Watershed Detail - Bear Creek

Details

The Bear Creek watershed drains 126.5 square miles. Bear Creek, the main water resource in the watershed, drains to the Wisconsin River in southeastern Richland and southwestern Sauk counties. The southern portion of watershed lacks surface water features. Much of the watershed is in the driftless, or unglaciated area of the state. The largest percentage of land cover in the watershed is broad-leaf deciduous forest. Agriculture, particularly dairying, is the largest land use in the watershed. There are significant grassland, forest land and wetlands in the watershed. These small wetland complexes are typically wet meadows and are adjacent to the streams in the watershed. Some of the wetlands are locally significant for waterfowl as well as for other wildlife species.

Date 2002

Population, Land Use

The watershed's 2000 population was estimated to be around 9,385. The largest municipalities in the watershed are Lone Rock and Spring Green. These municipalities have experienced high population growth in the past decade. The dominant land uses in the watershed include agriculture and forest, encompassing 45% and 41% of the land area, respectively. The trends in agriculture toward fewer dairy farms with reduced need for alfalfa and pasture, means many of those acres are being replaced with corn and soybeans. In steeply sloping areas of the state, such as much of the Bear Creek Watershed, this inevitably means higher rates of runoff of soil and nutrients. Significant upland acreage in this watershed was historically enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) beginning in the late 1980s and continuing through the 1990s. This program required taking cropland out of production and planting it to grasses. Many of these contracts have - and continue to - expire(d), meaning in transition they will become sources of sediment and nutrients again, particularly if they are used primarily for corn and soybean production, as is the case in much of Wisconsin.

Date 2010

Nonpoint and Point Sources

Water quality in the watershed is affected by nonpoint sources of pollution, such as from cropland and barnyard runoff. The portion of the watershed on the Wisconsin River floodplain is in an atrazine management area. Elevated levels of atrazine, an herbicide used on corn, have been found in some tested private water wells. Soils are permeable which allows atrazine to reach groundwater in some locations. In addition, the Village of Spring Green is closely monitoring a leaking underground storage tank site (LUST) to ensure that contamination from this site does not make drinking water unsafe. For more information, see the Groundwater Contamination Sites in the Basin section in the Basin Overview. The Lone Rock wastewater treatment plant discharges to groundwater in the watershed. The Spring Green Wastewater Treatment Plant discharges to the Wisconsin River. Two industrial facilities, the Hanor Companys Crouch Farm and Pecks Feed & Grain, also discharge to groundwater in the watershed

Date 2002

Ecological Landscapes

The Western Coulee and Ridges Ecological Landscape in southwestern and west central Wisconsin is characterized by its highly eroded, driftless topography and relatively extensive forested landscape. Soils are silt loams (loess) and sandy loams over sandstone residuum over dolomite. Several large rivers including the Wisconsin, Mississippi, Chippewa, Kickapoo and Black flow through or border the Ecological Landscape. Historical vegetation consisted of southern hardwood forests, oak savanna, scattered prairies, and floodplain forests and marshes along the major rivers. With Euro-American settlement, most of the land on ridgetops and valley bottoms was cleared of oak savanna, prairie, and level forest for agriculture. The steep slopes between valley bottom and ridgetop, unsuitable for raising crops, grew into oak-dominated forests after the ubiquitous presettlement wildfires were suppressed. Current vegetation is a mix of forest (40%), agriculture, and grassland with some wetlands in the river valleys. The primary forest cover is oak-hickory (51%) dominated by oak species and shagbark hickory. Maple-basswood forests (28%), dominated by sugar maple, basswood and red maple, are common in areas that were not subjected to repeated presettlement wildfires. Bottomland hardwoods (10%) are common in the valley bottoms of major rivers and are dominated by silver maple, ashes, elms, cottonwood, and red maple. Relict conifer forests including white pine, hemlock and yellow birch are a rarer natural community in the cooler, steep, north slope microclimates. The Bear Creek Watershed has a variety of good quality habitats and rare plant communities that are listed on the state's Natural Heritage Inventory, (NHI), kept by the Bureau of Endangered Resources. These communities include: cedar grove, dry cliff, dry prairie, moist cliff, oak barrens, oak openings, pine barrens, sand barrens, sand prairie, southern dry-mesic forest, southern mesic forest, alder thicket, emergent aquatic, floodplain forest, oxbow lake, shrub-carr, southern sedge meadow and springs and spring runs.

Date 2002

Recreational Opportunities

The Lone Rock, Bakkens Pond, and the Spring Green Units of the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway are in the watershed. Combined, these four units cover 4,238 acres, and 960, 2,678 and 600 acres respectively. All three units have a boat launch and are used for canoeing and fishing. The Bakkens Pond Unit also has opportunities for birdwatching. A state fishery area is located along Bear Creek. The fishery area contains approximately 800 acres of state-owned land and is located just north of Lone Rock on Highway 30.

Date 2002

Fisheries

Five different streams and stream segments in Bear Creek Watershed are considered trout waters by NR 102, Wisconsin Administrative Code, and the state Fisheries Classification NR 1 rules. There are 3.86 miles of Class 1 high quality trout waters having sufficient natural fish reproduction to sustain populations of wild trout, and the remaining 18.29 miles are class II waters having some natural fish reproduction, but may require fish stocking to maintain a desirable sport fishery.

Date 2010

Wildlife and Habitat

The watershed is also home for a variety of rare plant and animal species including; 7 species of beetle, 1 species of bird, 6 species of butterflies, 6 species of dragonflies, 15 species of fish, 1 species of grasshopper, 4 species of moths, 11 species of mussels, 29 species of plant species, 2 species of snakes, and 2 species of leafhoppers. These plants and animals are also listed on the state's Natural Heritage Inventory (NHI).

