Becky Creek, Soft Maple and Hay Creeks Watershed (UC17)
Becky Creek, Soft Maple and Hay Creeks Watershed (UC17)
Becky Creek (2369600)
1.24 Miles
0 - 1.24
Cool-Cold Headwater
2015
Good
 
This river is impaired
NA
Sediment/Total Suspended Solids, E. coli
 

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

Assessment of Becky Creek in 2009 included the following components:

- Continuous temperature monitoring at a site upstream of the impaired segment and a site within the impaired segment.
- Fish community surveys of a 300 meter section within the impaired segment, and a 300 meter section upstream of the impaired segment.
- Macroinvertebrate samples at a site upstream of the impaired segment and a site within the impaired segment.
- Stream width and depth measurements of the upper 634 meters of the impaired segment, and an 823 meter segment upstream of the impaired segment.
- A count of woody stems near the streambank in the upper 634 meters of the impaired segment (the formerly pastured area).
- Photos of the stream channel in the impaired segment at 6 locations in 2009 and 2010.
- Streamflow measurements at multiple sites on one date to assess the distribution of groundwater inputs.

Other existing data for Becky Creek was also reviewed and incorporated into this report.

Date  2011

Author  Craig Roesler

Monitoring Studies

WDNR monitoring surveys and sampling results from the Becky Creek subwatershed indicated that sediment was washed into the creek, degrading the habitat for the biotic (specifically, the trout) community. Sediment in the streams covers the stream bed, which can hinder spawning, reduce potential food sources for the trout, and can reduce the water volume in pools which can serve as a haven for trout in low flow periods or during hot weather.

At the time, there are no point sources on the waterbody segment. WDNR believes that the major sources of sediment to the creek are run-offs from pasture and croplands, streambank erosion from spring runoffs, and streambank erosion caused by trampling by livestock. These sedimentation sources were identified based on sampling conducted at a total of four sites in two separate sampling rounds, the first in 1995 and the second in 2000 (pages 2-3 of the final TMDL submittal).

Date  2005

Author  Nicole Clayton

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Waters that support fish and aquatic life communities (healthy biological communities).
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.
Streams supporting a cold water sport fishery, or serving as a spawning area for salmonids and other cold water fish species through natural reproduction. 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.
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.
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.