Tyler Forks Watershed (LS13)

Table of Streams of the Tyler Forks Watershed (LS13)

All the named streams in this watershed support trout populations, primarily brook trout. Most are small and flashy, subject to siltation and beaver activity. This management boundaries of this watershed have been slightly reconfigured since the last plan. The Bad River reach is no longer treated as part of this watershed and have been included within the boundaries of the Upper and Lower Bad River watersheds. This watershed's management boundaries now only include Tyler Forks and its tributaries. Much of the land is in county ownership and there are no WPDES-permitted discharges in the watershed. We have little data on any of the streams in this watershed.

Resources of Concern (LS13)

WDNR's Natural Heritage Inventory Database indicates that the following water-dependent endangered, threatened or special concern species and/or communities have been sighted in this watershed within the last 20 years. In addition, a coastal wetlands evaluation conducted in 1995 and 1996 identified a number of species and habitats described in a comprehensive report, Wisconsin's Lake Superior Coastal Wetlands Evaluation / Including Other Selected Natural Features of the Lake Superior Basin (Epstein 1997). This report is largely excerpted here.

Note: The lack of rare elements listed here does not signify a lack of rare elements in the watershed. They have merely gone unreported in the Natural Heritage Inventory Database.

Recommendations

1. Regional watershed management should conduct monitoring on Tyler Forks and Feldcher Creek to assess the streams' condition (Type B).

Dunn Creek

This Class III trout stream is tributary to Javorsky Creek. During survey work conducted as part of the coastal wetlands evaluation no rare species of macroinvertebrate were found and overall taxa richness was low (0-4 species) (Epstein 1997). Aquatic plants were significant at the survey site.

Feldcher Creek

This small, brook trout, spring-fed feeder to the Tyler Forks River is considered Class II trout waters. It is thought to provide a spawning area for trout from the Tyler Forks River.

During survey work conducted as part of the coastal wetlands evaluation one rare species of macroinvertebrate was found and overall taxa richness was moderate (5-24 species) (Epstein 1997). Livestock, barnyards and cropland are potential pollutant sources.

Gehrman Creek

This short stream is considered a Class II trout fishery. It flows partly through pastured upland hardwood before entering the Tyler Forks River a little more than a mile above its confluence with the Bad River, a reach of Tyler Forks considered an exceptional resource water. Past stream surveys showed an abundance of small brook trout. The stream provides a spawning area for the Tyler Forks River. Although extreme fluctuations occur in water levels, they have not harmed fish habitat. Migratory ducks use the creek.

During survey work conducted as part of the coastal wetlands evaluation one rare species of macroinvertebrate was found and overall taxa richness was moderate (5-24 species) (Epstein 1997).

Javorsky Creek

This Class I trout stream, which originates from wetlands and drainage south of Highway 77 and a rail corridor, supports brook trout, dace, chubs and mudminnows. The stream has been designated an exceptional resource water. The watershed is largely wooded.

During survey work conducted as part of the coastal wetlands evaluation no rare species of macroinvertebrate were found and overall taxa richness was moderate (5-24 species) (Epstein 1997).

LeClairs Creek

This tributary to Shine Creek is considered a Class I trout stream and has been designated an exceptional resource water. According to Surface Waters of Iron County, the stream flows through private lands that have been in the forest cropland program.

Rouse Creek

This tributary to Erickson Creek is considered a Class III trout stream. Surveys in the 1960s found stickleback and determined trout may be present. Flow may be a problem.

During survey work conducted as part of the coastal wetlands evaluation no rare species of macroinvertebrate was found and overall taxa richness was moderate (5-24 species) (Epstein 1997). Filamentous algae was present at the survey site.

Scott-Taylor Creek

This small, but good-quality Class II trout stream flows into the Tyler Forks River adjacent Copper Falls State Park. Surveys in the 1960s found half of the streambanks pastured.

During survey work conducted as part of the coastal wetlands evaluation one rare species of macroinvertebrate was found and overall taxa richness was low (0-4 species) (Epstein 1997).

Shine Creek

This creek flowing from Shine Lake, is joined by LeClairs Creek, before meeting Tyler Forks at the outlet of O'Brien Lake. On some maps, Shine Creek is identified as the Tyler Forks River. This stream is considered Class II and Class III trout waters. According to Surface Waters of Iron County, the stream flows through largely wooded lands that are in private ownership and enrolled in the forest cropland program. Beaver activity has provided ponds that provide resting stops or nesting sites for waterfowl.

Tyler Forks River

This river flows some 36 miles before emptying into the Bad River in Ashland County at Copper Falls State Park. The entire river is considered trout water, with a one-mile section near the confluence with Gehrman Creek designated exceptional resource waters for supporting a Class I trout fishery. Brook and brown trout are considered common, with an occasional rainbow trout. Brownstone Falls near the river's mouth presents a barrier to migratory fish from Lake Superior. A variety of bottom types occur in the river, from unstable sand to bedrock and rubble near the falls. Deep pool areas and long shallow riffles provide good habitat as the river passes through upland hardwood. The stream supports beaver, muskrat and migratory waterfowl.

This river experiences variable flow rates, with low flows a problem, particularly downstream from Highway 77 where some temperatures were measured in the past in ranges close to the lethal point for trout. The river forms at the confluence of Shine Creek, which flows from Shine Lake, and the O'Brien Lake outlet.

During survey work conducted as part of the coastal wetlands evaluation two rare species of macroinvertebrate were found and overall taxa richness was moderate (5-24 species) (Epstein 1997). Iron bacteria and aquatic plants were noted at an Iron County site. Livestock, barnyards and cropland were considered pollutant threats in the Ashland County portion of the river.