Date 2002

River and Stream QualityAll Waters in Watershed

While not all waterbodies in the Bear Creek watershed have been assessed, the overall general condition of the watershed is good. Landscape conditions and land use patterns and watershed conditions in this watershed are inextricably linked. Overall there is great variability in topography, from the steep, hilly land in the north, to the relatively flat Wisconsin River terrace in the south. In the hilly portion of the watershed, forest is by far the dominant land use, which puts a premium on the remaining land for its agricultural use. As is typical of the Driftless area of Wisconsin, ridge tops and valley bottoms are the only areas not too steep to farm. Consequently, farming or pasturing occurs right to the edge of the stream on many farms, with little or no buffer between fields and the streambank. Agriculture is the primary land disturbing activity, as well as the biggest source of nutrients, both land applied and concentrated on livestock farms. Water quality is reflective of this dominant land use, since it accounts for the largest sources of runoff from cropland, pasture and barnyards. Like many of southern Wisconsins watersheds, Bear Creek suffered extensive flooding of geologic proportion in the mid-1990s to the late 2000s, with the worst damage occurring in 2008. Resource professionals from the Land Conservation Departments of Sauk and Richland Counties report newly formed and greatly enlarged gullies throughout the watershed, particularly in the steep, wooded slopes. Thousands of tons of sediment were transported during these events and deposited in the valley bottoms, adding to the previous deposition occurring since the land was first put under plow in the mid-nineteenth century. This sediment severely limits streams potential to support fish and other aquatic life.

Date 2010

Watershed Trout Streams
Watershed Outstanding & Exceptional Resources

Lakes and Impoundments

There are ten named lakes, ponds, river oxbows or sloughs and approximately 24 unnamed lakes, ponds or sloughs totaling approximately 216 acres in the watershed. Nearly all are located in the floodplain of the Wisconsin River within the Bear Creek watershed. All named lakes have been assessed in the last 5 years through DNR River Planning Grants supported by Sauk County and Sauk Prairie River PAL, a non-profit organization. Information was collected to assess water chemistry, water quality, qualitative habitat, fishes and aquatic plants. Details summarizing the findings of individual floodplain lakes, sloughs, or oxbows can be found in the final Planning Grant reports. Most waterbodies are presently supporting their designated use of fish and aquatic life, with the exception of Blue Hole Slough. Blue Hole is less than one acre in size, and is very shallow with oxygen levels during some periods of the year that are too low to support fish. Yet, it is still important to other aquatic organisms like amphibians, waterfowl and aquatic insects. The remaining waters are not only meeting their designated use, but were found to be capable of supporting warm water fi shes, including state endangered, threatened or special concern species. In general, these waterbodies are in good to excellent condition, having good water clarity and quality, and contain an abundance of high quality aquatic plants and fishes not found elsewhere in the watershed. There are several sloughs with poor water clarity, elevated nutrient levels, excessive algae blooms, and high nitrates. Hutter, Jones and Norton sloughs were identified as either having high nutrients or excess algae growth. Some are very close to agricultural fields where manure and other nutrients are applied to crops grown. These nutrients are either reaching the sloughs through runoff or discharge of nutrient-laden groundwater. For example, Baakens Pond and Hill Slough have high nitrate levels.

Date 2010

Search for Lakes by County

Wetland Health

Wetland Status The Bear Creek watershed drains to the Wisconsin River in southeastern Richland and southwestern Sauk counties. Much of the watershed is in the drift less, or unglaciated area of the state. Roughly 7% of the current land uses in the watershed are wetlands. Only 2% of original wetlands in the watershed are estimated to exist. Of these wetlands, the majority are forested wetlands (63%) and emergent wetlands (30%) which include marshes and wet meadows. Wetland Condition Little is known about the condition of the remaining wetlands but estimates of reed canary grass infestations, an opportunistic aquatic invasive wetland plant, into different wetland types has been estimated based on satellite imagery. This information shows that reed canary grass dominates 84% of the existing emergent wetlands and 9.9% of the remaining forested wetlands. Reed Canary Grass domination inhibits successful establishment of native wetland species. Wetland Restorability Of the 1784 acres of estimated lost wetlands in the watershed, approximately 99% are considered potentially restorable based on modeled data, including soil types, land use and land cover (Chris Smith, DNR, 2009).

Date 2010

Potentially Restorable Wetland Analysis

Impaired Waters

The Lower Wisconsin River was placed on the impaired waters list in 1998 for the pollutant polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs). While much work has been done to reduce PCBs through controlling industrial waste water, it can persist in stream sediments for many years. The bioaccumulation of PCBs in the aquatic food chain results in contaminated fi sh tissue. PCBs and mercury are the contaminants of greatest concern in fish, prompting safe eating guidelines for all waters in the state. Little Bear Creek was monitored extensively from 2007-2009, and the segment from the mouth upstream to mile 6.77 has been proposed to be added to the impaired waters list in 2010. The pollutants responsible for this proposed listing are phosphorus, sediment and water temperature, and the impairments are degraded habitat and eutrophication. There are no lakes, ponds, sloughs or oxbows listed as impaired in the watershed.

Date 2010

List of Impaired Waters

Aquatic Invasive Species

In close cooperation with UW Extension and Wisconsin Sea Grant, education efforts focus on working with resource professionals and citizens statewide to teach boaters, anglers, and other water users how to prevent transporting aquatic invasive species when moving their boats. Additional initiatives include monitoring and control programs.

Date 2010

Groundwater

Groundwater is abundant in the watershed. Farmers using center pivot irrigation in agricultural fields, in the lower portion of the watershed, take advantage of this abundant groundwater and the shallow depth aquifer on the Wisconsin River sand and gravel terrace. The water table in the shallow aquifer experiences large fluctuations in response to climate and weather patterns. Unusually heavy precipitation in 1993, and again in 2008, caused the water table to rise above the grounds surface. Extensive damage to crops, residences and other property was caused by this groundwater flooding. Lakes, streams and wetlands in the watershed are not only dependent on groundwater quantity for healthy aquatic life, but also groundwater quality. Elevated levels (well beyond the EPA drinking water standard) of nitrates have been found in private wells in the watershed, in the floodplain terrace of the Wisconsin River. A portion of the watershed, also within the floodplain terrace, has been designated an Atrazine Prohibition Area. Elevated levels of atrazine, a herbicide used on corn, have also been found in some private wells, though continued testing indicates those levels may be declining. Sandy soils in the Wisconsin River terraces are highly permeable, which allows contaminants to reach groundwater in some locations. Since groundwater is constantly moving toward streams, lakes and wetlands, the presence, or overuse, of contaminants is a cause of concern in the watershed.

