Dane
Yes
Yes
No
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
Flynn Creek is a tributary to the West Branch Sugar River and classified as trout waters and an exceptional resource water (ERW). A rare aquatic species has been found in the stream (Fago, 1982). Runoff from croplands and pastures causes siltation in the stream and potentially affects the in-stream habitat of the creek. Temp infor present Tidbit 2000-present. Monitored in 1999, 2000, 2001 and showed natural reproduction of brook trout).
Date 2002
Author Aquatic Biologist
Historical Description
Flynn Creek -T5N, R8E, Sec. 18, Surace acres = 1.7, Length = 3 miles, Stream order = I, Gradient = 21.8 ft/mile,
Base discharge = 1.6 cfs.
Flynn Creek is a small, sprlng-fed tributary to the West Branch of the Sugar River. Its substrate is mostly sand and silt with some gravel, especially near the headwaters. Two large springs provide good flow and keep summer temperatures cool. Forage fish are abundent. It is managed as a Class II trout stream as some natural reproduction occurs, and brown trout are stocked annually. Some in-stream habitat improvement has occurred. Shallow pools and periods of low flow prevent this stream from having a more productive trout fishery. Watershed problems include intensive grazing, stream bank erosion, and siltatlon. About 27 acres of shrub swamp adjoin the stream at the mouth. Access is available at five road crossings.
Fish species: brown trout, central mudmlnnow, redslde dace, common shiner, fathead minnow, creek chub, white sucker, black bullhead, brook stickleback, and mottled sculpin.
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
General Condition
Flynn Creek was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; new total phosphorus 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
Recommendations
Citizen-Based Stream Monitoring
Collect chemical, physical, and/or biological water quality data to assess the current overall stream health. The data can inform management decisions and may be used to identify impaired waters for biennial lists.
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 |
|---|
| 886400 | Flynn Creek | 10013345 | Flynn Creek 3 | | | Map | Data |
| 886400 | Flynn Creek | 10015996 | Flynn Creek - 15 Meters Upstream Of Fritz Road2nd Crossing Upstream Of Cth A | 4/13/1999 | 4/13/1999 | Map | Data |
| 886400 | Flynn Creek | 10009425 | Flynn Creek At Southern Fritz Rd. Crossing | 10/6/2005 | 10/6/2005 | Map | Data |
| 886400 | Flynn Creek | 10013343 | Flynn Creek 1 | 6/5/2010 | 8/9/2011 | Map | Data |
| 886400 | Flynn Creek | 10013347 | Flynn Creek at Fritz Road | 4/13/1999 | 4/13/1999 | Map | Data |
| 886400 | Flynn Creek | 10013348 | Flynn Creek 1st Xing at Fritz Rd | 5/6/1997 | 4/21/2021 | Map | Data |
| 886400 | Flynn Creek | 10009424 | Flynn Creek At Cth A | 1/1/2015 | 10/20/2016 | Map | Data |
| 886400 | Flynn Creek | 10016353 | Flynn Cr. - Flynn Rd.-3rd Bridge Heading North | 10/9/1987 | 10/9/1987 | Map | Data |
| 886400 | Flynn Creek | 10013346 | Flynn Creek at Cth A | 4/13/1999 | 10/30/2017 | Map | Data |
| 886400 | Flynn Creek | 10016761 | Flynn - Schaller Rd. | 5/28/1986 | 5/28/1986 | Map | Data |
| 886400 | Flynn Creek | 10009426 | Flynn Creek At Second Fritz Rd. Crossing (Traveling N) | 10/30/2000 | 10/30/2000 | Map | Data |
| 886400 | Flynn Creek | 10013344 | Flynn Creek 2 | | | Map | Data |
|
Watershed Characteristics
Flynn Creek is located in the West Branch Sugar River - Mt. Vernon Cre watershed which is 66.74 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (39.90%), grassland (33.80%) and a mix of forest (19.70%) and other uses (6.60%). This watershed has 156.64 stream miles, 9.41 lake acres and 1,131.91 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.