Water Detail - Lowes Creek, Lowes and Rock Creeks Watershed (LC24)

Lowes Creek, Lowes and Rock Creeks Watershed (LC24)

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Lowes Creek (2123900)

Size

11.31 Miles

Segment

0.69 - 12

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, Cool-Warm 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.

2024

General Condition

Poor

This river is impaired

Impairments include

High Phosphorus Levels

Pollutants include

Total Phosphorus

County

Eau Claire

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.

Yes

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

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.

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

Overview

The portion of Lowes Creek from the Hwy 37/85 bridge upstream to its headwaters is designated
as an exceptional resources water (ERW). This designation requires that any new point source
discharge receive effluent limits that are as stringent as existing background water quality in Lowes
Creek, unless the discharge is needed to correct an environmental problem. The stream is well
buffered from development due to its canyon-like banks. Large trout are found in Lowes Creek,
which is an excellent natural resource within a growing metropolitan area.
The headwaters of Lowes Creek drains agricultural land and wetlands, while the downstream
portion drains about 1,200 acres of urban area via storm sewers. Reducing urban impacts on water
quality is the main focus of the small-scale priority watershed project. Acquiring streambank
easements, building optimal storm water treatment facilities, and formulating and enforcing a storm
water management ordinance are being implemented to protect the habitat and water quality of
Lowes Creek. The Lowes Creek watershed above County Highway H, including Lowes and
Graham Creeks, was selected for fee title land acquisition under the stewardship program.
Currently, 306 acres are owned by WDNR, protecting 1.3 miles of stream.
Water quality results of storm sewer outfall sampling during runoff showed elevated levels of
suspended sediment and copper, lead, and zinc. Pesticide sampling of Lowes Creek below the outfall
during storm runoff turned up only a single detection of atrazine at a very low level in August,
1991. Erosion of the storm water discharge structure contributed a significant quantity of sediment
during several storms (Schreiber) .
A large car dealership recently built near Lowes Creek has incorporated on-site storm water
management practices, including clean water diversion, roof and paved area runoff infiltration and
zinc-free roofing. The objectives of this project were to increase infiltration of storm water to keep
the water as clean and cool as possible before it reaches Lowes Creek. This demonstration project
was partially funded by the priority watershed program and Eau Claire County. Efforts to educate
customers and the public about benefits of storm water management at the site include tours, a fish
tank with live trout, and informational posters in the dealership (Stmss).
Recently, rubber bladders and barrels containing banbury sludge were removed from the surface of
an old landfill adjacent to Lowes Creek. Some buried barrels remain. Similar wastes were found at
another landfill along West Creek (Bnunberg). High zinc levels were determined to contribute to
toxicity problems in West Creek. It is unknown if the remaining barrels near Lowes Creek harm
the aquatic community (LaLiberte)

Date 1996

Author Aquatic Biologist

Lowes Creek, Lowes and Rock Creeks Watershed (LC24) Fish and Aquatic Life

Lowes Creek, Lowes and Rock Creeks Watershed (LC24) Recreation

Lowes Creek, Lowes and Rock Creeks Watershed (LC24) Fish Consumption

General Condition

Lowes Creek (miles 12-24.29) 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

Impaired Waters

Lowes Creek (2123900) from Hwy 37 to near Hailey Ln was placed on the impaired waters list for total phosphorus in 2012. 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

2020 Comprehensive WQ Assessments

2018 List of Healthy (Category 2) Waters

Final Draft 2018 Impaired Waters List

Comprehensive 2018 River/Stream Water Quality Assessments

Comprehensive 2016 Rivers Stream Assessments

Lowes Creek at Cth II-Road Salt Monitoring Data Summary January 2012 - March 2014

Lowes Creek at Sth 85 Bridge-Road Salt Monitoring Data Summary January 2012 - March 2014

Lowes Creek at Cth II-Road Salt Monitoring Data Summary January- December 2012

Lowes Creek at Sth 85 Bridge-Road Salt Monitoring Data Summary January- December 2012

Rivers TP Summary 2012

Lowes And Creeks Watershed Comprehensive Surface Water Resource Report (2000)

Recommendations

Citizen-Based Stream Monitoring

Collect chemical, physical, and/or biological water quality data to assess the current overall stream health. The data can inform management decisions and may be used to identify impaired waters for biennial lists.

Citizen-Based Stream Monitoring

Nine Key Element Plan

Lowes Creek PWS Plan - Nine Key Element Plan - The Lowes Creek Priority Watershed Project plan assesses the nonpoint sources of pollution in the Lowes Creek Watershed and guides the implementation of nonpoint source control measures. These control measures are needed to meet specific water resource objectives for Lowes Creek and its tributaries. The purpose of this project is to reduce the amount of pollutants originating from nonpoint sources that reach surface water and groundwater within the Lowes Creek Priority Watershed Project area.

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
Lowes Creek PWS Plan - Nine Key Element Plan	1993
Lowes Creek at CTH II	2006
Lowes Creek downstream from HWY HH Bridge	2006
Lowes Creek Off Hwy 37/85 Below Fehr Road And Above The Bike Path	2007
Lowes Creek at CTH F (South)	2007
Fish Propagation Actions	2001

Monitoring Projects

WBIC	Official Waterbody Name	Station ID	Station Name	Earliest Fieldwork Date	Latest Fieldwork Date	View Station	View Data
2123900	Lowes Creek	10040768	LOWES CREEK - CTH F (NORTH)	6/1/2013	7/31/2024	Map	Data
2123900	Lowes Creek	10040717	LOWES CREEK - LOWES CREEK COUNTY PARK			Map	Data
2123900	Lowes Creek	10016307	Lowes Creek - Under Bridge On S. Lowes Creekroad South Of Eau Claire	10/19/1990	10/11/2000	Map	Data
2123900	Lowes Creek	183072	Lowes Creek - Abv Eau Claire Stm Sew	5/16/1991	8/25/1992	Map	Data
2123900	Lowes Creek	183132	Lowes Creek - Silver Springs Dr	11/4/2004	9/12/2006	Map	Data
2123900	Lowes Creek	10016178	Lowes Creek - Approx. 200 Yds Upstream Of I-94overpass. South Of Eau Claire	10/19/1990	10/19/1990	Map	Data
2123900	Lowes Creek	10022368	Lowes Creek - Cth Ii	1/1/2015	1/1/2015	Map	Data
2123900	Lowes Creek	183074	Lowes Creek - S Lowes Creek Road	5/16/1991	9/21/2000	Map	Data
2123900	Lowes Creek	183123	Lowes Creek at Cth Ii	10/19/1990	1/1/2015	Map	Data
2123900	Lowes Creek	10039688	Lowes Creek at CTH F	7/8/2004	9/21/2004	Map	Data
2123900	Lowes Creek	10022369	Lowes Creek - Sths 37 & 85	1/1/2015	1/1/2015	Map	Data
2123900	Lowes Creek	10015817	Lowes Creek - Directly Under Sth 85 Bridge Westof Eau Claire	10/19/1990	1/1/2015	Map	Data

Watershed Characteristics

Lowes Creek is located in the Lowes and Rock Creeks watershed which is 219.17 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (38.80%), forest (34.30%) and a mix of grassland (13.50%) and other uses (13.40%). This watershed has 372.30 stream miles, 317.07 lake acres and 12,231.21 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Low for runoff impacts on streams, Not Ranked 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.This water is ranked High Stream for individual Rivers based on runoff problems and the likelihood of success from project implementation.

Natural Community

Lowes Creek is considered a Cool-Cold Mainstem, Cool-Warm 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.

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