Overview

The West Branch of the Rock River has its headwaters east of the Village of Brandon. It flows east and then south through mainly agricultural land. This area contains many drained wetlands, so there is likely a relatively high input of groundwater from drain tile. This river is only partially supporting its potential as a warmwater sport fishery. Observations and monitoring of the river reveal extensive sedimentation (WDNR, 1994). The West Branch is the principle source of runoff, nutrient and sediment loading to the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge (Rock River Partnership Monitoring Study, 1999). Baseline monitoring was conducted in 2000. Initial evaluation indicates the river is in fair condition.

Date  2002

Author   Aquatic Biologist

General Condition

Willow and Ladoga Creeks flow into the river from the west as the river flows south. There are no Surface Water Integrated Monitoring System (SWIMS) monitoring stations in this stretch; therefore, there is no water quality data available until the river intersects Highway 151 in the Town of Waupun (T-14-N; R-15-E, Sect 24, SWIMS station # 143258). Data from this station is limited legacy data from the winter of 1975-76. The next SWIMS station is approximately 500 feet south on Guenther Road (SWIMS station # 203105). There is an extensive amount of water quality data for this station dating from late 1997-2000.

The next SWIMS station is approximately two miles downstream at Oak Center Road. SWIMS lists four stations for this crossing. Two of the stations ( 203126 and 100000) have no data available in SWIMS. Station # 203129 has very limited water quality data but two Hilsenhoff Biotic Index (HBI) surveys have been conducted showing a HBI of 6.56 (fairly poor) in 2000 and 5.54 (fair) in 2008. In 2000, fish and habitat surveys were conducted at Oak Center Road (station 10008399) showing an Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) of 15 (very poor) and a Qualitative Habitat Rating of 40 (fair). The next monitoring downstream is approximately 1 mile southof the junction with the South Branch Rock River. The entire west Branch Rock River has been listed as an impaired water due to sedimentation, habitat degradation and excessive nutrients. Although the river has never been formally classified, it is a default warm water sport fishery, which would likely be the correct classification.

Date  2011

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Impaired Waters

The 2018 assessments of the West Branch Rock River (miles 50-87.63) showed impairment by phosphorus and temperature; new total phosphorus sample data overwhelmingly exceeded and new temperature sample 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, no change in the existing impaired waters listing was needed.

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

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

Watershed Characteristics

West Branch Rock River is located in the Upper Rock River watershed which is 257.61 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (54.60%), wetland (24.60%) and a mix of grassland (11.90%) and other uses (8.80%). This watershed has 335.43 stream miles, 1,629.48 lake acres and 40,442.61 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Medium 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.