Grant
No
No
No
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
Hackett Branch and some of its smaller tributaries are spring and seepage fed streams which often indicate good water quality potential (Smith and Ball, 1971). The stream, however, has been designated an impaired water and is listed on the 303(d) of impaired waters. The Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scores and stream water quality ratings, indicators environmental degradation, for Hackett Branch, ranged from fair to poor while in-stream habitat evaluations show the stream to have generally fair to good habitat quality (Wang et.al., 1996). These data, coupled with the local intense agricultural land use, indicates the stream is most likely affected by non-point sources of pollution.
Recent sampling done in 1994 through 1996 found good water quality. Macroinvertebrate samples from the same year found approximately 12% of mayflies, caddisflies and stoneflies compared to just over 65% midges (Marshall, 1999). High numbers of midge typically suggest some sort of environmental degradation usually as a result of agricultural non-point source pollution (Gamman, 1983).
Date 2001
Author Aquatic Biologist
Historical Description
From: Smith, Tom D., and Ball, Joseph R., Lake and Stream Classification Project. Surface Water Resources of Grant County, Department of Natural Resources, 1972. Surface Area = 4.15 acres, Length = 5.7 miles, Gradient = 42 ft./mile, Flow = 2.3 c.f.s.
A southeasterly flowing, spring-fed stream beginning two miles south of Bloomington and emptying into the Grant River three miles northeast of Beetown. Due to the fact that much of this watershed is cultivated, flooding and bank erosion are major problems. The building of water controi structures on several of the small tributaries would greatly enhance the stream habitat. Forage fish dominate the fishery at the present time and crayfish are also common. Due to the good water quality and the numerous spring tributaries this stream may be considered for trout stocking in the future. Muskrats and a few puddle ducks frequent the stream. Access is possible from Highway 35 which parallels the stream, the Grant River, and two bridge crossings. Ten rural dwellings adjoin the stream.
Date 1972
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
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
Monitor Aquatic Biology
Conduct biological (mIBI or fIBI) monitoring on Hackett Br, WBIC: 961400, AU:18566
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 |
|---|
| 961400 | Hackett Br | 223255 | Hackett Branch at Sth 81 Near Hurricane WI | | | Map | Data |
| 961400 | Hackett Br | 223339 | Hackett Branch - Nr Beetown WI | 6/19/2001 | 10/16/2001 | Map | Data |
| 961400 | Hackett Br | 10010524 | Hackett Br - 2 | 5/11/1995 | 4/29/1996 | Map | Data |
| 961400 | Hackett Br | 223223 | Hackett Branch - Sth 81 | 5/10/1979 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
| 961400 | Hackett Br | 223256 | Hackett Branch - Near Beetown WI | 5/13/1991 | 4/29/1996 | Map | Data |
| 961400 | Hackett Br | 10029198 | Hackett Branch - 85m US Budworth School Rd | 5/4/2004 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
| 961400 | Hackett Br | 10010517 | Hackett Br | | | Map | Data |
|
Watershed Characteristics
Hackett Br is located in the Middle Grant River watershed which is 79.86 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (48.80%), grassland (37.40%) and a mix of forest (9.70%) and other uses (3.90%). This watershed has 206.44 stream miles, 6.02 lake acres and 0.00 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked Medium 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.