Date 2010

Watershed Documents

Chain of Custody Record Watermilfoil ITS WIDNR CO 2021

Trout Stream Reclasification Proposal Bear Creek Watershed, Sauk Co, 9/29/20 Nye

Legal Notice Trout Classification Changes Bear Creek Watershed Sauk Co

Bear Creek, Bear Creek At CTH. JJ, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

2020 Comprehensive WQ Assessments

2017 Total Phosphorus Monitoring Report - Bear Creek Station 3 Cth N

2018 List of Healthy (Category 2) Waters

Final Draft 2018 Impaired Waters List

Final Assessment Data from TSI Package and Assessment Units 2018

Hill Slough East TP Calculations for Impairment Decision

Hill Slough West TP Calculation for Impairment Decision

August 2017 Photo WAV Total Phosphorus Monitoring

September 2017 Photo WAV Total Phosphorus Monitoring

Hill Slough West Photograph

Can Conservation Buffers Reduce Agricultural Sources of Nitrate Pollution and Restore Lower Wisconsin River Oxbow Lakes? [Draft]

August 2016 Photo WAV Total Phosphorus Monitoring

October 2016 Photo WAV Total Phosphorus Monitoring

Comprehensive 2018 River/Stream Water Quality Assessments

2016 Total Phosphorus Monitoring Report - Bear Creek at CTHJJ

Hill Slough East Plant Point Intercept Survey

Hill Slough West Plant Point Intercept Survey

Test Request - Inorganic Surface Water & Microbiology [ Station ID 10029027 - through 6/30/2016]

Test Request - Inorganic Surface Water & Microbiology [ Station ID 10042608 - through 6/30/2016]

Test Request - Inorganic Surface Water & Microbiology [Station ID 10029027 July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017]

Test Request - Inorganic Surface Water & Microbiology [Station ID 10029027 July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018]

Test Request - Inorganic Surface Water & Microbiology [Station ID 10042608 - 7/1/2017-6/30/2018]

Test Request - Inorganic Surface Water & Microbiology [Station ID 10042608, 7/1/2016-6/30/2017]

Test Request- Inorganic Surface Water & Microbiology [Station ID 10029027 - 7/1/2017-6/30/2018]

Test Request- Inorganic Surface Water & Microbiology [Station ID 10029027 through June 30, 2016]

Test Request- Inorganic Surface Water & Microbiology [Station ID 10029027, 7/1/2016-6/30/2017]

Hill Slough Plant Point Intercept Survey Map

Hill Slough, Sauk County - Aquatic Plant Sampling Map (1)(25 mpts)

Hill Slough, Sauk County - Aquatic Plant Sampling Map (2)(25 mpts)

Hill Slough, Sauk County - Aquatic Plant Sampling Map (25 mpts)

Hill Slough, Sauk County - Garmin Text File

Restoring Lower Wisconsin Riverway Oxbow Lakes

Jones Slough Plant Point Intercept Excel File

Norton Slough Point Intercept Excel Data File

Jones Slough phosphorus calcualtions excel file

Norton & Jones Sloughs Water Quality & Chemistry Excel Summary

Norton Slough phosphorus calculations excel file

Jones Slough Plant Point Intercept Map Excluding Invasives

Jones Slough Plant Point Intercept Map Including Invasives

Norton Slough Aquatic Plant Point Intercept Survey Excluding Invasives

Norton Slough Aquatic Plant Point Intercept Survey Map Including Invasives

Hill Slough East Photograph

AIS Early Detection2013 Data Form Richland Smith Lake 1236400

AIS Early Detection2014 Data Form Sauk-Richland Long Lake 1236600

Comprehensive 2016 Rivers Stream Assessments

Big Hollow Final Report

Lower Wisconsin River Floodplain Lakes Water Pollution Investigation Diagnostic and Feasibility Study Part 1 2013

Rivers TP Summary 2012

SCR Coolwater IBIs for 2012 Draft 303d Listing Corrections

Bear Creek Watershed (LW14) Goals and Priorities Image

Bear Creek Watershed Plan 2011 (LW14)

BLUE RIVER, BEAR CR, HONEY CR, LITTLE BEAR CR. SPECIAL PROJECT MONITORING PROPOSAL 2007

2007 New Eurasian Water-Milfoil Infestations

Lake Bathymetry Map for Long Lake

LAKE AND AIS GRANTS WEBSITE

Jones Slough, Wisconsin [1247300]

Jones Slough, Wisconsin [1247300] Algal Photo

Watershed Grants

Grant Details

Lake Protection Grant

Date

9/1/2001

Waters Involved

Devils Lake

Status

Complete

Friends Of Devil'S Lake State Park: Res-Of Devil'S Lake By Bottom Water Withdrawl: Friends of Devil's Lake State Park, Inc. will construct and begin operating a siphon pipe system for the purpose of withdrawing P-rich bottom water from Devil's Lake over approximately a 15-year period.

A full description of the project scope and project deliverables is available in the grant application, which is a part of this aggreement.

The DNR will be provided with both a paper copy and an electronic copy of the final report. Information will be disseminated to the public as described in the grant appllication.

Grant Details

Lake Protection Grant

Date

9/1/2009

Waters Involved

Devils Lake

Status

Complete

Friends Of Devil'S Lake State Park: Lmi-Devil'S Lake Bottom Withdrawal Pipe Alterations: The Friends of Devil's Lake State Park propose this project to reconstruct the siphon pipe system at Devil's Lake State Park, Sauk County, by lowering the portion of the siphon that is above the ordinary high water mark (OHWM) lake level so that the pipe will flow as a gravity feed flow system whenever the lake level is above the OHWM. This entails digging up about 900' of the pipe, and lowering the highest point. An additional butterfly flow valve will be installed to provide control of the pipe for safety and operational purposes. Deliverables of this project will be a brief final report documenting that the project was completed, including photos of the project during construction.

Special condition: The Sponsor agrees to abide by the "Conditions of Approval" contained in the Chapter 30 Regulated Activities manual code approval issued by the Department of Natural Resources on 6/6/06.

Grant Details

Lake Protection Grant

Date

9/1/2003

Waters Involved

Lake Wisconsin

Status

Complete

Town Of Merrimac: Acq-Clingman Property Land Acquisition: The Town of Merrimac will purchase the Clingman Property on Lake Wisconsin in the County of Sauk (approx. 15.1 acres). The Town of Merrimac will comply with the approved Regional Management Plan.

