Schlapbach Creek, Upper Sugar River Watershed (SP15)
Schlapbach Creek, Upper Sugar River Watershed (SP15)
Schlapbach Creek (888500)
2.81 Miles
0 - 2.81
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.
2017
Good
 
Dane
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.
Yes
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.
No

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.
Supported Aquatic Life
Waters that support fish and aquatic life communities (healthy biological communities).
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 I Trout)
Streams supporting a cold water sport fishery, or serving as a spawning area for salmonids and other cold water fish species through natural reproduction. 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.
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

Schlapbach Creek rises near the northeast corner of the village of Mount Horeb and flows easterly to the Sugar River. The stream is spring fed, has very good water quality and is designated an exceptional resource water (ERW). The in-stream habitat, however, has been negatively affected by sedimentation from intense grazing of streambanks and runoff from croplands. In addition, the stormwater from Mount Horeb impacts the volume of flow in the creek. Changes in land use in the upper part of the watershed, from farming to recreation, have increased baseflow to streams in the region. More recently, several land owners in the Sletto Road area have indicated an interest in returning a portion of the riparian corridor to prairie, which should help increase rainwater infiltration and buffer the creek against nonpoint source pollution (Amrhein, pers. comm). A plan by the village of Mt. Horeb to develop a portion of the headwaters may impact runoff and infiltration. Temperature monitoring has been conducted since 2000 and a fish survey was conducted in 2002. This monitoring showed the creek has the potential to support brook trout. Fish management may stock brook trout in the stream in 2003.

Date  2006

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Overview

Schlapbach Creek rises near the northeast corner of the village of Mount Horeb and flows easterly to the Sugar River. The stream is spring fed, has very good water quality and is designated an exceptional resource water (ERW). The in-stream habitat, however, has been negatively affected by sedimentation from intense grazing of streambanks and runoff from croplands. In addition, the stormwater from Mount Horeb impacts the volume of flow in the creek. Changes in land use in the upper part of the watershed, from farming to recreation, have increased baseflow to streams in the region. More recently, several land owners in the Sletto Road area have indicated an interest in returning a portion of the riparian corridor to prairie, which should help increase rainwater infiltration and buffer the creek against nonpoint source pollution (Amrhein, 2002). A plan by the village of Mt. Horeb to develop a portion of the headwaters may impact runoff and infiltration. Temperature monitoring has been conducted since 2000 and a fish survey was conducted in 2002. This monitoring showed the creek has the potential to support brook trout. Fish management stocked 10 breeding pairs of brook trout in fall, 2002. Further studies will attempt to determine the success of this stocking.

Date  2002

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

Schalpbach Creek (Klevenville Creek) -T7N, R7E, Sec. 34, Surface acres = 1.8, Length = 3.5 miles. Stream order = I. Gradient = 24.4 ft/mile, Base discharge = 2.6 cfs.
Schalpbach Creek is a small tributary which originates at Mount Horeb and flows northeast through Springdale Township (T6N, R7E) before joining the Sugar River. It drains about 5 square miles of land and its flow is augmented by several large springs in Section 8 of Springdale Township (Dane Cty. Reg. Plann. Comm. 1979a). The waters of Schalpbach Creek are moderately fertile. Erosion caused by grazing has resulted In heavy silting of the creek bottom. Access is available in Mount Horeb and at four road crossings. Fish species: central mudminnow, redilde and southern redbelly dace, bluntnose and fathead minnow, creek chub, white sucker, largemouth bass, 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

Schlapbach Creek, Upper Sugar River Watershed (SP15) Fish and Aquatic LifeSchlapbach Creek, Upper Sugar River Watershed (SP15) RecreationSchlapbach Creek, Upper Sugar River Watershed (SP15) Fish Consumption

General Condition

Schlapbach Creek was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; new total phosphorus, biological (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.
Rivers Management Grant
Schlapback Creek presents opportunities for a diverse and dynamic protection and management program. The goal of this grant is to implement Phase I of the emerging watershed management plan for the Schlapbch Creek watershed. Specific objectives include: Perform in-stream restoration of Schlapback Creek to favor brook trout habitat; set up a volunteer stream monitoring program; work with landowners; etc. A full description of the project goal and objectives are in the grant application- which is a part of this application.
Rivers Management Grant
Schlapback Creek presents opportunities for a diverse and dynamic protection and management program. The goal of this grant is to implement Phase I of the emerging watershed management plan for the Schlapbch Creek watershed. Specific objectives include: Perform in-stream restoration of Schlapback Creek to favor brook trout habitat; set up a volunteer stream monitoring program; work with landowners; etc.
Partnership Project
The Upper Sugar River Watershed Association will bring together a diverse set of partners to develop a small watershed management plan for Schlapbach Creek that will address the six key elements of a strategy to protect the quality of the watershed.

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

Schlapbach Creek is located in the Upper Sugar River watershed which is 105.96 miĀ². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (42.90%), grassland (20.80%) and a mix of forest (13.80%) and other uses (22.60%). This watershed has 183.62 stream miles, 151.49 lake acres and 2,231.15 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.

Natural Community

Schlapbach 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.