Eagle Creek, Waumandee Creek Watershed (BT06)
Eagle Creek, Waumandee Creek Watershed (BT06)
Eagle Creek (1808400)
3.49 Miles
0 - 3.49
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
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.
2015
Good
 
Buffalo
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.
No
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.
No
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.
No

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.
Supported Aquatic Life
Waters that support fish and aquatic life communities (healthy biological communities).
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.
Class III Trout
Streams capable of supporting a seasonal coldwater sport fishery and which may be managed as coldwater streams.
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.
Default FAL
Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.

Overview

The upper 8.5-mile stretch of this stream is classified as Class III brown trout and the lower nine miles are classified as a warm water stream. Excessive livestock pasturing on the stream banks and trampling of spring seeps by livestock limits the trout fishery in the upper reaches of the stream. Eagle Creek was included in the Waumandee Creek Priority Watershed project area where several types of management practices were implemented, including manure storage facilities, livestock crossings, and stream bank fencing and stabilization. These practices resulted in a statistically significant reduction in suspended solids concentrations and increase in habitat condition. A total suspended solids (TSS) Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) report was approved by EPA in 2003 that addresses the degraded habitat impairment. Post-implementation assessment reports document recovery of this stream's habitat quality (Wang, Lyons, and Kanehl, 2002) and decreased TSS concentrations (USGS, unpublished draft).

Date  2007

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Eagle Creek, Waumandee Creek Watershed (BT06) Fish and Aquatic LifeEagle Creek, Waumandee Creek Watershed (BT06) RecreationEagle Creek, Waumandee Creek Watershed (BT06) Fish Consumption

General Condition

Eagle Creek (miles 9.09-17.56) 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. This water was meeting this designated use and was not considered impaired.

Date  2017

Author  Ashley Beranek

General Condition

Eagle Creek was included in the Waumandee Creek Priority Watershed project area where several types of management practices were implemented, including manure storage facilities, livestock crossings, and streambank fencing and stabilization. These practices resulted in a statistically significant reduction in suspended solids concentrations and increase in habitat condition. A total suspended solids (TSS) Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) report was approved by EPA in 2003 that addresses the degraded habitat impairment. Post-implementation assessment reports document recovery of this stream's habitat quality (Wang, Lyons, and Kanehl, 2002) and decreased TSS concentrations (USGS, unpublished draft).

Date  2011

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Impaired Waters

Impaired Stream Reach is in the upstream portion and runs from the stream confluence with Joos Valley Creek upstream seven miles to the headwaters at Glencoe Ridge. (7 miles). This water's existing use is WWFF, codified use is Cold III (1980 Trout Book) with a potential use is Cold III. The stream quality is reduced by habitat and sedimentation from cropland erosion, streambank pasturing, barnyard runoff. Fish and stream surveys were conducted in 1989 and 2001.

The 2001 survey found significant numbers of brook trout in the upper three miles. The downstream stations had few or no trout. Survey data suggests the upper three miles of Eagle Creek are meeting the codified use of Cold III. Macro-invertebrate sampling at CTH G from 1990-2001. In 2001, the stream had an HBI of 4.051, indicating very good water quality. This is a long-term NPS Master Monitoring site. Data on this stream is included in Evaluation of the Wisconsin Priority Watershed Program for Improving Stream Habitat and Fish Communities by Lizhu Wang and John Lyons (1998). This stream is written up in the 1996 Buffalo-Trempealeau Basin Plan and a TMDL was completed for this stream in 2003.

Date  2003

Author   Aquatic Biologist

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

TMDL Implementation
This Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for sediment addresses sedimentation and degraded habitat impairments conditions in the upper 7 miles of Eagle Creek, and the entire 7 mile length of Joos Valley Creek, a tributary of Eagle Creek. The TMDL identifies load allocations and management actions that will restore the biological integrity of these streams. Both streams were identified as a medium priority on the 1998 303(d) list. USEPA Decision Document for the Approval of the Eagle Creek Joos Valley Creek Sediment TMDL is documented and the streams have been delisted. Implementation Plan is needed.
TMDL Development
TMDL Development for Eagle and Joos Valley Creeks addressing sedimentation and degraded habitat impairments conditions.
TMDL Monitoring
Eagle and Joos Creeks In Buffalo County, Wisconsin, both streams were listed due to not meeting their potential designated uses. The upper 7 miles of Eagle Creek is identified as currently supporting a warmwater forage fishery (WWFF), but has potential to support a coldwater (Class II) sport fishery. Joos Valley Creek is identified as currently supporting a warmwater forage fishery (WWFF), but has potential to support a coldwater (Class III) sport fishery (WDNR 1990, 1996). Both streams are severely limited by excessive sediment loading, elevated water temperatures and habitat unsuitable to support a coldwater fishery. TMDL for Eagle Creek and Joos Valley Creek

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

Monitoring Studies

Fish and stream surveys were conducted in 1989 and 2001. The 2001 survey found significant numbers of brook trout in the upper three miles. The downstream stations had few or no trout. Survey data suggests the upper three miles of Eagle Creek are meeting the codified use of Cold III. Macro-invertebrate sampling at CTH G from 1990-2001. In 2001, the stream had an HBI of 4.051, indicating very good water quality. This is a long-term NPS Master Monitoring site. Data on this stream is included in Evaluation of the Wisconsin Priority Watershed Program for Improving Stream Habitat and Fish Communities by Lizhu Wang and John Lyons (1998).

Macroinverebrates were collected on the stream in 2007; three of four sites were “fair” and one site was “good”. Three of the four sites are located on the impaired waters stretch; one of the three fair values is located in the nonimpaired stretch just downstream of the listed assessment unit. A 2007 fish survey at Schaffner Valley Road showed a warm IBI of fair, as well.

Date  2011

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Watershed Characteristics

Eagle Creek is located in the Waumandee Creek watershed which is 221.97 miĀ². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (49%), agricultural (24.60%) and a mix of grassland (13.70%) and other uses (12.60%). This watershed has 508.29 stream miles, 3,011.30 lake acres and 8,253.68 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Not Available for runoff impacts on streams, Not Available for runoff impacts on lakes and Medium for runoff impacts on groundwater and therefore has an overall rank of Medium. 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

Eagle Creek is considered a Cool-Cold Mainstem 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.

Fisheries & Habitat

The upper 10-mile stretch of this stream is classified as Class III brown trout and the lower seven miles are classified as a warm water stream. Excessive livestock pasturing on the streambanks and trampling of spring seeps by livestock limits the trout fishery in the upper reaches of the stream. These upper reaches have high potential for improvement if livestock are kept from pasturing the streambanks and spring seeps. Stream channelization has degraded the middle portion of the stream.

Date  1991

Author   Aquatic Biologist