Grant Details

Large Scale Lake Planning

Date

10/1/2012

Waters Involved

Bakkens Pond

Status

Complete

River Alliance Of Wisconsin: Study Of Lwr Floodplain Lakes Sauk Co: The River Alliance of Wisconsin will monitor nine floodplain lakes associated with the Lower Wisconsin River to establish baseline nutrient information and help provide information needed to reduce threats to both human health and water quality of these lakes. The data will be compared with private drinking water data and estimated watershed inputs. The analysis will produce management strategies for reducing nutrient inputs to groundwater and lakes, set nutrient targets, and include sociological and educational components. Outreach efforts will include numerous partners, including a local citizens committee, River Alliance, DATCP, DNR, Sauk County, the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Board, Friends of the Lower Wisconsin River and the Town of Spring Green.

Grant Details

Large Scale Lake Planning

Date

4/1/2014

Waters Involved

Bakkens Pond

Status

Complete

River Alliance Of Wisconsin: Part 2b Diagnostic & Feasibility Study For Bakken Pond & Long Lake: The River Alliance of Wisconsin proposes to conduct a more detailed assessment of groundwater contaminants to Long Lake and Bakkens Pond, sloughs of the Wisconsin River in Sauk County. This assessment will complete a diagnostic and feasibility study for these waters, and will be used to evaluate optimum buffer locations and sizes, and possibly other management actions, to reduce nutrient loading to these sensitive waters. Groundwater monitoring wells will be installed and monitored, lake water quality sampling will be performed, and metaphyton cover will be estimated, along with other hydrological information. Fish populations will also be surveyed to assess status of rare, sensitive species. This project will conclude with a final floodplain lakes management and restoration plan. Citizen group meetings will be held in conjunction with Friends of the Lower Wisconsin Riverway, Lower Wisc. State Riverway Board, and Town meetings. The final report will also be shared with local news outlets.

Grant Details

Large Scale Lake Planning

Date

4/1/2010

Waters Involved

Castle Rock Ditch

Status

Complete

Lake Alice Association, Inc: Lake Alice Stewardship Program Phase Ii - Understanding The Biota Of Lake Alice: Lake Alice Association is sponsoring phased large scale lake planning grants to study Lake Alice, in Lincoln County. The project will focus on developing and updating an Adaptive Lake Management Plan (LMP) for Lake Alice. Phase 2 was funded in this grant cycle and Phases 3-5 will be submitted for funding starting in 2011.

Project activities for Phase 2 include: 1) Educational program, meetings and educational events with lake association and Tomahawk High School students, written educational materials, news releases, and website updates; 2) Point-intercept (PI) aquatic plant survey; 3) Aquatic plant community and substrate mapping; 4) Water quality assessment; 5) Volunteer amphibian monitoring and angler survey; 6) Update LMP.

Project deliverables include: 1) Educational materials and news releases; 2) Aquatic plant community and substrate maps; 3) PI, water quality, amphibian, and angler data; 4) LMP.

Specific conditions for this project: LMP needs Dept review and approval

WDNR Lakes Management Coordinator will be provided with an electronic (pdf or word) and hard copy of LMP, news releases, any other educational materials/products, all data, all maps from project, and all GIS data.

Grant Details

Large Scale Lake Planning

Date

4/1/2010

Waters Involved

Cruson Slough

Status

Complete

Lake Alice Association, Inc: Lake Alice Stewardship Program Phase Ii - Understanding The Biota Of Lake Alice: Lake Alice Association is sponsoring phased large scale lake planning grants to study Lake Alice, in Lincoln County. The project will focus on developing and updating an Adaptive Lake Management Plan (LMP) for Lake Alice. Phase 2 was funded in this grant cycle and Phases 3-5 will be submitted for funding starting in 2011.

Project activities for Phase 2 include: 1) Educational program, meetings and educational events with lake association and Tomahawk High School students, written educational materials, news releases, and website updates; 2) Point-intercept (PI) aquatic plant survey; 3) Aquatic plant community and substrate mapping; 4) Water quality assessment; 5) Volunteer amphibian monitoring and angler survey; 6) Update LMP.

Project deliverables include: 1) Educational materials and news releases; 2) Aquatic plant community and substrate maps; 3) PI, water quality, amphibian, and angler data; 4) LMP.

Specific conditions for this project: LMP needs Dept review and approval

WDNR Lakes Management Coordinator will be provided with an electronic (pdf or word) and hard copy of LMP, news releases, any other educational materials/products, all data, all maps from project, and all GIS data.

Grant Details

Large Scale Lake Planning

Date

10/1/2012

Waters Involved

Cynthia Slough

Status

Proposed

River Alliance Of Wisconsin: Study Of Lwr Floodplain Lakes Sauk Co: The River Alliance of Wisconsin will monitor nine floodplain lakes associated with the Lower Wisconsin River to establish baseline nutrient information and help provide information needed to reduce threats to both human health and water quality of these lakes. The data will be compared with private drinking water data and estimated watershed inputs. The analysis will produce management strategies for reducing nutrient inputs to groundwater and lakes, set nutrient targets, and include sociological and educational components. Outreach efforts will include numerous partners, including a local citizens committee, River Alliance, DATCP, DNR, Sauk County, the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Board, Friends of the Lower Wisconsin River and the Town of Spring Green.

Grant Details

Large Scale Lake Planning

Date

10/1/2012

Waters Involved

Hill Slough

Status

Proposed

River Alliance Of Wisconsin: Study Of Lwr Floodplain Lakes Sauk Co: The River Alliance of Wisconsin will monitor nine floodplain lakes associated with the Lower Wisconsin River to establish baseline nutrient information and help provide information needed to reduce threats to both human health and water quality of these lakes. The data will be compared with private drinking water data and estimated watershed inputs. The analysis will produce management strategies for reducing nutrient inputs to groundwater and lakes, set nutrient targets, and include sociological and educational components. Outreach efforts will include numerous partners, including a local citizens committee, River Alliance, DATCP, DNR, Sauk County, the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Board, Friends of the Lower Wisconsin River and the Town of Spring Green.

