North Branch Beaver Creek, Little Peshtigo River Watershed (GB08)
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North Branch Beaver Creek, Little Peshtigo River Watershed (GB08)
North Branch Beaver Creek (520400)
9.06 Miles
2.80 - 11.86
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 Mainstem, Cool-Warm Headwater, Coldwater
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.
2018
Good
 
Marinette
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.
No

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.

Overview

The North Branch Beaver Creek, which flows through the North Branch Beaver Creek fishery area, is an excellent brown and brook trout stream with hard, clear, and slightly alkaline waters which are conducive to high productivity. The main stream and two coldwater tributaries cover 9.85 miles of class 1 and 1.2 miles of class 2 trout waters.

Date  2018

Author   Wdnr Water Quality

North Branch Beaver Creek, Little Peshtigo River Watershed (GB08) Fish and Aquatic LifeNorth Branch Beaver Creek, Little Peshtigo River Watershed (GB08) RecreationNorth Branch Beaver Creek, Little Peshtigo River Watershed (GB08) Fish Consumption

General Condition

The North Branch Beaver Creek was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; new biological (macroinvertebrate 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

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
North Branch Beaver Creek TWA WQM Plan Presentation 2017 [GB08]
North Branch Beaver Creek TWA WQM Plan 2017 [GB08]
Comprehensive 2018 River/Stream Water Quality Assessments
Comprehensive 2016 Rivers Stream Assessments
2014 Total Phosphorus Monitoring Report - Beaver Creek @ CTH P
2014 Total Phosphorus Monitoring Report - Beaver Creek @ CTH P
Comprehensive 2014 TP IBI Rivers Assessment
Comprehensive Brook and Brown Trout Survey of North Branch Beaver Creek during 2005

Recommendations

Natural Community Review or Change
Natural communities in this subwatershed at North Branch Beaver Creek DS 21st Road should be changed from the modeled natural communities to a coldwater community.
Natural Community Review or Change
Natural community at North Branch Beaver Creek US CTH P stream stations in this subwatershed should be changed from the modeled natural communities to a coldwater community.
Natural Community Review or Change
Natural communities in this subwatershed at North Branch Beaver Creek Downstream 25th Road should be changed from the modeled natural communities to a coldwater community.
Natural Community Review or Change
Natural communities in this subwatershed at North Branch Beaver Creek Public Access Land 37th Road should be changed from the modeled natural communities to a coldwater community
Monitor and/or Protect Groundwater, Sourcewater
Ensure proper evaluation of high capacity wells so as to not impact springs or small tributaries that contribute base flow to Walker and North Branch Beaver Creek.
Protect Riparian or Shorelands
Maintain sand traps in the lower portion of the watershed and limit alder brush clearer to enhance fishing opportunities.
Information and Education
Educate interested watershed partners on aquatic invasive species prevention, especially at popular fishing access locations.
Best Management Practices, Implement
Promote the use of forestry best management practices in the watershed.

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
North Branch Beaver Creek TWA WQM Plan, 20172014

Monitoring Projects

WBICOfficial Waterbody NameStation IDStation NameEarliest Fieldwork DateLatest Fieldwork DateView StationView Data
520400North Branch Beaver Creek10022047North Branch Beaver Creek 21st Rd7/9/20141/1/2015MapData
520400North Branch Beaver Creek10013177N. Br. Beaver Creek-Downstream Of Culvert On 25th Road8/6/20041/1/2015MapData
520400North Branch Beaver Creek10021387North Branch Beaver Creek Off Of 20th Rd8/20/20073/2/2018MapData
520400North Branch Beaver Creek623115Beaver Creek North Fork - Mitchell Rd Nw29MapData
520400North Branch Beaver Creek10055534North Branch Beaver Creek 10m US 25th RdMapData
520400North Branch Beaver Creek10042822North Branch Beaver Creek at public access lot off 37th Rd7/30/20141/1/2015MapData
520400North Branch Beaver Creek10042955North Branch Beaver Creek 10m US UNT; 50m US Walker Creek8/20/20141/1/2015MapData

Watershed Characteristics

North Branch Beaver Creek is located in the Little Peshtigo River watershed which is 158.43 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (34.20%), wetland (26.90%) and a mix of forest (22.80%) and other uses (16.00%). This watershed has 206.41 stream miles, 2,168.89 lake acres and 24,619.22 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Medium 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.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

North Branch Beaver Creek is considered a Cool-Cold Headwater, Cool-Warm Mainstem, Cool-Warm Headwater, Coldwater 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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