German Valley Branch, Gordon Creek Watershed (SP05)
German Valley Branch, Gordon Creek Watershed (SP05)
German Valley Branch (909200)
7.63 Miles
0 - 7.63
Cool-Cold Headwater, Coldwater
2025
Good
 

Overview

German Valley Branch is a seven-mile spring fed stream in Dane County on the south slope of Military Ridge that joins Big Spring Creek (also known as Blue Mounds Branch) to form Gordon Creek. Its designated use has not been
codified. Although this entire stream is on the state’s list of impaired waters due to habitat degradation caused by heavy sedimentation, German Valley has shown signs of improvement over the last several years, and is now
considered to be meeting its designated use. As such, German Valley Branch, along with Syftestad Creek, serve as a reference stream for these TMDLs.
Previously, under its impaired condition, German Valley Branch only supported a warm water forage fishery. Recent monitoring indicates that the stream now supports a cold water fish community including abundant mottled sculpin, numerous brown trout that migrate upstream from Gordon Creek and American brook lamprey.

German Valley Creek is currently managed as a Class II trout stream but fisheries and water quality reclassification submittals are pending approval. Surveys conducted in 2001 and 2002 showed water temperatures that stayed below 75 F and dissolved oxygen stayed above 6.0 mg/l, even during rain events. Fish shocking conducted in that same year at CTH Z showed several year classes of brown trout as well as the presence of other cold water species such as mottled sculpin and American brook lamprey. In conjunction with biological sampling data, WDNR biologists made visual observations in 2002 regarding the stream. They noted that the bottom consisted of rock and rubble with areas of sediment deposition,
and that the stream was narrow.

According to Department habitat ratings, these observations suggest fair habitat. The Cold Water Index of Biotic Integrity (CWIBI) for this survey was 50, which indicates a “fair” assemblage of coldwater species. This improvement may be due to the large enrollment of upstream lands in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). There is an ongoing project on German Valley Branch to rehabilitate the stream corridor to mitigate the effects of sediment from nonpoint sources and improve fish habitat. Such efforts will continue through 2005.

Date  2006

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

German Valley Creek -T5N, R6E, Sec. 6, Surface acres = 1.5, Length = 5 mIles, Stream order = II, Gradient = 36.0 ft/mile.
Base discharge = 0.19 cfs.
ThIs small. sprlng-fed stream on the south slope of Military Ridge joins the Blue Mounds Branch near the lowa-Dane County line to form Gordon Creek. ApproxImately 130 acres of pastured fresh meadow adjoin the stream near the mouth. Watershed problems include severe stream bank erosIon, overgrazing. and agricultural runoff. The stream presently supports a good dIversity of forage fish. A trout fishery could be established through an intensive habitat and watershed management program. Access is available at six road crossings. Fish species: brook lamprey, central stoneroller, blacknose dace, creek chub, white sucker, brook stickleback, and Johnny darter.

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

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Waters that support fish and aquatic life communities (healthy biological communities).
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.
Streams 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 through natural reproduction and selective propagation. 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.
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.
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.