Reports

2009 Monitoring Projects

Project No.	Region	Project Title	Purpose of the Project	Project Description
NOR02_10	NOR	NOR02_10 Becky Creek Assessment	Since Becky Creek is on the 303d list, we need to either restore the lower reach of Becky Creek to a coldwater stream or determine that it does not have the natural ability to acheive this state. Pasturing of the impaired segment has been eliminated but redevelopment of a narrowed channel for low flow conditions is needed. Channel observations over time will indicate if this can be naturally acheived or if additional measures are needed.	The lower reach of Becky Creek is on the impairecd waters 303d list; it is currently a WWFF stream with the potential to be a coldwater stream. Extensive pasturing of the stream over many years is the primary problem. Pasturing and floodwater transport of gravel has obliterated the former stream channel. There is also uncertainty about the natural capability of the lower end of the stream to support a coldwater community. Assessment will include: - establishment of 3-4 reference point to allow photographic documentation of channel re-development 2+ times per year in the impaired channel segment - thermistor deployment at 2 sites in the stream above and below the impaired channel segment - fish surveys above and below the impaired channel segment - a one time summer survey of streamflow and water temperature at multiple points along the stream -macroinvertebrate samples above and below the impaired channel segment
NOR20_10	NOR	NOR20_10 2009 St. Louis River Estuary of Lake Superior (WBIC- 2751220)		Conduct an aquatic vegetation assessment.
SER4_10	SER	SER4_10 Otter Creek Watershed Appraisal	Best management practices were implemented within the watershed between 2005 and 2008. Pre and post water quality monitoring indicate that bacteria levels have not improved enough to remove Otter Creek from the impaired waters list. A watershed appraisal will help determine what additional BMPs may be needed to improve water quality.	A watershed appraisal will be conducted for Otter Creek in Sheboygan County.to help identify management actions needed to restore the water and remove it from the impaired waters 303d list.
SCR04_10	SCR	SCR04_10 (SP12 monitoring of German Valley and Pleasant Valley)	In accordance with the SP-12 measure, determine if water quality and biotic conditions of these two streams has improved to the point where they are now meeting their attainable use as cold water resources and can be removed from the 303(d) list. Project Outcome Eight sites on German Valley and four sites on Pleasant Valley will be monitored for fisheries assemblage and habitat. Sample collection will be completed by fall, 2009. Fish and habitat data will be entered into the FH database by December, 2009. Macroinvertebrate data will be entered as soon as available. Reports will be completed during winter, 2009/10.	Monitoring of these two streams will take place in order to comply with the EPA SP-12 measure to show improved water quality conditions. Each stream has had major rehabilitation of the watershed and stream corridor. This monitoring will determine whether of not these streams are meeting their natural attainable use and can subsequently be removed from the state's list of impaired waters. Fish IBI, macroinvertebrate IBI/HBI, and habitat measurements will be collected at several sites on each stream and compared with pre-rehabilitation data. Region staff will collect samples during the sampling season in the calendar year 2009. This is a continuation of monitoring started in 2008.
CO3_10	CO - NER	Neenah Slough sampling at Neenah Outfalls		Sediment and water sampling at neenah slough (303d listed for metals and pcb sediment impairments) stormwater outfalls to identify source of heavy metals comtamination. when: Sampling to take place in July. where: two stormwater outfalls identified by City of Neenah as possibly having same source of contaminants. how: follow Dept. protocols for water and sediment sampling .
NER1_10	NER	NER Streams 303d Project	Eight waters will be monitored to determine if they should be listed, de-listed, or updated on the 303(d) list.	This is the NER project to identify, validate, and improve the 303(d) Impaired Waters List for streams. Monitoring will be conducted to gain information to list, de-list, or obtain current information on existing streams on the 303(d) list.
NOR14_10	NOR	NOR14_10 Deer Tail Creek Impairment Assessment		Deer Tail Creek in Rusk Co. is impacted by both non-point and point sources. A summer redhorse kill was observed in 2007. Fisheries staff noted a manure odor to the water, dead mussels, and a high incidence of fish tumors/lesions in 2008. The assessment w
