Ditch to Miljala Channel, Lower Crawfish River Watershed (UR02)
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Ditch to Miljala Channel, Lower Crawfish River Watershed (UR02)
Ditch to Miljala Channel (4000015)
0.71 Miles
1.38 - 2.09
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.
Not Determined
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
 
Jefferson
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.
Default FAL
Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.
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

Miljala Channel, in the Lower Crawfish River Watershed, is a river that falls in Jefferson County. This river is managed for fishing and swimming and is currently not considered impaired.

Date  2014

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Ditch to Miljala Channel, Lower Crawfish River Watershed (UR02) Fish and Aquatic LifeDitch to Miljala Channel, Lower Crawfish River Watershed (UR02) RecreationDitch to Miljala Channel, Lower Crawfish River Watershed (UR02) 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

2018 List of Healthy (Category 2) Waters
Comprehensive 2018 River/Stream Water Quality Assessments
Management Plan: Miljala Channel Tributary Watershed, Town of Lake Mills, WI
The Miljala Channel of Rock Lake: Sediment Control and Water Quality Improvement
Final Report: Water Quality Monitoring and Evaluation of Pollutant Sources Within the Southwest Subwatershed of Rock Lake
Water Quality Monitoring and Evaluation of Pollutant Sources within the Southwest Subwatershed of Rock Lake [2009 sampling results]

Recommendations

Shoreland Monitoring, Assessment, Inventory
Shoreland Monitoring, Assessment or Inventory
Lake Management Plan Development
Lakes Planning Grant
Shoreland Ordinance
Jefferson County Parks Department will implement the Korth Park Shoreline Restoration project along 1,300 feet of shoreline on Rock Lake. Project deliverables include: re-establishing native shoreland, upland and aquatic vegetation, stabilizing the shoreline and grading to reduce steep slopes and existing erosion.
Shoreland Monitoring, Assessment, Inventory
Jefferson County Parks Department will implement the Korth Park Shoreline Restoration project along 1,300 feet of shoreline on Rock Lake. Project deliverables include: re-establishing native shoreland, upland and aquatic vegetation, stabilizing the shoreline and grading to reduce steep slopes and existing erosion.
Land Acquisition
Jefferson County purchase 91.5 acres on Rock Lake for county park and open space purposes. Jefferson County will acquire property for lake protection purposes. The preservation of these parcels are for open space and passive recreation use.

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
TOWN OF LAKE MILLS: Rock Lake Clean Boats Clean Waters Project 20142014
JEFFERSON COUNTY LCD: HLR - Jefferson County Healthy Lakes Grant 72024
TOWN OF LAKE MILLS: Town of Lake Mills 2018 CBCW2018
JEFFERSON CO LWCD: Rock Lake Shoreland and Shallows Survey2015
ROCK LAKE IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION: Rock Lake Development of Management Plan for Miljola Channel Tributary2010
CITY OF LAKE MILLS: City of Lake Mills 2016 Clean Boats Clean Water2016
JEFFERSON CO LWCD: HLK-Jefferson County Healthy Lakes Grant 22018
TOWN OF LAKE MILLS: Town of Lake Mills 2019 CBCW2019
TOWN OF LAKE MILLS: Town of Lake Mills 2016 Clean Boats Clean Waters2016
JEFFERSON COUNTY: HLR - Jefferson County Healthy Lakes Grant 62023
TOWN OF LAKE MILLS: Town of Lake Mills 2020 CBCW2020
JEFFERSON COUNTY: HLR-Jefferson County Healthy Lakes 52022
ROCK LAKE IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION: Miljala Tributary Watershed-Construction Plan Set2022
JEFFERSON CO LWCD: Rock/Mud Lake Fish Pop Surveys2012
ROCK LAKE IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION: Rock Lake Additional Pollution Source Identification2010
JEFFERSON CO. PARKS DEPT.: RES-Korth Park Shoreline Restoration2003
CITY OF LAKE MILLS: City of Lake Mills 2020 CBCW2020
TOWN OF LAKE MILLS: Rock Lake 2015 Clean Boats Clean Waters Project2015
JEFFERSON CO LWCD: HLk-Rock Lake Healthy Lake2017
CITY OF LAKE MILLS: City of Lake Mills 2018 CBCW2018
ROCK LAKE IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION: Miljala Tributary Watershed-Practice Determination2022
JEFFERSON CO. PARKS DEPT.: ACQ-Rock Lake Korth Property Acquisition1999
CITY OF LAKE MILLS: City of Lake Mills 2019 CBCW2019
CITY OF LAKE MILLS: Lake Mills 2017 CBCW2017
TOWN OF LAKE MILLS: Lake Mills 2017 CBCW2017

Monitoring Projects

WBICOfficial Waterbody NameStation IDStation NameEarliest Fieldwork DateLatest Fieldwork DateView StationView Data
4000015Unnamed10030009Channel from North of Shorewood Hills Rd5/19/20095/19/2009MapData
4000015Unnamed10030017Unnamed Rock Lake trib (A South)5/19/200910/23/2009MapData

Watershed Characteristics

Unnamed is located in the Lower Crawfish River watershed which is 177.65 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (66.50%), grassland (11.20%) and a mix of wetland (10.70%) and other uses (11.60%). This watershed has 331.66 stream miles, 1,780.53 lake acres and 12,199.86 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Low 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.

Natural Community

Ditch to Miljala Channel's natural community is not yet identified 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.