Dane
No
No
Yes
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
This three-mile-long spring-fed creek is a tributary to Lake Waubesa at its southwestern shore. This creek's sub-watershed has a large proportion of wetland to total surface area. The South Waubesa Wetlands is the largest wetland area Murphy's Creek flows through; much of the wetland is managed by the Nature Conservancy and WDNR. The smaller wetland units upstream of South Waubesa contain springs, but have been affected and are still threatened by subdivision development and agricultural runoff. Flow in the creek is generally low. Until 1983, water quality was affected by discharges from the Oakhill Correctional Institute. Since then, the institute has been hooked up to the Oregon wastewater treatment plant. Appraisal monitoring in 1990 indicated good water quality. Groundwater seepage and protection offered by the wetlands contribute to good water quality and habitat in the lower portions. Water quality and habitat are limited in the upper reaches by low flow, as is the creek's fishery, which is limited to forage species due to the low flows.
The potential for good northern pike habitat exists in this creek but fluctuating water levels on Lake Waubesa, as on other Madison Lakes, precludes successful spawning. Northern pike need flooded mats of grasses and sedges on which to lay eggs. Vegetation mats are necessary as the eggs do not cling to plants. Thus, lake level drawdowns and removal of vegetation (grass, sedges) inhibits this creek from meeting its full fishery potential.
Date 2002
Author Aquatic Biologist
Historical Description
Murphy's Creek (Clemen's Creek) T6N, RIOE, Sec. 7, Surface acres = 1.1, Length = 5 miles, Stream order = I, Gradient = 8.0 ft/mile, Base discharge = 2.1 cfs.
This small, sprlng-fed stream is a tributary to the Yahara River system entering at the southern tip of Lake Waubesa. Its small watershed is mostly wetland. One large wetland near the headwaters has several springs, but has been altered and damaged by construction in the area. The South Waubesa Wetland, a much larger wetland, lies near the mouth of the stream. This wetland has been relatively undisturbed and has a good diversity of wetland types includlng fens which are rare in Dane County. The Department of Natural Resources and the Nature Conservancy have acquired 170 acres of this wetland for a scientific area. Wildlife use is extensive and it is an important spawning area for fish from Lake Waubesa. Lower portions of Murphy's Creek support forage fish species. Flow is low and water quality is poor due to discharge from the Oakhlll Correctional Institute wastewater treatment plant in the upper part of the creek. The stream is managed for the protectIon of the wetlands and their benefits to Lake Waubesa, but not as a fishery. Access is available at three road crossings and through the state-owned lands in the Lower Waubesa Marsh. Fish species: central mudminnow, central stoneroller, fathead minnow, creek chub, white sucker, brook stickleback, and green sunfish.
From: Day, Elizabeth A.; Grzebieniak, Gayle P.; Osterby, Kurt M.; and Brynildson, Clifford L., 1985. Lake and Stream Classification Project. Surface Water Resources of Dane County. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI
Date 1985
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
Impaired Waters
The 2018 assessments of Murphys Creek showed impairment by phosphorus; new total phosphorus sample data exceeded the 2018 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use. However, available biological data did not indicate impairment (i.e. no macroinvertebrate or fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scored in the "poor" condition category). Based on the most updated information, this water was proposed for the impaired waters list.
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
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 |
|---|
| 803900 | Murphys Creek | 133095 | Murphys Creek - Blw Oregon Girls Stp | | | Map | Data |
| 803900 | Murphys Creek | 10044285 | Murphy's Creek at Byrne Rd DS wetland complex | 5/1/2015 | 5/19/2019 | Map | Data |
| 803900 | Murphys Creek | 10050751 | Murhpys Creek - mouth at Lake Waubesa | 4/22/2018 | 5/22/2018 | Map | Data |
| 803900 | Murphys Creek | 10030055 | Murphys Creek at Syene Road | 5/28/2009 | 10/15/2024 | Map | Data |
| 803900 | Murphys Creek | 133093 | Murphys Creek - Above Oregon Girls Stp | | | Map | Data |
| 803900 | Murphys Creek | 10010964 | Murphys Creek at Lalor Road | 12/1/1989 | 10/15/2024 | Map | Data |
| 803900 | Murphys Creek | 10043361 | Murphy's Creek at Byrne Rd | 7/11/2015 | 10/27/2023 | Map | Data |
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Watershed Characteristics
Murphys Creek is located in the Yahara River and Lake Monona watershed which is 93.73 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily suburban (24.80%), urban (23.90%) and a mix of agricultural (14.50%) and other uses (36.90%). This watershed has 101.97 stream miles, 6,275.33 lake acres and 5,158.72 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked Not Available for runoff impacts on streams, Not Available 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.