Watershed - West Branch Sugar River - Mt. Vernon Cre (SP16)
West Branch Sugar River - Mt. Vernon Cre Watershed

Details

The West Branch Sugar River and Mount Vernon Creek Watershed is generally considered a part of the overall Upper Sugar River watershed even though the two are officially separate. This watershed contains five exceptional resource waters (ERWs), four of which are considered cold water resources. Changes in land use have led to an increase in base flows and rehabilitation projects on Deer, Fryes Feeder, Flynn, and West Branch Sugar River have led to increased numbers of cool and coldwater species, including trout, in these streams. The West Branch Sugar River is on the state's list of impaired waters, however the aforementioned projects have improved the stream to the point where it may be taken off the list. Rural nonpoint source pollution is a threat as much of the area is in agriculture. Development at the headwaters of these streams poses a threat from stormwater and construction site runoff.

Date  2002