Jefferson, Rock
No
No
No
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
Rock River Water Quality Management Plan, Lower Rock River Appendix. WT-668-2002. South Central Region, WDNR.
Otter Creek is a low-gradient stream draining to Lake Koshkonong from the south. Portions of its upper reaches in Rock County have been ditched and straightened. Water quality has been impaired by the channel modifications. The stream has periodic water quality problems after storms when it carries a heavy sediment load. The fishery is dominated by forage species but game fish do inhabit the stream in varying numbers. Otter Creek's major asset is its wildlife habitat. More than 1,500 acres of wetlands exist in the upper half of its drainage area. This includes portions of Storrs Lake and Lima Marsh State Wildlife Areas. These areas have good spring and fall waterfowl migrations as well as nongame birds.
Date 2002
Author Aquatic Biologist
Historical Description
From: Ball, Joseph R., and Ronald J. Poff, Lake and Stream Classification Project. Surface Water Resources of Rock County, Department of Natural Resources, 1970.
Surface Acres a 23.76, Miles = 14.0, Gradient = 7.0 feet per mile.
A warm water, marshy stream originating in the Town of Lima, meandering northwesterly and entering Lake Koshkonong in Jefferson County. Forage species dominate the fishery, but suckers, carp, northern pike, largemouth bass and panfish inhabit the stream in varying numbers. Much of the upper end of the stream has been ditched but a great deal of valuable wetland is still present. Otter Creek's major asset is its wildlife habitat; approximately 1,526 acres of adjoining grass-sedge marsh. Muskrats are abundant and large numbers of waterfowl utilize the area during spring and fall migration periods. Hunting is allowed along most of the stream, and in addition, Storr's Lake and Lima Public Hunting Grounds totaling 3,280 acres adjoins the stream. Development includes two cottages and one private camp. Access is available from five town roads and three county highway crossings.
Date 1970
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
General Condition
Otter Creek was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; new biological (macroinvertebrate and fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scores) and temperature 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
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.
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.
Restore Wetlands
Restore Wetlands
Monitor Water Quality or Sediment
Multiple stations with exceedances for temperature. Please review.
This is a WARM system; biological community is not impaired. DO NOT LIST.
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 |
|---|
| 812600 | Otter Creek | 10010431 | Otter Creek - Otter Creek 51m Upstream Hwy 26 | 12/9/2003 | 6/27/2024 | Map | Data |
| 812600 | Otter Creek | 10030037 | Otter Creek at Vickerman Road | 5/4/2002 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
| 812600 | Otter Creek | 10012581 | Otter Creek: County N/ Hwy 26 ( North Of Cty N Bridge) | 5/15/1997 | 9/30/2022 | Map | Data |
| 812600 | Otter Creek | 10012580 | Otter Creek: Klug Rd.(8 Ft West Of Bridge) | 5/15/1997 | 8/8/2024 | Map | Data |
| 812600 | Otter Creek | 10010936 | Otter Creek - Otter Creek At Bowers L. Road | 5/1/2002 | 6/19/2015 | Map | Data |
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Watershed Characteristics
Otter Creek is located in the Lower Koshkonong Creek watershed which is 265.61 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (54.20%), wetland (11.60%) and a mix of grassland (10.50%) and other uses (23.70%). This watershed has 283.47 stream miles, 1,735.65 lake acres and 18,171.94 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.