Grant Details

Large Scale Lake Planning

Date

10/1/2012

Waters Involved

Jones Slough

Status

Proposed

River Alliance Of Wisconsin: Study Of Lwr Floodplain Lakes Sauk Co: The River Alliance of Wisconsin will monitor nine floodplain lakes associated with the Lower Wisconsin River to establish baseline nutrient information and help provide information needed to reduce threats to both human health and water quality of these lakes. The data will be compared with private drinking water data and estimated watershed inputs. The analysis will produce management strategies for reducing nutrient inputs to groundwater and lakes, set nutrient targets, and include sociological and educational components. Outreach efforts will include numerous partners, including a local citizens committee, River Alliance, DATCP, DNR, Sauk County, the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Board, Friends of the Lower Wisconsin River and the Town of Spring Green.

Grant Details

Large Scale Lake Planning

Date

4/1/2014

Waters Involved

Jones Slough

Status

Complete

River Alliance Of Wisconsin: Part 2a Diagnostic & Feasibility Study Of Norton & Jones Sloughs: The River Alliance of Wisconsin proposes to conduct a more detailed assessment of groundwater contaminants to Norton and Jones Sloughs associated with the Wisconsin River in Sauk County. This assessment will complete a diagnostic and feasibility study for these waters, and will be used to evaluate optimum buffer locations and sizes, and possibly other management actions, to reduce nutrient loading to these sensitive waters. Groundwater monitoring wells will be installed and monitored, lake water quality sampling will be performed, and metaphyton cover will be estimated, along with other hydrological information. Fish populations will also be surveyed to assess status of rare, sensitive species. This project will conclude with a final floodplain lakes management and restoration plan. Citizen group meetings will be held in conjunction with Friends of the Lower Wisconsin Riverway, Lower Wisc. State Riverway Board, and Town meetings. The final report will also be shared with local news outlets.

Grant Details

Large Scale Lake Planning

Date

4/1/2010

Waters Involved

Lake Du Bay

Status

Complete

Lake Alice Association, Inc: Lake Alice Stewardship Program Phase Ii - Understanding The Biota Of Lake Alice: Lake Alice Association is sponsoring phased large scale lake planning grants to study Lake Alice, in Lincoln County. The project will focus on developing and updating an Adaptive Lake Management Plan (LMP) for Lake Alice. Phase 2 was funded in this grant cycle and Phases 3-5 will be submitted for funding starting in 2011.

Project activities for Phase 2 include: 1) Educational program, meetings and educational events with lake association and Tomahawk High School students, written educational materials, news releases, and website updates; 2) Point-intercept (PI) aquatic plant survey; 3) Aquatic plant community and substrate mapping; 4) Water quality assessment; 5) Volunteer amphibian monitoring and angler survey; 6) Update LMP.

Project deliverables include: 1) Educational materials and news releases; 2) Aquatic plant community and substrate maps; 3) PI, water quality, amphibian, and angler data; 4) LMP.

Specific conditions for this project: LMP needs Dept review and approval

WDNR Lakes Management Coordinator will be provided with an electronic (pdf or word) and hard copy of LMP, news releases, any other educational materials/products, all data, all maps from project, and all GIS data.

Grant Details

Large Scale Lake Planning

Date

4/1/2010

Waters Involved

Little Pine Creek

Status

Complete

Lake Alice Association, Inc: Lake Alice Stewardship Program Phase Ii - Understanding The Biota Of Lake Alice: Lake Alice Association is sponsoring phased large scale lake planning grants to study Lake Alice, in Lincoln County. The project will focus on developing and updating an Adaptive Lake Management Plan (LMP) for Lake Alice. Phase 2 was funded in this grant cycle and Phases 3-5 will be submitted for funding starting in 2011.

Project activities for Phase 2 include: 1) Educational program, meetings and educational events with lake association and Tomahawk High School students, written educational materials, news releases, and website updates; 2) Point-intercept (PI) aquatic plant survey; 3) Aquatic plant community and substrate mapping; 4) Water quality assessment; 5) Volunteer amphibian monitoring and angler survey; 6) Update LMP.

Project deliverables include: 1) Educational materials and news releases; 2) Aquatic plant community and substrate maps; 3) PI, water quality, amphibian, and angler data; 4) LMP.

Specific conditions for this project: LMP needs Dept review and approval

WDNR Lakes Management Coordinator will be provided with an electronic (pdf or word) and hard copy of LMP, news releases, any other educational materials/products, all data, all maps from project, and all GIS data.

Grant Details

Large Scale Lake Planning

Date

10/1/2012

Waters Involved

Norton Slough

Status

Proposed

River Alliance Of Wisconsin: Study Of Lwr Floodplain Lakes Sauk Co: The River Alliance of Wisconsin will monitor nine floodplain lakes associated with the Lower Wisconsin River to establish baseline nutrient information and help provide information needed to reduce threats to both human health and water quality of these lakes. The data will be compared with private drinking water data and estimated watershed inputs. The analysis will produce management strategies for reducing nutrient inputs to groundwater and lakes, set nutrient targets, and include sociological and educational components. Outreach efforts will include numerous partners, including a local citizens committee, River Alliance, DATCP, DNR, Sauk County, the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Board, Friends of the Lower Wisconsin River and the Town of Spring Green.

Grant Details

Large Scale Lake Planning

Date

4/1/2014

Waters Involved

Norton Slough

Status

Proposed

River Alliance Of Wisconsin: Part 2a Diagnostic & Feasibility Study Of Norton & Jones Sloughs: The River Alliance of Wisconsin proposes to conduct a more detailed assessment of groundwater contaminants to Norton and Jones Sloughs associated with the Wisconsin River in Sauk County. This assessment will complete a diagnostic and feasibility study for these waters, and will be used to evaluate optimum buffer locations and sizes, and possibly other management actions, to reduce nutrient loading to these sensitive waters. Groundwater monitoring wells will be installed and monitored, lake water quality sampling will be performed, and metaphyton cover will be estimated, along with other hydrological information. Fish populations will also be surveyed to assess status of rare, sensitive species. This project will conclude with a final floodplain lakes management and restoration plan. Citizen group meetings will be held in conjunction with Friends of the Lower Wisconsin Riverway, Lower Wisc. State Riverway Board, and Town meetings. The final report will also be shared with local news outlets.

