Project Detail

Babb Creek 303d validation Project [SCR_04_CMP11]

Purpose

The objective is to update habitat data and collect missing fish IBI, macroinvertebrate and water chemistry data. A 303d documentation report will be written. Qualitative habitat information was collected in 2001 at 3 sites, and indicated habitat ranged from poor to good, depending on location. A single fish IBI was collected in 2000, and rated poor. Additional information is necessary to validate the listing. Babb Creek (WBIC: 1279100) is currently on the 303d impaired waters list. The project will provide a defensible data set to validate Babb Creek 303d listing. Babb Creek is a 6-mile tributary to the Baraboo River. The creek supports a warm water forage fishery. Sampling conducted in the summer of 2000 found the water to be of fair quality. The stream is considered impaired as a result of nonpoint sources of pollution and is listed on the EPA's list of impaired waters. This nonpoint pollution comes from general erosion as well as streambank pasturing. Babb Creek was a baseline monitored stream in 2000. A rare aquatic species has been found in the creek in past surveys. A cursory habitat evaluation was conducted during the summer of 2001. The evaluation found the creek to have good in-stream habitat at the mouth and fair to poor habitat upstream. In the upper reaches of the creek, there is evidence of heavy watershed erosion and nonpoint sources of pollution. In addition, unstable banks were noted. These nonpoint sources of pollution have contributed sediment to the system and increased the amount of sediment found on the bottom of the stream.

Objective

Outcome

Three sites will be monitored along 6.4 stream miles. Each site will require three visits to collect qualitative habitat, water chemistry, fish IBI, macroinvertebrates, and to deploy/retrieve continuous temperature monitors. Data collection will be completed in fall of 2010. Data will be entered into SWIMS and FM databases by Unmuth and intern by winter of 2011. A 303 d impaired waters document will be attached to WATERS database by winter of 2011.

Project Type

TMDL/303d Projects

Project Sub Type

Monitor Listed Waters

Project ID

SCR_04_CMP11 ATTAINS

Year Started

2010

Status

Complete

Reports and Documents

Babb Creek Impaired Waters Document