2010). Trout have been documented in this tributary in the past (Hacker, 1956).

Date

Author Aquatic Biologist

Byron Creek, Fond du Lac River Watershed (UF03) Fish and Aquatic Life

Byron Creek, Fond du Lac River Watershed (UF03) Recreation

Byron Creek, Fond du Lac River Watershed (UF03) Fish Consumption

Impaired Waters

Campground Creek from its mouth to CTH Y (miles 0 to 1.66) was put on the impaired waters list in 2006 for total suspended solids and degraded habitat. Phosphorus was added to the list in the 2018 cycle.

Campground Creek from CTH Y to its headwaters (miles 1.66 to 7.26) was put on the impaired waters list in 2006 for total suspended solids, low dissolved oxygen, elevated temperature, and degraded habitat. Phosphorus was added to the list in the 2018 cycle. This water is covered by the Upper Fox & Wolf River Basins TMDL, approved by the US EPA on February 27, 2020.

This water is covered by the Upper Fox & Wolf River Basins TMDL, approved by the US EPA on February 27, 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

2020 Comprehensive WQ Assessments

Final Draft 2018 Impaired Waters List

Lower Peshtigo Watershed TWA (2014, 2015) Draft Report 2017

Comprehensive 2018 River/Stream Water Quality Assessments

Campground Creek DS Cty Y NC Verification 2014-15 Dave Bolha

Campground Creek - Above Thill Road 2015 NC Verification Spreadsheet

Streams/Rivers AIS ED Monitoring Pilot 2015 Fond du Lac County, Campground Creek, 137400, 10016834

CAMPGROUND CREEK OR BYRON CREEK, FOND DU LAC COUNTY, VILLAGE OF OAKFIELD WWTP USE DESIGNATION

Recommendations

Navigability Determination

T14N R16E ; Campground Creek;

Navigability Determination

T14N R16E ; Campground Creek;

Monitor and/or Protect Groundwater, Sourcewater

Groundwater use appears to be a serious concern. High capacity wells, such as those of the City of Fond du Lac and several area Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) may be having a significant impact on the flows of springs feeding steams. This needs to be extensively studied to develop water use determinations.

Protect Headwaters and Springs

The origin spring area of Campground Creek is a major source of cold water for that area of the Creek and is important in that it has potential to meet cold trout water conditions. This needs to be protected and restored.

Recommendations

The main wetland complex in the Campground Creek sub-watershed needs to be studied and restored to a natural stream channel. Many useful cold springs enter the wetland but are warmed extensively in the summer. Much of this does not appear to be a natural condition and has been the result of man-made modifications such as mining peat in the wetland.

Groundwater use appears to be a serious concern. High capacity wells, such as those of the City of Fond du Lac and several area Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) may be having a significant impact on the flows of springs feeding steams. This needs to be extensively studied to develop water use determinations.

Groundwater protection areas need to be formally identified for the springs that feed Campground Creek.

The origin spring area of Campground Cr. is a major source of cold water for that area of the Creek and is important in that it has potential to meet cold trout water conditions. This needs to be protected and restored.

Date 2011

Author Aquatic Biologist

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
Fond du Lac Navigability	2008

Monitoring Projects

WBIC	Official Waterbody Name	Station ID	Station Name	Earliest Fieldwork Date	Latest Fieldwork Date	View Station	View Data
137400	Campground Creek	10030859	Campground Creek 100m downstream of River Road	1/1/2015	1/1/2015	Map	Data
137400	Campground Creek	10030858	Campground Creek at Hwy D	1/1/2015	1/1/2015	Map	Data
137400	Campground Creek	10010805	Campground Creek - Campground Creek Habitat Site C1	5/3/2003	8/16/2007	Map	Data
137400	Campground Creek	10016834	Campground Creek - 10 M Upstream Of River Road	5/7/1996	6/16/2015	Map	Data
137400	Campground Creek	10021258	Campground Cr. Above Milpond Rd.	8/8/2007	10/27/2015	Map	Data
137400	Campground Creek	10010823	Campground Creek - Campground Creek Cg8	10/19/2001	10/19/2001	Map	Data
137400	Campground Creek	10021259	Campground Cr. At Oakfield Conservation Club Culvert	8/8/2007	9/15/2010	Map	Data
5588089	Unnamed	10035175	Unnamed - Area of Open Water	7/17/2010	7/29/2011	Map	Data
137400	Campground Creek	10010821	Campground Creek - Campground Creek Below Hwy D	11/8/2000	4/29/2002	Map	Data
137400	Campground Creek	10030857	Campground Creek at Hwy Y	1/1/2015	8/30/2023	Map	Data
5028682	Unnamed	10035175	Unnamed - Area of Open Water	7/17/2010	7/29/2011	Map	Data

Watershed Characteristics

Campground Creek is located in the Fond du Lac River watershed which is 244.74 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (57.30%), grassland (15.90%) and a mix of wetland (10.90%) and other uses (16.00%). This watershed has 461.86 stream miles, 991.41 lake acres and 16,649.99 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked High 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

Byron Creek is considered a Macroinvertebrate, Cool-Cold Headwater, Coldwater, Cool-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.

Cool (Warm-Transition) Headwaters are small, sometimes intermittent streams with cool to warm summer temperatures. Coldwater fishes are uncommon to absent, transitional fishes are abundant to common, and warm water fishes are common to uncommon. Headwater species are abundant to common, mainstem species are common to absent, and river species are 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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