Grant Details

Large Scale Lake Planning

Date

4/1/2010

Waters Involved

Unnamed

Status

Complete

Lake Alice Association, Inc: Lake Alice Stewardship Program Phase Ii - Understanding The Biota Of Lake Alice: Lake Alice Association is sponsoring phased large scale lake planning grants to study Lake Alice, in Lincoln County. The project will focus on developing and updating an Adaptive Lake Management Plan (LMP) for Lake Alice. Phase 2 was funded in this grant cycle and Phases 3-5 will be submitted for funding starting in 2011.

Project activities for Phase 2 include: 1) Educational program, meetings and educational events with lake association and Tomahawk High School students, written educational materials, news releases, and website updates; 2) Point-intercept (PI) aquatic plant survey; 3) Aquatic plant community and substrate mapping; 4) Water quality assessment; 5) Volunteer amphibian monitoring and angler survey; 6) Update LMP.

Project deliverables include: 1) Educational materials and news releases; 2) Aquatic plant community and substrate maps; 3) PI, water quality, amphibian, and angler data; 4) LMP.

Specific conditions for this project: LMP needs Dept review and approval

WDNR Lakes Management Coordinator will be provided with an electronic (pdf or word) and hard copy of LMP, news releases, any other educational materials/products, all data, all maps from project, and all GIS data.

Grant Details

Large Scale Lake Planning

Date

10/1/2012

Waters Involved

Unnamed

Status

Proposed

River Alliance Of Wisconsin: Study Of Lwr Floodplain Lakes Sauk Co: The River Alliance of Wisconsin will monitor nine floodplain lakes associated with the Lower Wisconsin River to establish baseline nutrient information and help provide information needed to reduce threats to both human health and water quality of these lakes. The data will be compared with private drinking water data and estimated watershed inputs. The analysis will produce management strategies for reducing nutrient inputs to groundwater and lakes, set nutrient targets, and include sociological and educational components. Outreach efforts will include numerous partners, including a local citizens committee, River Alliance, DATCP, DNR, Sauk County, the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Board, Friends of the Lower Wisconsin River and the Town of Spring Green.

Grant Details

Large Scale Lake Planning

Date

4/1/2014

Waters Involved

Unnamed

Status

Complete

River Alliance Of Wisconsin: Part 2a Diagnostic & Feasibility Study Of Norton & Jones Sloughs: The River Alliance of Wisconsin proposes to conduct a more detailed assessment of groundwater contaminants to Norton and Jones Sloughs associated with the Wisconsin River in Sauk County. This assessment will complete a diagnostic and feasibility study for these waters, and will be used to evaluate optimum buffer locations and sizes, and possibly other management actions, to reduce nutrient loading to these sensitive waters. Groundwater monitoring wells will be installed and monitored, lake water quality sampling will be performed, and metaphyton cover will be estimated, along with other hydrological information. Fish populations will also be surveyed to assess status of rare, sensitive species. This project will conclude with a final floodplain lakes management and restoration plan. Citizen group meetings will be held in conjunction with Friends of the Lower Wisconsin Riverway, Lower Wisc. State Riverway Board, and Town meetings. The final report will also be shared with local news outlets.

Grant Details

Large Scale Lake Planning

Date

4/1/2014

Waters Involved

Unnamed

Status

Proposed

River Alliance Of Wisconsin: Part 2a Diagnostic & Feasibility Study Of Norton & Jones Sloughs: The River Alliance of Wisconsin proposes to conduct a more detailed assessment of groundwater contaminants to Norton and Jones Sloughs associated with the Wisconsin River in Sauk County. This assessment will complete a diagnostic and feasibility study for these waters, and will be used to evaluate optimum buffer locations and sizes, and possibly other management actions, to reduce nutrient loading to these sensitive waters. Groundwater monitoring wells will be installed and monitored, lake water quality sampling will be performed, and metaphyton cover will be estimated, along with other hydrological information. Fish populations will also be surveyed to assess status of rare, sensitive species. This project will conclude with a final floodplain lakes management and restoration plan. Citizen group meetings will be held in conjunction with Friends of the Lower Wisconsin Riverway, Lower Wisc. State Riverway Board, and Town meetings. The final report will also be shared with local news outlets.

Grant Details

Large Scale Lake Planning

Date

4/1/2010

Waters Involved

Wisconsin River

Status

Complete

Lake Alice Association, Inc: Lake Alice Stewardship Program Phase Ii - Understanding The Biota Of Lake Alice: Lake Alice Association is sponsoring phased large scale lake planning grants to study Lake Alice, in Lincoln County. The project will focus on developing and updating an Adaptive Lake Management Plan (LMP) for Lake Alice. Phase 2 was funded in this grant cycle and Phases 3-5 will be submitted for funding starting in 2011.

Project activities for Phase 2 include: 1) Educational program, meetings and educational events with lake association and Tomahawk High School students, written educational materials, news releases, and website updates; 2) Point-intercept (PI) aquatic plant survey; 3) Aquatic plant community and substrate mapping; 4) Water quality assessment; 5) Volunteer amphibian monitoring and angler survey; 6) Update LMP.

Project deliverables include: 1) Educational materials and news releases; 2) Aquatic plant community and substrate maps; 3) PI, water quality, amphibian, and angler data; 4) LMP.

Specific conditions for this project: LMP needs Dept review and approval

WDNR Lakes Management Coordinator will be provided with an electronic (pdf or word) and hard copy of LMP, news releases, any other educational materials/products, all data, all maps from project, and all GIS data.

Grant Details

River Planning Grant

Date

3/15/2023

Waters Involved

Unnamed

Status

Complete

Friends Of The Lower Wi Riverway (Flow): Swe - Lower Wisconsin River Basin Symposium: Friends of the Lower Wisconsin Riverway (FLOW) is sponsoring a project to hold a Lower Wisconsin River Basin Symposium in 2023.

Project final deliverables include:

Press releases and articles about the event will be copied for inclusion in the final report. The meeting agenda and program will be included, along with a list of land/watershed conservation organizations. A final symposium report will include information on symposium attendance, attendee survey rating responses and comments on the success or limitations of the symposium. The report will also include a compilation of presentations summaries/abstracts. Photographs of the event will be delivered with the final report and include file names and attribution information.

