Cruson Slough , Bear Creek Watershed (LW14)
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Cruson Slough , Bear Creek Watershed (LW14)
Cruson Slough (1236300)
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19.95 Acres
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.
Small
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.
2012
Good
 
Richland
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.
Small
Small lake describes the size of small isolated waters. These variables affect the lakes response to watershed variables.
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.
WWSF
Streams capable of supporting a warm waterdependent sport fishery. Representative aquatic life communities associated with these waters generally require cool or warm temperatures and concentrations of dissolved oxygen that do not drop below 5 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.
Default FAL
Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.

Overview

Kruson Slough is a seepage and spring fed oxbow lake in the flood plain of the Wisconsin River 1.5 miles northwest of Lone Rock. Smith Lake adjoins the upper end of Cruson Slough. An earthen dike constructed in 1968 controls the low water level for waterfowl management and enhances the sport fishery. During high vater the Wisconsin River inundates the lake and brings in both rough and game fish. The principal sport fishery includes good populations of largemouth bass, bluegills and northern pike. Crappies, yellow perch, pumpkinseeds, bullheads and probably a few channel catfish are also available. Carp, buffalo and white suckers are abundant but do not appear to create a severe use problem. Brook silversides and other forage species are abundant. Carp were seined commercially until about 1947. Largemouth bass and warmouth bass fingerlings were stocked by the Wisconsin Conservation Department in 1947 and 1948.

The entire lake lies within the Lone Rock Public Hunting and Fishing Area, which is popular with waterfowl and deer hunters, and fishermen. A total of 182 acres of deep marsh and shrub swamp wetland adjoins the south shore. Scrub oak grow on the high sand banks adjoining the north and southwest shores. Game assets include muskrats, mink, beaver, otter, migratory and nesting waterfowl, deer, and ruffed grouse. Access is provided by a trail following the northshore, and a gravel launching ramp for small boats is located at the dike.

Source:1970, Surface Water Resources of Richland County,WI:WI-DNR Cruson Slough: T8N, R2E, Sec. 2, 3,10, 11 Surface area = 20.1 acres, S.D.F. = 2.83, maximum depth = 10 ft.

Date  1970

Author  Jean Unmuth

Cruson Slough , Bear Creek Watershed (LW14) Fish and Aquatic LifeCruson Slough , Bear Creek Watershed (LW14) RecreationCruson Slough , Bear Creek Watershed (LW14) Fish Consumption

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

Bear Creek Watershed Plan 2011 (LW14)

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
LAKE ALICE ASSOCIATION, INC: Lake Alice Stewardship Program Phase II - Understanding the Biota of Lake Alice2010

Monitoring Projects

WBICOfficial Waterbody NameStation IDStation NameEarliest Fieldwork DateLatest Fieldwork DateView StationView Data
5573548Cruson Slough10036388Cruson SloughMapData
5573548Cruson Slough10033018Cruson Slough6/28/20099/1/2012MapData
1236300Cruson Slough10033018Cruson Slough6/28/20099/1/2012MapData
1236300Cruson Slough10036388Cruson SloughMapData

Watershed Characteristics

Cruson Slough is located in the Bear Creek watershed which is 136.54 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (46.40%), agricultural (24.60%) and a mix of grassland (15.20%) and other uses (13.80%). This watershed has 236.07 stream miles, 119.46 lake acres and 6,798.61 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Medium 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

Cruson Slough is considered a Small 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.

Small lake describes the size of small isolated waters. These variables affect the lakes response to watershed variables.

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