Grant
No
No
No
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
This six mile long stream begins just north of Cuba City and flows northwest where it joins Snowden Branch. A 2009 survey of three sites on French Creek showed it to be typical of small streams in this watershed. It is generally a robust coolwater forage fi shery although an occasional trout can be found in the lower section near the confluence with the Snowden Branch. Most of the stream is of higher gradient so the bottom is generally rubble/cobble. Much of the stream corridor is pastured, but grassed with a few raw outside bends.
Date 2011
Author James Amrhein
Historical Description
A spring-fed stream flowing northwest from Cuba City to enter the trout stream portion of Snowden Branch two miles southwest of Big Patch. Nearly 98 percent of the land in the watershed has been cleared for agricultural purposes. This factor along with overgrazing in many sections has resulted in heavy bank erosion.
A few deep pools are found along a high, scenic limestone cliff near the mouth. Large rubble and gravel are the primary bottom types. A few brown trout migrating from Snowden Branch may be found in the lower reaches but forage fish are the major fish species. Due to the small size of the stream game assets are limited to a few muskrats, raccoon, squirrels, red fox, deer, and ruffed grouse. Barnyards and pig yards located on several headwater tributaries cause minor pollution problems. The stream can be easily reached from four bridge crossings with five dwellings situated near the stream.
From: Smith, Tom D., and Ball, Joseph R., Lake and Stream Classification Project. Surface Water Resources of Grant County, Department of Natural Resources, 1972. Surface Area = 3.56 acres, Length = 4.9 miles, Gradient = 37 ft./mile,
Flow = 2.5 c.f.s.
Date 1972
Author Aquatic Biologist
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
TMDL (USEPA) Approved
The sediment TMDL was approved September 12, 2006.
TMDL Implementation
Snowden Branch (944600) TMDL Implementation for 1 TMDL for 1 waterbody segment and 2 impairments from the 2004 Wisconsin 303(d) list.
An Implementation Plan is needed.
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 |
|---|
| 945000 | Unnamed | 10030381 | Unnamed Trib to French Creek | 10/14/2009 | 10/14/2009 | Map | Data |
| 944800 | French Creek | 10030430 | French Creek - 50 m above junction with Snowden | 4/26/2004 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
| 944800 | French Creek | 10014740 | French Creek - Klar Road | 8/10/2006 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
| 944800 | French Creek | 10030431 | French Creek 20 M upstream CTH D | 1/1/2015 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
|
Watershed Characteristics
French Creek is located in the Little Platte River watershed which is 154.94 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (46.20%), grassland (38%) and a mix of forest (10.40%) and other uses (5.50%). This watershed has 389.19 stream miles, 19.99 lake acres and 585.06 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked High for runoff impacts on streams, Not Available 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.