Specific project activities include:

FLOW will plan a one day educational symposium in fall of 2023, to include technical - scientific presentations and citizen - organization watershed restoration and aquatic monitoring presentations. To give greater understanding of the connection between land and water quality, land/waterway restoration strategies for wetland and water quality improvement, and inform people about the unique biological, physical and cultural features of the LWR Basin. A web page will promote the event and invitations will be sent to NGO's, NRCS and LWCD in the basin.

This scope summarizes the project detail provided in the application and does not negate tasks/deliverables described therein. Data, records, and reports, including GIS-based maps, and digital images, must be submitted to the Department in a format specified by the regional Stream Biologist.

Grant Details

River Planning Grant

Date

7/1/2007

Waters Involved

Wisconsin River

Status

In_Progress

Lower Wisconsin River Floodplain Fish & Wq Monitoring

Grant Details

River Planning Grant

Date

3/15/2023

Waters Involved

Wisconsin River

Status

Complete

Friends Of The Lower Wi Riverway (Flow): Swe - Lower Wisconsin River Basin Symposium: Friends of the Lower Wisconsin Riverway (FLOW) is sponsoring a project to hold a Lower Wisconsin River Basin Symposium in 2023.

Project final deliverables include:

Press releases and articles about the event will be copied for inclusion in the final report. The meeting agenda and program will be included, along with a list of land/watershed conservation organizations. A final symposium report will include information on symposium attendance, attendee survey rating responses and comments on the success or limitations of the symposium. The report will also include a compilation of presentations summaries/abstracts. Photographs of the event will be delivered with the final report and include file names and attribution information.

Specific project activities include:

FLOW will plan a one day educational symposium in fall of 2023, to include technical - scientific presentations and citizen - organization watershed restoration and aquatic monitoring presentations. To give greater understanding of the connection between land and water quality, land/waterway restoration strategies for wetland and water quality improvement, and inform people about the unique biological, physical and cultural features of the LWR Basin. A web page will promote the event and invitations will be sent to NGO's, NRCS and LWCD in the basin.

This scope summarizes the project detail provided in the application and does not negate tasks/deliverables described therein. Data, records, and reports, including GIS-based maps, and digital images, must be submitted to the Department in a format specified by the regional Stream Biologist.

Monitoring & Projects

Projects including grants, restoration work and studies shown below have occurred in this watershed. Click the links below to read through the text. While these are not an exhaustive list of activities, they provide insight into the management activities happening in this watershed.

Monitoring Studies

Fisheries monitoring projects in the watershed include a wide variety of baseline monitoring and targeted fieldwork to gain specific knowledge related to Wisconsins fish communities. This work has been conducted on Bakkens Pond, Bear Creek, Little Bear Creek, Long Lake, Marble Creek, Norton Slough, and Wilson Creek.

Date 2010

Grants and Management Projects

Project Name (Click for Details)	Year Awarded
RICHLAND COUNTY: Survey of Lower WI River Floodplain Lakes- Richland County	2010
RIVER ALLIANCE OF WISCONSIN: Study of LWR Floodplain Lakes Sauk Co	2012
Little Bear Creek (1234700) 303(d) Evaluation	2008
Little Bear, Bear Creek 303 evaluation	2007
SAUK COUNTY: Flood Repair - Otter Creek Restoration	2019
Aquatic Invasives County Coordinator - Waukesha County	2011
Aquatic Invasives County Coordinator - Richland County	2011
TOWN OF MERRIMAC: ACQ-Clingman Property Land Acquisition	2003
Pleasant and Kittleson Valley SP-12 Project	2013
ARRA 13 Sauk Co. LCD Dept. Clark Creek Grant 2P-00E73201	2009
LAKE ALICE ASSOCIATION, INC: Lake Alice Stewardship Program Phase II - Understanding the Biota of Lake Alice	2010
RICHLAND COUNTY: LCO-Richland County Shoreland Ordinance Revision Project	2010
SAUK COUNTY LAND CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT: Survey of Lower WI Riverway Floodplain Lakes	2008
SAUK COUNTY: Flood Repair - Otter Creek Watershed Practices	2019
Lower Wisconsin River Floodplain Fish & WQ Monitoring	2007
SAUK COUNTY: Otter Creek Restoration	2013
Aquatic Invasives County Coordinator - Sauk County	2011
SAUK COUNTY: LCO-Sauk County Shoreland Ordinance Revision Project	2010
RIVER ALLIANCE OF WISCONSIN: Part 2B Diagnostic & Feasibility Study for Bakken Pond & Long Lake	2014
Indian Creek Watershed Study Continuation	2014
Silver Creek 303 d Evaluation Continuation	2012
Otter Creek 1237100 TMDL	2006
Aquatic Invasives County Coordinator - Iowa County	2011
RIVER ALLIANCE OF WISCONSIN: Part 2A Diagnostic & Feasibility Study of Norton & Jones Sloughs	2014
RICHLAND COUNTY: Melancthon Creek	2007
Mill & Furnace Creeks Listing	2006
FRIENDS OF THE LOWER WI RIVERWAY (FLOW): SWE - Lower Wisconsin River Basin Symposium	2023
Fish Propagation Actions	2001
Bear Creek (LW14) Watershed Planning	2009
IOWA COUNTY: LCO-Iowa County Shoreland Ordinance Revision Project	2010
FRIENDS OF DEVIL'S LAKE STATE PARK: LMI-Devil's Lake Bottom Withdrawal Pipe Alterations	2009
FRIENDS OF DEVIL'S LAKE STATE PARK: RES-of Devil's Lake by Bottom Water Withdrawl	2001
Otter Creek (1237100) TMDL	2016
RICHLAND COUNTY: Ash Creek Dairy Feed Leachate Collection	2015
RICHLAND COUNTY: Little Willow Creek TMDL L-S	2014

Goals

9/22/2010

Protect high quality cold, warm and cool water streams and improve conditions in those not meeting designated uses. Restore and protect sloughs, backwaters, and tribuary streams to the Wisconsin River. Create/ build upon cooperative partnerships and projects to improve the condition of Little Bear and Bear Creek. Fund cooperative projects for stream restoration including buffers, hydrology and stream morphology.

Priorities

9/22/2010

Identify, restore and preserve high quality fisheries in the watershed. Protect riverine habitat especially in sloughs and backwaters of the Wisconsin River. Protect ORW/ ERW waters and trout waters. Restore stream habitat, hydrology and morphology throughout the watershed to recover from damage incurred in the 2008 fl ooding events. Conduct monitoring to sufficiently understand and abate water quality standards impairments in the watershed. Set priorities for Little Bear Creek restoration work to eventually remove the water from the impaired waters list.

