Genesee Creek, Middle Fox River - Illinois Watershed (FX04)
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Genesee Creek, Middle Fox River - Illinois Watershed (FX04)
Genesee Creek (769800)
2.71 Miles
3.51 - 6.22
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
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
Good
 
Waukesha
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

Genese Creek flows for over five miles before reaching its mouth at the Fox River about a mile west of Waukesha. From its mouth to three and a half miles upstream Genese Creek is classified as a Class II Trout water, and the remainder of the creek is a Class I Trout stream and an Exceptional Resource Water.

Date  2011

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Genesee Creek, Middle Fox River - Illinois Watershed (FX04) Fish and Aquatic LifeGenesee Creek, Middle Fox River - Illinois Watershed (FX04) RecreationGenesee Creek, Middle Fox River - Illinois Watershed (FX04) 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.

Reports

2020 Comprehensive WQ Assessments
Genesee Creek, Genesee Creek 1 Upstream Of Old Village Road, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form
Genesee Creek, Genesee Creek, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form
2018 List of Healthy (Category 2) Waters
Comprehensive 2018 River/Stream Water Quality Assessments
2016 Total Phosphorus Monitoring Report - Genesee at Old Village Rd
Comprehensive 2016 Rivers Stream Assessments
Comprehensive 2014 TP IBI Rivers Assessment
Macroinvertebrate Assessment Package Report FX04 2003 to 2013
State of the Southeast Fox River Basin

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.
Monitor Water Quality or Sediment
More data collect, continuous monitoring, biology not showing impairment. AU: 897102; ID: 683230
Dam Safety or Removal
This grant is to help fund a dam removal project on Genesee Creek. This a class 1 trout stream and an ERW. This six-mile tributary of the Fox River is one of the few trout streams in Waukesha County with a naturally reproducing population of Brook and Brown Trout. The Genesee Roller Mill dam is failing and poses a threat to public safety. The dam also impairs stream habitat and water quality. The dam was constructed in 1847 and consists of a 480-foot earthen embankment and a 15-foot wide concrete structure. The impoundment is approximately 2.5 acres and is filled with approximately 15-000 cubic yards of sediment. The proposal includes a community demonstration project that will model ecological restration of the trout stream- adjacent wetlands- and riparian habitat. A restroation plan will be created in the winter of 2004. EA- preliminary plans- and survey data are submitted.
Dam Safety or Removal
This grant is to help fund a dam removal project on Genesee Creek. This a class 1 trout stream and an ERW. This six-mile tributary of the Fox River is one of the few trout streams in Waukesha County with a naturally reproducing population of Brook and Brown Trout. The Genesee Roller Mill dam is failing and poses a threat to public safety. The dam also impairs stream habitat and water quality. The dam was constructed in 1847 and consists of a 480-foot earthen embankment and a 15-foot wide concrete structure. The impoundment is approximately 2.5 acres and is filled with approximately 15,000 cubic yards of sediment. The proposal includes a community demonstration project that will model ecological restration of the trout stream, adjacent wetlands, and riparian habitat. A restroation plan will be created in the winter of 2004. EA, preliminary plans, and survey data are submitted. Chapter 30 permit applications have been submitted and the EA is complete. Project deliverables will include a final report with pre and post stream ecosystem analysis. Project and report will involve school groups and general public involvement for I&E prurposes.
Improve Public Access
This restoration will implement the Waukesha Co. Development Plan by preserving the isolated natural area and enhancing the wildlife habitat on the entire site. It will be available for public use, such as, walk-in boat access where the stream crosses Hwy DE. Restoring the historic water levels and return the site to a native, wetland perennial plant community. Fifty acres will be kept in native perennial plant cover, a vegetative buffer will be provided around the wetlands. US Fish and Wildlife Service will provide, install the water level control valve, and survey the drain tiles.
County Land and Water Management Plan
This restoration will implement the Waukesha Co. Development Plan by preserving the isolated natural area and enhancing the wildlife habitat on the entire site. It will be available for public use, such as, walk-in boat access where the stream crosses Hwy DE. Restoring the historic water levels and return the site to a native, wetland perennial plant community. Fifty acres will be kept in native perennial plant cover, a vegetative buffer will be provided around the wetlands. US Fish and Wildlife Service will provide, install the water level control valve, and survey the drain tiles.
Restore Wetlands
This restoration will implement the Waukesha Co. Development Plan by preserving the isolated natural area and enhancing the wildlife habitat on the entire site. It will be available for public use, such as, walk-in boat access where the stream crosses Hwy DE. Restoring the historic water levels and return the site to a native, wetland perennial plant community. Fifty acres will be kept in native perennial plant cover, a vegetative buffer will be provided around the wetlands. US Fish and Wildlife Service will provide, install the water level control valve, and survey the drain tiles.
Monitor Water Quality or Sediment
Temperature exceedance based on station near pool (not representative). Recommend monitoring an alternate station for temperature. data collection during 2012 was drought year and high atmospheric temps

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
Genesee Creek east of HWY 832011
Monitoring Recommendations Stemming from CWA / IR Listings2000
Genesee Creek at Old Village Road2011
WAUKESHA COUNTY LAND CONSERVANCY: Genesee Creek Headwaters Restoration2000
TROUT UNLIMITED-SOUTHEAST CHAPTER: Genesee Creek Dam Removal2004

Monitoring Projects

WBICOfficial Waterbody NameStation IDStation NameEarliest Fieldwork DateLatest Fieldwork DateView StationView Data
769800Genesee Creek10029495Genesee Cr at begin of Habitat Work US of Hwy 591/1/20151/1/2015MapData
769800Genesee Creek10020499Genesee Creek-Upstream Of Hwy 594/12/20066/27/2024MapData
769800Genesee Creek683212Genesee Creek at Sth 597/18/20057/18/2005MapData
769800Genesee Creek10034780Genesee Creek east of HWY 836/9/20111/1/2015MapData
769800Genesee Creek10008092Genesee - Downstream Of Confluence With White Creek4/12/20064/12/2006MapData
769800Genesee Creek10016724Unnamed Trib. - Pb-16 - Downstream Of Cth De4/17/19904/17/1990MapData
769800Genesee Creek10008117Genesee Creek10/19/199910/19/1999MapData
769800Genesee Creek10020453Genesee Creek at Former Impoundment4/12/20064/12/2006MapData
769800Genesee Creek10008089Genesee Creek - Upstream Of Hwy 5910/19/199911/29/2000MapData
769800Genesee Creek683415GENESEE CREEK North Trib.-Downstream Hwy83MapData

Watershed Characteristics

Genesee Creek is located in the Middle Fox River - Illinois watershed which is 247.72 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (35.50%), suburban (19.20%) and a mix of wetland (16.20%) and other uses (29.10%). This watershed has 316.41 stream miles, 6,810.35 lake acres and 22,750.85 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

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

Genesee Creek is considered a Cool-Cold 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 (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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