Sauk and Sucker Creek 303 (d) Verification Monitoring SER 3_11
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Purpose

SER staff will conduct field monitoring on ten stream sites within the Sauk and Sucker Creek Watersheds. Fish community surveys will done at each site to determine IBI scores, qualitative habitat assessment will be done, and benthic macroinvertebrates will be collected with a kick net at each site to calculate the HBI for each of the ten sites. Instantaneous water quality parameters will be measured at each site to include water temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, pH, and transparency tube. Stream flow will also be measured at each site during fish and habitat surveys. Water chemistry will not be analyzed by the Department for this project, they are currently being collected as part of the watershed rotation monitoring effort.

Objective

Past monitoring suggest that portions of Sauk and Sucker Creeks may be candidates for the Impaired Waters List (303(d)). Nonpoint source runoff from rural areas and old stream channelization are prevalent within the two watersheds. Water quality and biological integrity of streams within the watershed are in generally poor condition. Monitoring will determine if streams within the watershed need to be added to the Impaired Water List.

Outcome

The Department would like to partner with the Ozaukee County Land and Water Department and incorporate the results of this project into their proposed sanitary survey and buffer initiative project for the two watersheds. The county has applied for a GLRI grant, and if the grant is awarded, they will conduct a sanitary survey in the two watersheds to identify failing septic systems and critical runoff areas, and they will delineate areas for vegetated buffer areas. USGS would also have two gauge stations at the mouth of each stream to conduct water quality monitoring. A final report would be part of the project outcome and will be finalized June 30, 2011. Post monitoring would be proposed in the future if the county is successful with BMP implementation. Performance Measures: These are milestones that will be reported on in the Division Quarterly Report. Please estimate dates in a manner that encourages success. 1) Number of sample sites associated with the project: 10 2) Number of sampling events associated with project: 30 (Total) 3) Estimated date when sample collection will be complete: 11/15/2010 4) Estimated date when all data will be entered into appropriate database: 03/15/2011 5) Estimated date when final report will be complete: 06/30/2011

Related Reports

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Targeted Monitoring
Newly Proposed
SER_03_CMP11
2010
Complete
 
Activities & Recommendations
Monitor or Propose 303(d) Listing
Sauk Creek - WBIC 49500 Sucker Creek - WBIC 50100