Mineral Point Branch, Mineral Point and Sudan Branches Watershed (SP09)
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Mineral Point Branch, Mineral Point and Sudan Branches Watershed (SP09)
Mineral Point Branch (927900)
24.51 Miles
0 - 24.51
Natural Community
Cool-Cold Mainstem, Macroinvertebrate, Cool-Cold Headwater, Cool-Warm Mainstem, Cool-Warm Headwater
Year Last Monitored
2024
Poor
 
This river is impaired
Degraded Biological Community
Total Phosphorus
 
Iowa, Lafayette
Trout Water 
No
Outstanding or Exceptional 
No
Impaired Water 
Yes

Fish and Aquatic Life

Current Use
Restricted Aquatic Life
Attainable Use
WWSF
Designated Use
Default FAL

Overview

Mineral Point Branch rises near Dodgeville and flows south to the Pecatonica River. It partially supports a warm water sport fishery, with a portion managed for smallmouth bass. This fishery may be degraded by polluted runoff. A 1990 smallmouth bass survey indicates that the bass fishery in the stream may be affected by whatever factors are causing the decline of the smallmouth bass fishery in southwestern Wisconsin (WDNR, 1992-931). A dam across the stream forms Ludden Lake. We have no information about the effects of that dam on the fishery or water quality below the dam. Two fish species on the state's threatened and endangered species list have been found in this stream, the slender madtom and the Ozark minnow (Fago, 1982).

Date  

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Overview

This warm water stream begins on the Military Ridge just west of Dodgeville and flows southerly into Lafayette County. A dam across the stream northwest of Mineral Point forms Ludden Lake. We have no information about the effects of the dam of the fishery or water quality below the dam (1995 basin report). Mineral Point Branch is managed as a smallmouth bass fishery and is considered one of the best quality bass fisheries in the region. The DNR Bureau of Research conducts monitoring every year to determine trends in bass populations (Sims). Their data shows a decrease in smallmouth bass population, similar to findings on streams in the region overall. In 2001, hoop net surveys found good populations of channel catfish and redhorse. Walleyes continue to be stocked, but the number of returns on these fish is currently unknown. Two fish species on the state’s threatened and endangered species list, the slender madtom and the Ozark minnow, have been found in this stream (Fago, 1982). There is no more recent evidence to confirm these species still inhabit the stream.

Date  2002

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

Mineral Point Branch (Bartles) - Mouth location T4N R2E Section 14 -15, Surface area = 35.0 acres, Length = 15.1 miles, Gradient = 18.5 feet per mile, Total alkalinity = 268.0 mg/l, Volume of flow = 8.9 cfs.
Mineral Point Branch is classified as a warmwater seepage stream although there are some springs feeding it. It begins on the Military Ridge just west of Dodgeville and flows southerly into Lafayette County where it meets
the West Branch of the Pecatonica River. Principal tributaries are the East Pecatonica River in Iowa County, and Furnace Creek which begins in Iowa County and enters in Lafayette County. There has been a history of pollution in the form of mine and cheese factory wastes from these tributaries.
Woodlands are scarce in the watershed and about 92 percent of it is farmed intensively, with beef cattle pasture being one of the chief land uses. Flooding is common and bank erosion is severe in most sections. This condition has been alleviated locally to some extent by the construction of a dam and subsequent 70-acre Ludden Lake just west of Mineral Point about midway in its length. The stream sport fishery is predominately smallmouth bass and catfish below Ludden Lake. The panfish present include rock bass. bluegills. green sunfish, black crappies and bullheads. Forage and rough fish found throughout most of its length include white and hogsuckers, hornyhead and creek chubs; suckermouth. bluntnose, and stoneroller minnows; common, rosyface and lake emerald shiners; stonecats, johnny darters, carp, quillback,carpsuckers, redhorse and buffalo. Aquatic game assets are limited because of lack of bank cover, but muskrats are commonly found in the
lower sections and ducks utilize the wider areas during spring and fall migrations. Ludden Lake provides the best wildlife habitat on the stream as well as the only planned public access. There are no public lands along this stream. Presently, it is accessible from six road crossings.

From: Piening, Ronald and Threinen, C.W., 1968. Lake and Stream Classification Project. Surface Water Resources of Iowa County, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.

Date  1968

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Historical Description

Mineral Point Branch, T3N, R2E, Sections 1-1, Surface acres = 19.1, Miles = 5.1, Gradient = 33.4 feet per mile, Total alkalinity = 264 mg/l, Volume of flow = 17.8 cfs.
As a major tributary of the West Branch of the Pecatonica, Mineral Point Branch is principally a warm water drainage stream. Only 5.5 percent of its total watershed area lies within the county. Furnace Creek is its only named tributary within the county. There is also one unnamed feeder which joins it just south of the county line. Mineral Point Branch provides good habitat for smallmouth bass and channel catfish since there are frequent stretches of deep quiet water with fairly deep pools found throughout its length. Since much of the floodplain is subject to severe flooding during periods of heavy runoff, bank erosion is a serious problem. Fresh meadow and firm pasture are the most prevalent cover types inthe bottoms, with upland hardwood pasture and cropland predominating on the uplands. Streambottom types consist of gravel with some silt near the mouth. Game assets include most upland species common to the county, and some puddle and wood ducks nesting near the mouth. Muskrats are also common. Public access within the county is restricted to two town road bridges since there is no other public land along the stream.

From: Piening, Ronald; Poff, Ronald; Threinen, C.W., 1967. Lake and Stream Classification Project. Surface Water Resources of Lafayette County, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.

Date  1967

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.
Fish and Aquatic Life communities are not fully supported in this ecosystem.
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 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.
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.
Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.