River and Stream Narratives of the Upper Chippewa Basin

Below are narrative descriptions for waters for which we have a description on file. Not all waters in the basin are listed below.

Main Creek, 1996

Main Creek is a low to moderate gradient, warm water stream subject to extreme flow variations. Common fish species iound in the stream include northern pike, rock bass, and various rough fish. The stream originates at the confluence of its Middle and North Forks, and then flows southwest to the Holcombe Flowage on the Chippewa River. The upper reaches of Main Creek flow through predominately forested land, while agricultural land is common along the lower sections. Pasture and cropland account for about half of the land usage bordering the stream. Long stretches of the stream experience heavy sediment deposition. Holcombe Lake is an upper reach of the Holcombe Flowage and receives the inflow from both Main Creek and the Jump River. Monitoring of Holcombe Lake has identified highly eutrophic conditions, which indicate high nutrient loading from these streams. The village of Conrath wastewater treatment plant discharges to Main Creek.

Skunk Creek, 1996

This 1 1-mile-long stream supports a warm water forage fishery. Numerous flowage meadows are present along the stream due to former beaver impoundments. Streambank pasturing has caused severe habitat degradation due to bank destruction, channel widening, and heavy deposition. Pasturing also contributes to stream turbidity. Barnyard runoff is a problem at some sites. Moderate to heavy algae growth is present.