Winnebago
No
No
Yes
Fish and Aquatic Life
Historical Description
Spring Brook, T18N, R15E, Section 3 (15), Area = 22.2 acres, Length = 4.9 miles, Gradient = 8.5 feet/mile.
Spring Brook i s a clear, hard water stream divided into two distinct segments. The lower
two miles comprise a bayou off Lake Butte des Morts. This segment i s a popular fishing and hunting area
supporting a fishery similar to that detailed in adjacent wetlands. Silt is the major bottom
material. American Lotus is found in moderate density. The upper portion is a small clear
water stream having a very low flow. Forage species and many young-of-the-year carp are
present. Much of this portion of stream is intermittent, although it carries large volumes
of water during peak runoff periods. Flooding is generally not a problem, however. One town,
one county, and one state highway provide public access.
From: 1975. Surface Water Resources of Winnebago County: Lake and Stream Classification Project.
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.
Date 1975
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
Impaired Waters
Spring Brook (140300) from it's mouth to two miles upstream was placed on the impaired waters list in 2014 for total phosphorus. The 2016 assessments showed continued impairment by phosphorus; total phosphorus sample data overwhelmingly exceeded 2016 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Fish and Aquatic Life use, however, available biological data do not indicate impairment (i.e. no macroinvertebrate or fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scored in the "poor" condition category). Based on the most updated information, no change in existing impaired waters listing is needed.
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
Land Acquisition
The Butte des Morts Cohnservation Club will acquire approximately 1,183 acres of land, including 13,000 feet of shoreline, situated on Lake Butte des Morts in Winnebago County to protect Lake Butte des Morts, and its fish and wildlife habitat.
Navigability Determination
S16 T18N R15E ; Spring Brook, trib; extension of previous determi
Navigability Determination
18N 15E S29; unnamed trib to Spring Brook;
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 |
|---|
| 140300 | Spring Brook | 10014656 | Spring Brook At Hwy 21 | 10/31/2006 | 10/27/2023 | Map | Data |
|
Watershed Characteristics
Spring Brook is located in the Lake Butte Des Mortes watershed which is 79.65 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (43.60%), open (16.80%) and a mix of suburban (13.40%) and other uses (26.30%). This watershed has 128.44 stream miles, 85.47 lake acres and 1,498.62 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.