Water Detail - Gill Creek, East Branch Rock River Watershed (UR13)

Gill Creek, East Branch Rock River Watershed (UR13)

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Gill Creek (861700)

Size

6.32 Miles

Segment

0 - 6.32

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, 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.

2016

General Condition

Poor

This river is impaired

Impairments include

Acute Aquatic Toxicity, Degraded Habitat

Pollutants include

Total Phosphorus, Ammonia (Unionized) - Toxin, Sediment/Total Suspended Solids

County

Dodge

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.

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.

Yes

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.

Restricted Aquatic Life

Fish and Aquatic Life communities are not fully supported in this ecosystem.

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 II Trout)

Streams 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 through natural reproduction and selective propagation. 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

Gill Creek, a tributary to the East Branch of the Rock River just below the Kekoskee Millpond, is considered a Class II trout stream even though it is not listed in Wisconsin Trout Streams. It is one of the few trout streams in the entire Upper Rock River basin. Ponds were constructed in the headwater springs which resulted in warming of the water in the stream. The water quality of this stream continues to be degraded by nonpoint sources of water pollution. Gill Creek and Irish Creek below are part of an NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Project. The DNR and Dodge County LCD are working with the NRCS and area farmers in install practices needed, including streambank buffers, conservation tillage, and nutrient pesticide plans. Several Conservation easements have been signed. Both creeks have been monitored by the DNR for water quality concerns. High levels of nitrate were observed.

Date 2002

Author Aquatic Biologist

Gill Creek, East Branch Rock River Watershed (UR13) Fish and Aquatic Life

Gill Creek, East Branch Rock River Watershed (UR13) Recreation

Gill Creek, East Branch Rock River Watershed (UR13) Fish Consumption

General Condition

Phosphorus and Ammonia are listed as pollutants for Gill Creek. Aquatic toxicity from unionized amonia was added as an impairment in the 2006 303(d) list of changes.

In 2012 this waterbody was assessed and total phosphorus sample data exceed 2012 WisCALM listing criteria for the fish and aquatic life use to verify 303(d) listing. This water was again assessed during the 2014 listing cycle; total phosphorus sample data exceed 2014 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).

This water was assessed during the 2016 listing cycle; total phosphorus sample data exceed 2016 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). This water was also assessed for temperature and sample data did not exceed 2016 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use.

In 2017 this water was assessed for the 2018 listing cycle; new total phosphorus sample data exceed 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).

Date 2018

Author Ashley Beranek

Impaired Waters

The 2018 assessments of Gill Creek showed continued 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, no change in the existing impaired waters listing was needed.

Date 2017

Author Ashley Beranek

Impaired Waters

Gill Creek (861700), from its mouth to third crossing of Dairy Rd., was placed on the impaired waters list for sediment/total suspended solids in 1998, for ammonia and total phosphorus in 2006, and confirmed in subsequent years. The TMDL for sediment/total suspended solids and total phosphorus was approved in 2011 by the U.S. EPA.

The 2016 assessments showed continued impairment by phosphorus; total phosphorus sample data exceed 2016 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use, however, available biological data do not indicate impairment (i.e. no macroinvertebrate or fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scored in the "poor" condition category). This water was also assessed for temperature and sample data did not exceed 2016 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use. Based on the most updated information, no change in existing impaired waters listing is needed.

Date 2015

Author Aaron Larson

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

Final Draft 2018 Impaired Waters List

Comprehensive 2018 River/Stream Water Quality Assessments

2016 Total Phosphorus Monitoring Report - Gill Creek at CTH Y near Kekoskee

Comprehensive 2016 Rivers Stream Assessments

2014 Total Phosphorus Monitoring Report - Gill Creek At Cth Y Near Kekoskee

2013 Total Phosphorus Monitoring Report -Gill Creek At Cth Y Near Kekoskee

Rock River Basin TP TSS TMDL

USEPA Decision Document for the Approval of the Rock River Basin TMDL

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
Fish Propagation Actions	2001

Monitoring Projects

WBIC	Official Waterbody Name	Station ID	Station Name	Earliest Fieldwork Date	Latest Fieldwork Date	View Station	View Data
861700	Gill Creek	10032576	Gill Creek at 0.15 miles downstream of Dairy Rd. bridge			Map	Data
861700	Gill Creek	143319	Gill Creek At Hwy Y east of Leroy	4/22/1980	4/22/1997	Map	Data
861700	Gill Creek	143340	Gill Creek - Farmersville Road	4/22/1980	9/12/2006	Map	Data
861700	Gill Creek	10012935	Gill Creek At Farmersville Road			Map	Data
861700	Gill Creek	143318	Gill Creek - Hwy Y-N Of Kekoskee	2/27/1998	10/4/2005	Map	Data
861700	Gill Creek	143252	Gill Creek at Cth Z	11/18/1975	4/22/1997	Map	Data
861700	Gill Creek	143317	Gill Creek - Dairy Rd	4/22/1980	10/4/2005	Map	Data
861700	Gill Creek	143254	Gill Creek at Cth Y Nr Leroy	11/18/1975	3/30/1976	Map	Data
861700	Gill Creek	10012931	Gill Creek At Cth Y Near Kekoskee	4/22/1980	10/11/2016	Map	Data
861700	Gill Creek	143251	Gill Creek - Cth Y Nr Kekoskee	11/18/1975	10/4/2005	Map	Data
861700	Gill Creek	143325	Gill Creek - Elm Road Crossing	8/3/2004	3/7/2005	Map	Data
861700	Gill Creek	10012937	Gill Creek At Cth Y Near Leroy			Map	Data

Watershed Characteristics

Gill Creek is located in the East Branch Rock River watershed which is 198.99 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (58.90%), grassland (17.20%) and a mix of wetland (11.90%) and other uses (12.00%). This watershed has 306.48 stream miles, 292.02 lake acres and 16,059.62 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked High 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.

Natural Community

Gill Creek is considered a Cool-Cold 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 (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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