Days Branch, Upper Grant River Watershed (GP06)
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Days Branch, Upper Grant River Watershed (GP06)
Days Branch (964000)
3.25 Miles
0 - 3.25
Natural Community
Macroinvertebrate, Cool-Cold Headwater
Year Last Monitored
Unknown
 
Grant
Trout Water 
Yes
Outstanding or Exceptional 
No
Impaired Water 
No

Fish and Aquatic Life

Current Use
Supported Aquatic Life
Attainable Use
Cold (Class II Trout)
Designated Use
Cold

Overview

Day Branch is a small spring-fed tributary to the Grant River near Lancaster. The stream is listed as a class II trout stream and is managed as a trout fishery although it is not identified as trout waters in the 2000 “Wisconsin Trout Fishing Regulations and Guide” (WDNR, 1980). Day Branch had a good brown trout fishery 25-30 years ago, however, degradation of instream habitat due to agricultural non-point sources of pollution has reduced the fisheries potential (Fix, 1991). The stream should be assessed to determine current conditions. Public access to the stream is lacking.

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 = .69 acre, Length = 1.9 miles, Gradient = 63 ft./mile, Flow = 2.1 c.f.s.

A moderate-gradient spring-fed stream entering the upper reaches of the Grant River from the east three miles west of Lancaster. This stream is known locally as "Days Branch". Strean bottom materials are primarily gravel and rubble which is reflected in the density of some of the aquatic bug-life production. Brown trout dominate the fishery and are stocked annually by the Lancaster Sportsman'a Club. Natural reproduction may occur because there are some suitable spawning areas in the stream. Brook trout are also present and the stream receives a large amount of fishing pressure from the local people. White suckers, creek chubs, and stonerollers make up the limited forage fish population. Game assets include a few muskrats and other upland species. The Grant River provides navigable water access. The stream can also be reached with permission though private lands and fence stiles are provided along Highway A by the Lancaster Sportsman's Club.

Date  1972

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.