Overview

Silver Creek, in the North Branch Milwaukee River Watershed, is a 9.90 mile river that falls in Ozaukee and Sheboygan Counties. This river is managed for fishing and swimming and is currently considered impaired.

Date  2022

Author  Ashley Beranek

Historical Description

The Silver Creek Subwatershed, located in the east-central part of the watershed, drains to Silver Creek, the Random
Lake outlet and one unnamed perennial stream. It includes four intermittent streams.

Water Resources. Silver Creek originates in Adell Swamp and is considered an intermittent stream down to STH 57.
The outlet of Random Lake contributes flow to the stream as does the discharge from the Village of Random Lake
P O W . Significant water quality problems in Silver Creek include siltation, lack of high quality in-stream habitat and
bacteriological contamination. During watershed inventories, the summer sampling period water quality standards for
bacteria were consistently violated both at STH 144 and downstream of the POTW discharge, as well as farther
downstream at CTI3: I.' Upstream farming and cattle pasturing may contribute to bacterial contamination.
Due to its small size and shallow depth, Silver Creek from the headwaters downstream to the confluence with the
Random Lake outlet supports only partial-body contact recreation. From the outlet downstream to the North Branch,
the stream can physically accommodate full-body contact but may be unhealthy due to periodic bacterial contamination.

No toxic screening has been conducted on streams in this drainage system.

Fisheries. The upper reaches of Silver Creek downstream to the confluence with the North Branch is capable of
supporting warm-water sport fish such as bass and panfish. Northern pike and a few species of intolerant forage fish
also utilize lower reaches of this stream. However, ditching of headwaters areas, barnyard runoff impacts, siltation and
extensive stream bank erosion presently limit physical habitat quality for most fish species. Small stream size will
become the primary limiting factor to recreational fisheries potential as point and nonpoint sources of pollution are
controlled.

Wildlife. Over 50% of the riparian habitat in this subwatershed has been altered by row crop production, reducing
plant and wildlife species diversity. Of the remaining riparian vegetation, half is considered good wildlife habitat.
Installation of vegetative filter strips would provide nest cover, travel lands and blending of other habitat types. The
Adell public hunting grounds provides excellent white tailed deer hunting and opportunities to hunt woodcock and
waterfowl. Ektensive wetland degradation however, limits production of waterfowl, woodcock and pheasants by
reducing both surface water (important to brood habitat) and emergent vegetation which provides valuable winter cover
for pheasants.

Parks and Recreation. This subwatershed contains the largest amount of public open space in the North
Watershed. Over 1700 acres are open to the public for hunting, picnicking and as youth oriented playgrounds.
Included in this area is the Adell public hunting ground which leases and opens a number of acres to the public for
nonconsumptive wildlife observation. An environmental corridor along a tributary, creek, stream or main river stem
would protect wildlife and fish habitat, increase recreational opportunities, allow for protection of scenic areas and
provide a link between population centers. The restoration of wetlands or prairies in these areas would help protect
and maintain water quality.

Date  1990

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Historical Description

Forestry. Ten acres of land are presently enrolled under the CRP and another 569 forested acres managed under the
Forest Tax Laws. Timber harvesting is prevalent with very little clearcut logging occurring in the subwatershed.
Solid and Hazardous Waste. While there are no landfills in this subwatershed, residents have access to privately
owned landfills in neighboring areas. However, under new federal regulations the cost of operating small landfills may
precipitate closure early in the 1990's. Timely planning is important for Silver Creek Subwatershed residents because
the design and permitting process for a new landfill requires five years. Long-range planning for solid waste
management will safeguard surface and groundwater resources in the North Branch Watershed.

Water Supply. Private wells supply the water needs of residents in this drainage system. The Department regulates
only community or municipal water supply systems and does not have the authority to require well monitoring or
Prohibit the use of contaminated water. To ensure safe, potable water supplies, owners of private wells should test
water samples for bacterial and nitrate levels on a yearly basis. Testing kits are available from the State Hygiene
Laboratory or commercial firms for $7 to $30 per test. Regular inspection of well caps, pumps and casings will also
safeguard health of humans and livestock.

Water Regulation and Zoning. Regular program activities occur on a case-by-case basis and are in response to actions
or requests f?om individuals. These include, protection of wetlands through oversight of county wetland/shoreland
ordinances, and incorporation of watershed objectives into projects requiring water regulation permits.

Wastewater. The Shemgan County Sanitary District staff is responsible for on-site septic system wastewater
management in this drainage way.

Nonpoint Source. Significant nonpoint pollution sources are runoff from livestock operations, runoff from areas winter
spread with livestock manure, upland erosion, stream bank erosion and urban runoff. The loading rate of 160 pounds
of phosphorus is exceeded only by two other subwatersheds and sediment loading (597 tons per year) exceeded by
three. Of particular concern are the 223 critical acres winter spread with livestock manure and more than three miles
of unstable and eroding stream banks which contribute about 40 tons of sediment annually to the creek. Refer to the
Nonpoint Source Control Plan for the North Branch of the Milwaukee River for specific, detailed nonpoint source
pollution reduction goals and recommendations.

Date  1990

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Historical Description

Silver Creek T12N, R21E, Sections 3, 4, Surface Acres = 3.06, Length = 1.1 miles, Gradient = 1 foot per mile.
A shallow, low gradient stream originating in Sheboygan County and flowing
for about one mile along the northern border of Ozaukee County. Forage minnows
are the only fish present. It winds its way through an extensive shrub marsh area.
The principal value of this stream is waterfowl nesting. Public access is via a town
road but parking is not available.

From: Poff, Ronald J., Gernay, Ronald, and Threinen, C.W., 1964. Surface Water Resources of Ozaukee County:
Lake and Stream Classification Project. Wisconsin Conservation Department, Madison, WI.

Date  1964

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Impaired Waters

Silver Creek was evaluated in the 2022 cycle; phosphorus levels were too high and bug communities were in poor condition. This stream was put on the impaired waters list in the 2022 cycle.

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

Recommendations

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

Watershed Characteristics

Silver Creek is located in the North Branch Milwaukee River watershed which is 149.67 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (45.40%), grassland (20.30%) and a mix of wetland (15.50%) and other uses (18.80%). This watershed has 159.81 stream miles, 886.38 lake acres and 13,793.69 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked High for runoff impacts on streams, High 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.