Water Detail - Gooseville Creek , North Branch Milwaukee River Watershed (MI05)

Gooseville Creek , North Branch Milwaukee River Watershed (MI05)

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Gooseville Creek (32000)

Size

0.88 Miles

Segment

0 - 0.88

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 Headwater, Cool-Warm Headwater

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

Unknown

County

Sheboygan

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.

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.

Cold (Class I Trout)

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.

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

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.

Historical Description

The subwatershed is drained by the perennial Gooseville Creek and one intermittent stream located in the east-central
portion of the watershed.Water Resources.
Gooseville Creek is a small cold-water stream flowing into the Gooseville millpond section of the
North Branch of the Milwaukee River (T13N-R21E-Sec17 SENW). A large spring in the headwaters contributes most
of the stream flow in the upper one-half of the south branch of the Creek. Parts of these stream reaches have been
fenced to prevent cattle access. It has been channelized in the past presumably to drain wet soils. The northern
branch has been damaged by straightening and ditching. The latter activity has destroyed natural trout spawning
habitat. The mainstem of Gooseville Creek is that portion from the confluence of the North and South Branches to
the confluence with the North Branch of the Milwaukee River, upstream of Gsoseville millpond. The relatively
sluggish flow in the mainstem results in siltation in slackwater areas.
The surrounding terrestrial habitat on the north branch of Gooseville Creek consists of wet meadow, shrubs and
lowland hardwoods, providing good wildlife habitat but limiting physical access to the stream for water based recreation.
The stream is inaccessible for almost all of its length due to dense brush cover. On the south branch, surrounding
terrestrial vegetation consists of pasture in the headwaters area and mature conifer and upland hardwoods downstream
nearly to the confluence with the north branch of the creek.

There are no natural lakes or impoundments in this subwatershed.

Due to its small size and limited accessibility, Gooseville Creek is classified for partial-body recreational use.

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

Fisheries. Gooseville Creek is classified as a trout stream and has historically supported native populations of brook
trout and several species of forage fish. Records also suggest that this stream has supported spawning runs of
northern pike from the North Branch of the Milwaukee River. The stream's small size, siltation and ditching of
headwater reaches are the most important factors limiting fisheries potential of this stream.

Wildlife. See Water Resources description.
Parks and Recreation. No park and open space land is located 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 help protect and maintain water quality.

Date 1990

Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Historical Description

Forestry. The major timber type here is oak-northern hardwood. There are 187 acres of land managed under the
Forest Tax Laws and none under CRP tree planting contracts.
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 Gooseville 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 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 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. There has been
no known water regulation involvement in this subwatershed.

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

Nonpoint Source. While the overall quantity of phosphorus and sediment delivered to surface waters is moderate
(23.1 lbs. and 180 tons, respectively), Gmseville Creek's small size and fish community intolerant of pollution make this
an important water quality concern. Stream bank erosion and the number of critical acres winter spread with manure
may also have significant adverse impacts on localized water quality. Refer to the Nonpoint Source Priority Watershed
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

Gooseville Creek , North Branch Milwaukee River Watershed (MI05) Fish and Aquatic Life

Gooseville Creek , North Branch Milwaukee River Watershed (MI05) Recreation

Gooseville Creek , North Branch Milwaukee River Watershed (MI05) Fish Consumption

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.

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
Milwaukee River TMDL	2012

Monitoring Projects

WBIC	Official Waterbody Name	Station ID	Station Name	Earliest Fieldwork Date	Latest Fieldwork Date	View Station	View Data
32000	Gooseville Creek	603415	Gooseville Creek - Upstream Of Confluence With N Branch Milwaukee River	5/25/1995	5/25/1995	Map	Data
32000	Gooseville Creek	603414	Gooseville Creek - Downstream Of Lynn Rd 100 Yds			Map	Data
32000	Gooseville Creek	603413	Gooseville Creek - Upstream Of Lynn Road 20'	11/12/1985	10/17/2024	Map	Data
32000	Gooseville Creek	10008877	Gooseville Creek2			Map	Data
32000	Gooseville Creek	10008845	Gooseville Creek1	5/25/1995	5/25/1995	Map	Data

Watershed Characteristics

Gooseville 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.

Natural Community

Gooseville Creek is considered a Cool-Cold Headwater, Cool-Warm Headwater 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 (Warm-Transition) Headwaters are small, sometimes intermittent streams with cool to warm summer temperatures. Coldwater fishes are uncommon to absent, transitional fishes are abundant to common, and warm water fishes are common to uncommon. Headwater species are abundant to common, mainstem species are common to absent, and river species are absent.

Cool (Cold-Transition) Headwaters are small, usually perennial streams with cold to cool summer temperatures. Coldwater fishes are common to uncommon (<10 per 100 m), transitional fishes are abundant to common, and warm water fishes are uncommon to absent. Headwater species are abundant to common, mainstem species are common to absent, and river species are absent.

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