How To Use The Stream Tables

The following information is included in the stream table for each watershed.

Name of Stream: All named streams and some unnamed streams are listed. Stream names are those found on U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) quadrangle maps unless the Wisconsin Geographic Names Council established a different name. Unnamed streams are identified by location of the stream mouth as indicated by township, range, section and quarter-quarter section.

Length: Stream length is the total length of the stream based on the Master Waterbody List. Reach lengths may be based on a variety of sources including codes and topographical maps. The stream mile at the stream mouth is zero (A0@) and increases as one moves upstream. Where a stream is not listed on the Master Waterbody List, its length may be determined via topographic maps or the Surface Water Inventory.

Existing Use: This column indicates the existing biological use supported by the stream as defined in NR 102(04)(3) under fish and aquatic life uses. If the existing use is unknown, it is listed as ``unknown,'' indicating the existing use is unassessed. The following abbreviations for stream uses are used in the tables:

The table also includes the class of trout streams based on isconsin Trout Stream [DNR Publ. 6-3600(80)] and Outstanding/Exceptional Resource Waters, Wisconsin Administrative Code NR 102.10 and NR 102.11.

Potential Use: This column indicates the biological use, and trout stream class, a stream or stream segment could achieve if well managed and pollution sources were controlled. In many cases potential use is the same as the existing use classification. In other streams potential use may be higher than the existing use. Abbreviations are the same as those used in the existing use columns. The sources of information are indicated by corresponding references notated by number; the classification for trout streams came from Wisconsin Trout Stream [DNR Publ. 6-3600(80)], Wisconsin Administrative Code NR 102.10 and NR 102.11 and the professional judgments of area Fish Managers. If the potential biological use is unknown, "unknown" indicates the potential biological use is unassessed.

Supporting Potential Use: This column indicates whether a stream is threatened, or is fully, partially, or not meeting its potential biological use, or if use attainment is unknown. This establishes the relationship between actual stream use and potential use. For example, if the entire length of a stream is listed under the "Fully" column, the stream has no problems that can be controlled. When a portion or all of a stream length is listed as partially, not or threatened, the stream is affected or threatened by some manageable factor and the biological use of the stream can probably be improved. If use support is unknown, "unknown" indicates it is unassessed. A stream's use support may be unknown, but also threatened if conditions such as the presence of exotic species in the watershed or land use activities along the stream could potentially pose a present or future problem even if water sampling has not been conducted.

Assessment Category/Monitored or Evaluated: It is important to detail what information was used to derive a potential biological use designation and the degree to which a stream meets that potential use. If the potential use decision was based upon site-specific data, then AM, for monitored, is entered. If the decision is based on information other than site-specific data (citizen complaints, best professional judgment of a biologist or fish manager) then AE, for evaluated, is entered. Evaluated includes decisions based on data more than five years old.

Stream Classification (water quality standard designation): This column indicates the formal stream classification of a particular stream. All state waters are classified as one of the following:

Use Problems, Source/Impact: These columns indicates the probable sources of pollution in the stream and the types of water quality problems present (impact). Some streams shown as fully meeting potential use may still show up in this column as having a use problem. When this occurs it may mean there is a problem but it cannot be managed for some reason, or there is a potential threat to the use but water quality data either has not demonstrated degradation, or data has not been collected. These situations are explained in the narrative or in the references. Additionally, if a stream is threatened the source and probably impact are listed in these two columns.

Following is a key to the abbreviations in the watershed tables:

Source (cause of problem)

Impact (effect or impact of source on a stream)

Comments: If marked with an AN,@ this column indicates a narrative exists for this waterbody. If marked with an AR,@ monitoring or management recommendations have been made for the waterbody. This column also lists if the waterbody was ranked for nonpoint source priority watershed selection or if it has been identified as critical habitat or as an aquatic priority site for protection. See the footnotes beneath the table for other abbreviations.

References: The reference material used to complete the table and any narrative or recommendation for each stream is indicated by a number that corresponds with the numbers on the list of references.