NOR19_10	NOR	NOR19_10 303(d) Evaluation of the Nemadji River watershed and Bluff and Bear Creeks in the Lake Superior Basin, Douglas County, Wisconsin.		This project will evaluate Lake Superior Basin streams located in Douglas County for inclusion on the states 303(d) list. Professional judgement and past monitoring indicate possible impairments. The streams included in this proposal are the Nemadji River
NOR22_10	NOR	NOR22_10 - Springbrook Creek 303 (d) Monitoring
SCR05_10A	SCR	SCR05_10 (Identification and Validation of 303(d) Impaired Waters in the GPSP basin)		Several waters which are currently listed on the state's list of impaired waters have not had data collected in many years. This project will look at fish, macroinvertebrates, and water chemistry (where relevant) to determine these streams status and whet
SER2_10	SER	SER2_10 (Spring Creek Biological Community Assessment)		A fish community assessment will be conducted at three sampling sites on Spring Creek, and one reference site. A macroinvertebrate kick sample will be collected from each sampling site and the reference site. Quantitative habitat assessments will be condu
WCR05_10	WCR	WCR05_10 Big Eau Plaine 303(d) Monitoring		The project will consist of mulit-phased intensive sampling effort that utilizes an already developed partnership between, WDNR, Wisconsin Valley Improvement Company (WVIC) and a Citizen Based Monitor (CBM). WDNR will be responsible for obtaining roughly
WCR07_10	WCR	WCR07_10 (WCR Regional 303d Stream Monitoring)		Project Description: WCR is submitting one 303d stream special project to evaluate 43 streams sites in the Region. Some streams are currently on the 303d list and other streams that are considered potential 303d candidates. Each Basin Biologist will work
NER6_10	NER	NER6_10 - Upper Fox River Basin TMDL Monitoring		2nd year of monitoring for the Upper Fox Basin TMDL NER biologists and CO SWAT will collect water samples from the Fox River, Puchyan River, Fon du Lac River, Montello River, Waukau Creek, Lake Poygan, Lake Winneconne, Lake Butte des Morts, and Lake W
NER8_10	NER	Park Lake - Retain Consultant to Model Existing Water Quality Data for TMDL Development		Retain a consultant to utilize existing water quality data to create a lake model of Park Lake. This model would aid in establishing nutrient reduction target levels necessary to create a TMDL.
SCR08_10	SCR	SCR08_10 Wisconsin Buffer Initiative sediment source monitoring [continuation]		Determine sediment sources (upland vs channel) in the Kittleson and Pleasant Valley catchments and how application of the buffer initiative concepts will affect stream valley form.
WCR04_10	WCR	WCR04_10 Springville Branch (WBIC 1642200) and Viroqua WWTP Study		The city of Viroqua operates a 0.600 MGD wastewater treatment facility that discharges to the Springville Branch of the Bad Axe River. The wastewater effluent flows over karstic rock for approximately 2.75 miles above the Springville spring. Abovethe Spri
NOR09_10	NOR	NOR09_10 Totogatic River Monitoring for Wild River rule implementation		Survey the length of the Totogatic River to determine implications of the proposed Wild River designation. This designation requires passage of a bill to add the river to the state Wild River list in Chapter 30.26. This legislation was introduced in the S
NOR16_10	NOR	NOR16_10 Flambeau River Flowage Sediment Monitoring		Sediment testing of the Flambeau River Flowages downstream from Park Falls in 1989 found high concentrations of mercury and heavy metals present. Twenty years have passed since this was done. In recent years the Flambeau Mine near Ladysmith has been opera
SCR02_10	SCR	SCR02_10 (Black Earth Creek Monitoring Project)		Black Earth Creek experienced a major fish kill in 2001. Following the kill, the trout population rebounded, but then has been declining during the last couple years to about half of it's peak density. Managers supect periodic fish kills due to manure run
SCR07_10	SCR	SCR07_10 (Little Platte River Watershed Assessment) (POTENTIAL 303D)		Monitor the contemporary status of streams within the Little Platte Watershed as well as evaluate the overall health of the watershed. The department lacks current fish and macroinvertebrate data for streams within this watershed. This data is necessary t
NOR01_10	NOR	NOR01_10 North Breeze Dairy - Pine Ck. trib.		A 4,000 cow CAFO is proposed for Taylor County alongside a tributary of Pine Creek. An evaluation of the site prior to CAFO placement is needed to allow determination of future changes. Familiarity with the site might also allow input prior to and during

Contact

For more information contact:

Lisa Helmuth
Watershed Management

Last Revised: Monday May 25 2009