Watershed Recommendations

Aquatic Plant Monitoring or Survey

Date

Status

Two Strategies, one for IR data rollout , the other for Watershed Planning Meetings in the spring.

7/1/2009

Verify

Easement/Buffer

Date

Status

Land should be acquired or easements purchased from willing buyers along the Bear and Little Bear Creeks to aid in habitat improvement work.

10/6/2010

Proposed

Habitat Restoration - Instream

Date

Status

Cooperate with Aldo Leopold and Ocooch Chapters of Trout Unlimited, Richland and Sauk County LCD and NRCS and other partners to improve fish and stream bank habitat in Bear and Little Bear Creeks and other tributaries through TRM, Stream Protection and TMDL Implementation grants.

10/6/2010

Proposed

Monitor Baseline Survey

Date

Status

Monitor Biser Creek, Croal Creek, Four Springs Hollow Creek, Marble Creek, McCarville Creek and Pumpkin Hollow Creek to determine the stream condition.

10/6/2010

Proposed

Monitor Targeted Area

Date

Status

Monitor sloughs more closely to help determine cause of nutrient loads, excessive filamentous algae growth, and levels of nitrates.

10/6/2010

Proposed

Monitor Targeted Area

Date

Status

Monitor temperature to assess impacts of ponds in the headwaters of Little Bear Creek.

10/6/2010

Proposed

Monitor Targeted Area

Date

Status

Continue long term trends water quality monitoring of the Wisconsin River at the Muscoda monitoring station.

10/6/2010

Proposed

Monitor Targeted Area

Date

Status

Stream assessment monitoring for fish, aquatic insects and habitat should be completed on Croal Creek, Four Springs Hollow Creek, Pumpkin Hollow Creek, and an unnamed tributary stream to Marble Creek. This assessment would help determine whether they are meeting their cold water classification, and to rate the condition of each stream. Other unnamed and not classified streams may be assessed as time and resources allow.

10/6/2010

Proposed

Monitor Targeted Area

Date

Status

A stream condition assessment should be conducted on Little Bear Creek to determine if any management actions could help improve the instream habitat.

1/1/2010

Verify

Monitor Water Quality or Sediment

Monitor Bear Creek for Temperature

Date

Status

New listing based on new data. Temperature listing based on 2016 exceedances. Earlier data, specifically 2014, appears to have errors. Based on biologist experience: Bear Cr. was restored during August-Oct., which could greatly skew the TP results while work was being done. Further monitoring recommended.

8/21/2019

Proposed

Restore Hydrology, Morphology

Date

Status

Encourage projects that restore stream meandering of Little Bear Creek.

10/6/2010

Proposed

Restore Wetlands

Date

Status

Reduce reed canary infestations in wet meadows and forested wetlands using wetland restoration best management practices.

10/6/2010

Proposed

Restore Wetlands

Date

Status

Restore filled, ditched and drained wetlands along Bear Creek and its tributaries through WRP and EQIP programs offered by Richland and Sauk County NRCS and by other cost-sharing programs such as CREP, US Fish & Wildlife Services Partners for Fish and Wildlife program and easements.

10/6/2010

Proposed

Rivers Management Grant

Date

Status

Funding for stream restoration projects could also be obtained from the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP), and State Targeted Runoff Management (TRM) grants.

10/6/2010

Proposed

Runoff Grant

Date

Status

Reduce agricultural runoff and nutrient loads to Bear Creek, Biser Creek, Little Bear Creek, Marble Creek, McCarville Creek and Wilson Creek through use of Targeted Runoff Management (TRM) and other grants in cooperation with Sauk and Richland Counties.

10/6/2010

Proposed

TMDL Implementation

Otter Creek (1237100) TMDL

Date

Status

Otter Creek is impaired due to degraded habitat because of excessive sediment loading from surrounding agricultural lands to the Creek. Otter Creek is currently not meeting the applicable narrative water quality standard (WQS) that prohibits objectionable deposits on the shore or in the bed of a water in amounts that interfere with public rights in the water. To address the degraded habitat impairments, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) determined that sediment, specifically TSS, is the pollutant that must be addressed to attain designated uses and meet WQS.

9/22/2012

In Progress

Projects

Otter Creek (1237100) TMDL

Documents

Otter Creek 1237100 TMDL

USEPA Decision Document for the Approval of the Otter Creek TMDL 1237100 36267 - 331

TMDL Monitoring

Bear Creek TMDL

Date

Status

Propose Bear Creek for TMDL monitoring.

10/6/2010

Proposed

Trout Classification Mgmt

Date

Status

Biser Creek should be reclassified from a Class II trout stream to a Class I.

10/6/2010

Proposed

Trout Classification Mgmt

Date

Status

Develop Fish Management Plan to improve Marble Creek from a Class II to a Class I trout stream.

10/6/2010

Proposed

Trout Classification Mgmt

Date

Status

Increase the trout stream mileage in the Sauk County portion of Bear Creek.

10/6/2010

Proposed

Water Plans and PartnershipsRead the Watershed Plan

A watershed plan has been updated for this watershed in 2010 and is now available for review.

Date 2010

Watershed History Note

The Village of Lone Rock is located within the Bear Creek watershed in Richland County. Lone Rock is so named because, at one time, a massive piece of sandstone stood a short distance from the north bank of the Wisconsin River. The rock became a landmark for early river raftsmen. Over time the rock was cut and used for basements and foundations in the village. What is left of the rock is located west of Highway 130 across from Brace Park. The community was founded in 1856 and during the Civil War, the 6th Wisconsin Battery was organized by Henry Dillon of Lone Rock, who was afterwards elected as captain. Most of the recruits came from Richland County, though there were some from adjoining counties. It was the first battery to receive its full quota of men and should have been numbered the 1st instead of the 6th. The Battery left Lone Rock on September 30th, 1861, going to Camp Utley at Racine where it remained until March 1862, when it was sent south, taking part in many fierce battles, including Vicksburg, Jackson, Corinth and Mission Ridge. Today a bronze monument in Battery Park commemorates these men and their sacrifices.

Date 2010