Sheboygan
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Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
Batavia Creek, in the North Branch Milwaukee River Watershed, is a 4.94 mile river that falls in Sheboygan County. This river is managed for fishing and swimming and is currently considered impaired.
Date 2022
Author Ashley Beranek
Historical Description
Batavia Creek Subwatershed consists of one perennial and three intermittent streams and is located in the central
portion of the watershed.
Water Resources. Batavia Creek originates as a series of intermittent tributaries. These headwaters have undergone
extensive channelization down to STH 28, where it is impounded as the Batavia millpond. Although seasonally
intermittent, the northern headwater tributary contains the major portion of stream flow as the southern portion acts as
an agricultural drainage ditch. The upper banks of the Creek are stable where the stream passes through extensive
wetlands.
Siltation is a problem in Batavia Creek with thick deposits of organic material overlaying the gravel and rubble
substrate. Land use upstream from CTH "SS" includes cattle pastures and a feedlot. These uses contribute to bank
degradation and siltation and likely bacterial contamination during wet weather.
Due to its small stream size and shallow depth, Batavia Creek supports partial-body recreation.
Fisheries. Batavia Creek currently supports a marginal warm-water sport fishery in its lower reaches and a numkr sf
intolerant forage species in the higher gradient sections of the upper one third. Mensive ditching of the headwaters
area, sedimentation and small stream size are the primary factors limiting fisheries potential. Improved land use
management in the upper reaches has the potential of restoring a cold-water fish community.
Wildlife. Extensive channelization, wetland drainage, stream bank erosion caused by cattle and cropping of riparian
areas has reduced the quality of wildlife habitat in this subwatershed. Row crops predominate about 46% of the
riparian zone.
Parks and Recreation. A youth oriented playground and a small community park comprise the 20.5 acres of
recreational open space in this subwatershed. 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
protect and maintain water quality.
Date 1990
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
Historical Description
Forestry. The major timber type here is oak. There are 118 acres of land managed under the Forest Tax Lam and
five acres under CRP tree planting contracts.
Solid and Hazardous Waste. While there are no landfills within this drainage system, residents have access to private]!
owned landfills in neighboring areas. However, under new federal regulations the cost of operating small Ian
precipitate closure early in the 1990's. Timely planning is important for Batavia Creek Subwatershed residents as the
design and permitting process for a new landfill requires five years. Long-range solid waste management planning will
safeguard surface and groundwater resource 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 sa
well water for bacteria and nitrate levels on a yearly basis. Testing kits are available from the State Hygiene
Laboratory or commercial firms at a cost of $7 to $30. Routine inspection of well caps, pumps and casings wit1 alsc
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 from 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 Sheboygan County Sanitary District staff is responsible for on-site septic system wastewater
management in this drainage way.
Date 1990
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
Impaired Waters
Batavia Creek was evaluated in 2014 and every two-year cycle through 2022. Phosphorus levels were too high for healthy aquatic communities like plants, bugs, and fish. In 2016 this creek was evaluated for temperature the water was too warm for healthy aquatic communities. This water was listed for temperature in 2016 and phosphorus in 2014.
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
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
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.
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 |
|---|
| 31400 | Batavia Creek | 603475 | Batavia Creek - Cth Ss | 11/12/1985 | 8/21/2024 | Map | Data |
| 31400 | Batavia Creek | 10008874 | Batavia Creek1 | | | Map | Data |
| 31400 | Batavia Creek | 603121 | Batavia Creek at Sth 28 At Batavia WI | 4/9/1985 | 10/1/2024 | Map | Data |
|
Watershed Characteristics
Batavia 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.