Overview

Fryes Feeder Creek is considered a trout stream and is classified as an exceptional resource water (ERW). Stream and habitat restoration projects have also recently been completed on the creek with funding from the state’s Targeted Runoff Management program (Highlight the TRM project more) . Stream was monitored as a part of the 1999 and 2000 baseline monitoring. Tid-bit data from 2000. 2000-2001 Re-write with Mike Sorge

Date  2002

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

Fryes Feeder (Picture Rock Creek) -T6N, R7E, Sec. 33, Surface acres = 1.5, Length = 4 miles, Stream order = I, gradient = 38.3 ft/mile, Base discharge = 4.3 ft./sec.
This small, spring-fed stream joins Deer Creek to form Mount Vernon Creek. Water quality is good, there is good in-stream cover, and most of the stream banks have been fenced in pastured areas. There is a dense canopy of mature white cedars along the lower stretch of the stream. The Dane County Conservation League, in cooperation with the landowner, Dane County Highway Department, and the DNR recently diverted the stream from a barnyard on the west side of Town Hall Road to the east side of the road, improved the stream bank, and provided additional in-stream cover. Aquatic invertebrates and forage fish are plentiful. Fryes Feeder is the only stream in Dane County where rosyface shiners are found. A good native brown trout populatIon is present, and fishing pressure is moderate. Cooperation from landowners has been important in establ!lshlng the excellent fishery and must be continued to insure its protection. Access is available at three town roads. Fish species: sculpin, brown trout, creek chub, rosyface shiner, white sucker, central stoneroller, and mottled sculpin.

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

General Condition

Fryes Feeder (miles 0-2.03) was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; new total phosphorus 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

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

Fryes Feeder is located in the West Branch Sugar River - Mt. Vernon Cre watershed which is 66.74 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (39.90%), grassland (33.80%) and a mix of forest (19.70%) and other uses (6.60%). This watershed has 156.64 stream miles, 9.41 lake acres and 1,131.91 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked High for runoff impacts on streams, Not Ranked 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.