Water Detail - Elvers Creek (Bohn Cr.), Mill and Blue Mounds Creek Watershed (LW15)

Elvers Creek (Bohn Cr.), Mill and Blue Mounds Creek Watershed (LW15)

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Elvers Creek (Bohn Cr.) (1251600)

Size

10.06 Miles

Segment

0 - 10.06

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 Mainstem, Cool-Cold 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.

2023

General Condition

Good

County

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.

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

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.

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

Overview

Elvers Creek is a small trout stream. The stream is classified as Class II in its lower three miles and Class III in the upper five miles. The stream and overall water quality in the stream are thought to be negatively affected by nonpoint sources of pollution, specifically streambank erosion. In addition, parts of the stream have been ditched in the past. It is thought, that with the proper management, the Class II portion could be upgraded to a Class I trout stream and the Class III portion could be upgraded to a Class II stream. Currently, there is little information available for the stream. As a result of this nonpoint source pollution and the possibility for improvement, the stream has been ranked as a high priority for nonpoint source pollution and would benefit from a nonpoint source pollution reduction project.

From: Ripp, Coreen, Koperski, Cindy and Folstad, Jason. 2002. The State of the Lower Wisconsin River Basin. PUBL WT-559-2002. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.

Date 2002

Author Cynthia Koperski

Historical Description

Elvers Creek is a small trout stream (WDNR, 1980). Part of the stream has been ditched in the past (DCRPC, 1992). Nonpoint sources of water pollution are thought to be causing some water quality problen~s (Day, 1985"). Little or no water resources data exist for the stream. Parts of Elver Creek could be upgraded to Class I trout water with intensive management (Day, 1985).

Date 1994

Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Historical Description

Elvers Creek (Bohn Creek) - T7N, R6E, Sec. 17, Surface acres = 7.6, Length = 8 miles, Stream order = III, Gradient = 21.0 ft/mile, Base discharge = 15 cfs.
This sprlng-fed stream flows down the north slope of Military Ridge, joining Ryan Creek to form theEast Branch of Blue Mounds Creek. Tributaries include Bohn and Moen creeks and three unnamed creeks. Bottom substrate is mostly gravel in the upper sections changing to sand and silt in the middle and deep silt and muck in the lower sections. Some ditching has occurred In the lower end. Water quality is good throughout the stream. The middle sections of the creek are considered Class II trout fishery as some natural reproduction occurs. The rest of the stream is Class III. Good populations of forage fish are present. Parts of Elvers Creek could be upgraded to Class I trout waters through an intensive management program. Overgrazing and stream bank erosion are problems, and beavers have recently become a nuisance. The Department of Natural Resources owns 105. acres fronting on Elvers (Bohn) and Ryan Creeks in Sections 8 and 17 of Vermont Township. Access is also available at four road crossings. Fish species: brook lamprey, brown and rainbow trout, blacknose dace, creek chub, white sucker, green sunfish, and mottled sculpln.

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

Elvers Creek (Bohn Cr.), Mill and Blue Mounds Creek Watershed (LW15) Fish and Aquatic Life

Elvers Creek (Bohn Cr.), Mill and Blue Mounds Creek Watershed (LW15) Recreation

Elvers Creek (Bohn Cr.), Mill and Blue Mounds Creek Watershed (LW15) Fish Consumption

General Condition

Elvers Creek (Bohn Cr.) (WBIC 1251600) was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; new 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

2020 Comprehensive WQ Assessments

2018 List of Healthy (Category 2) Waters

Comprehensive 2018 River/Stream Water Quality Assessments

Trout Stream Assessment 2008

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
Fish Propagation Actions	2001

Monitoring Projects

WBIC	Official Waterbody Name	Station ID	Station Name	Earliest Fieldwork Date	Latest Fieldwork Date	View Station	View Data
1251600	Elvers Creek	10013394	Elvers Creek 3			Map	Data
1251600	Elvers Creek	10010791	Elvers Creek At Fence Line ~3000 Upstream Cty J			Map	Data
1251600	Elvers Creek	10013399	Elvers Creek 9			Map	Data
1251600	Elvers Creek	10014244	Elvers Creek-Blue Mounds Tr. Bridge Upstream 832 M To End	1/1/2015	8/3/2023	Map	Data
1251600	Elvers Creek	10013395	Elvers Creek 4	1/1/2015	7/3/2023	Map	Data
1251600	Elvers Creek	10013396	Elvers Creek 5 (Cth J)			Map	Data
1251600	Elvers Creek	10042457	Elvers Creek - 110m DS at the end of Oak Tree Court			Map	Data
1251600	Elvers Creek	10015793	Moen Ck - 35 M Us Hwy JG	9/14/1999	8/3/2023	Map	Data
1251600	Elvers Creek	10015937	Elvers Creek - 320 Feet Upstream Before Barnyardrunoff In Elvers Creek	7/8/1988	7/8/1988	Map	Data
1251600	Elvers Creek	10013398	Elvers Creek 7-8 (S. Of Moen Creek)			Map	Data
1251600	Elvers Creek	10009599	Elvers Creek At Cty Hwy J Bridge	1/1/2015	11/7/2022	Map	Data
1251600	Elvers Creek	10013397	Elvers Creek 6	6/5/2001	6/5/2001	Map	Data
1251600	Elvers Creek	10013392	Elvers Creek near Kellher Rd. [1]			Map	Data

Watershed Characteristics

Elvers Creek is located in the Mill and Blue Mounds Creek watershed which is 186.74 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (54.60%), grassland (20.40%) and a mix of agricultural (15.30%) and other uses (9.80%). This watershed has 382.87 stream miles, 106.91 lake acres and 6,596.99 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Medium for runoff impacts on streams, Low 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.This water is ranked High Stream for individual Rivers based on runoff problems and the likelihood of success from project implementation.

Natural Community

Elvers Creek (Bohn Cr.) is considered a Cool-Cold Mainstem, Cool-Cold 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.

Cool (Cold-Transition) Mainstem streams are moderate-to-large but still wadeable perennial streams with cold to cool summer temperatures. Coldwater fishes are common to uncommon, transitional fishes are abundant to common, and warm water fishes are uncommon to absent. Headwater species are common to absent, mainstem species are abundant to common, and river species are common to absent.

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.

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