Pine Creek, Sevenmile and Silver Creeks Watershed (MA01)
Pine Creek, Sevenmile and Silver Creeks Watershed (MA01)
Pine Creek (66300)
4 Miles
2 - 6
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.
Warm Headwater
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
Fair
 
Manitowoc
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.
No
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.
No
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.
LAL
Streams capable of supporting macro-invertebrates or occasionally fish that are tolerant of organic pollution. Typically small streams with very low-flow and very limited habitat. Certain marshy ditches, concrete line-drainage channels, and other intermittent streams. Representative aquatic life communities associated with these waters are tolerant of many extreme conditions, but typically require concentrations of dissolved oxygen that remain about 1 mg/L.
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.
LAL
Streams capable of supporting macro-invertebrates or occasionally fish that are tolerant of organic pollution. Typically small streams with very low-flow and very limited habitat. Certain marshy ditches, concrete line-drainage channels, and other intermittent streams. Representative aquatic life communities associated with these waters are tolerant of many extreme conditions, but typically require concentrations of dissolved oxygen that remain about 1 mg/L.

Overview

Pine Creek has agricultural nonpoint sources, two point source dischargers, and several road crossings that impact the water quality of water in Manitowoc County. The stream's potential to support a balanced biological community is also affected by low flow. During spring runoff, Lake Michigan fish species such as smelt may use the mouth areas of Pine Creek for spawning.

An investigation conducted by WDNR biologists suggests the classification of the stream should be upgraded from LAL and WWFF to WWSF and LAL, respectively. A field survey was conducted in October 1996 and biologists believe the classification could be WWSF and LAL. Use the final report that integrated the State Lab of Hygiene water chemistry results and the recommendations to upgrade use classification to WWSF. From: Willman, Guy and Mike Toneys. 2001. The State of the Lakeshore Basin. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.

Date  2001

Author  Michael Toneys

Pine Creek, Sevenmile and Silver Creeks Watershed (MA01) Fish and Aquatic LifePine Creek, Sevenmile and Silver Creeks Watershed (MA01) RecreationPine Creek, Sevenmile and Silver Creeks Watershed (MA01) Fish Consumption

General Condition

Agricultural nonpoint sources, two point source dischargers, and several road crossings impact the water quality of Pine Creek in Manitowoc County. The stream's biological potential to support a balanced biological community is affected by low flow. During spring runoff, Lake Michigan fish species such as smelt may use the mouth areas of Pine Creek for spawning. An investigation conducted by WDNR biologists suggests the classification of the stream should be upgraded from LAL and WWFF to WWSF and LAL, respectively. A field survey was conducted in October 1996 and biologists believe the classification could be WWSF and LAL. A report will be generated once the State Lab of Hygiene reports the water chemistry results.

Date  1997

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

Natural Community Review or Change
Station 10045063, Pine Creek 25 Meters US Gass Lake Road was modeled as a WARM HEADWATER but is recommended as a Cool Warm Headwater based on the 2017 Natural Community temperature evaluation analysis tool.
Natural Community Review or Change
Station 10016013, Pine Creek above Cth U was modeled as a WARM HEADWATER but is recommended as a Cool Cold Headwater based on the 2017 Natural Community temperature evaluation analysis tool.
Information and Education
Pine Creek is currently listed for phosphorus. This study provides additional biological data showing impacts from the phosphorus listing.
Best Management Practices, Implement
DNR should work with partners to reduce phosphorus runoff and engage local units of government and watershed residents in stream restoration.

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

Pine Creek is located in the Sevenmile and Silver Creeks watershed which is 112.90 miĀ². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (57.20%), grassland (18.40%) and a mix of wetland (7.50%) and other uses (16.80%). This watershed has 184.08 stream miles, 10,577.89 lake acres and 4,732.70 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

Pine Creek is considered a Warm Headwater 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.

Warm Headwaters are small, usually intermittent streams with warm summer temperatures. Coldwater fishes are absent, transitional fishes are common to uncommon, and warm water fishes are abundant to common. Headwater species are abundant to common, mainstem species are common to absent, and river species are absent.

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