Milwaukee
No
No
Yes
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
Underwood Creek is a eight and a half mile long tributary to the Milwaukee River origniating near Brookfield in Waukesha County and flowing East.
Date 2011
Author Aquatic Biologist
Impaired Waters
The 2018 assessments of Underwood Creek (from the confluence with the Menomonee River to the Milwaukee/Waukesha County line) showed impairment by chloride; new chloride sample data exceeded the 2018 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use. New total phosphorus sample data were nearly below the 2018 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use. Available biological impairment was observed (i.e. at least one macroinvertebrate or fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scored in the poor condition category). Based on the most updated information, no change in the existing impaired waters listing was needed.
Date 2017
Author Ashley Beranek
Impaired Waters
Underwood Creek (WBIC 16700) from the Milwaukee/Waukesha County line to the headwaters was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; new total phosphorus sample data exceeded the 2018 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use. Available biological data did not indicate impairment (i.e. no macroinvertebrate or fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) averages scored in the "poor" condition category). The original 2012 fIBI scores were artificially lower; corrected fIBI scores show no impairment. New chloride sample data exceeded the 2018 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use. The Degraded Biological Impairment was proposed for delisting, but Total Phosphorus and Chloride listings additions were proposed. This portion of the river was also listed for E. coli.
Date 2017
Author Ashley Beranek
Impaired Waters
Underwood Creek (16700) from the Menomonee River to Highway 18 was assessed during the 2016 listing cycle; temperature data exceeded 2016 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Fish and Aquatic Life use. Total phosphorus sample data clearly met 2016 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use, however, biological impairment was observed (i.e. at least one macroinvertebrate or fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scored in the poor condition category).
Date 2015
Author Aaron Larson
Condition
Wisconsin has over 84,000 miles of streams, 15,000 lakes and milllions of acres of wetlands. Assessing the condition of this vast amount of water is challenging. The state's water monitoring program uses a media-based, cross-program approach to analyze water condition. An updated monitoring strategy (2015-2020) is now available. Compliance with Clean Water Act fishable, swimmable standards are located in the Executive Summary of Water Condition in 2018. See also the 'monitoring and projects' tab.
Reports
Recommendations
Citizen-Based Stream Monitoring
Collect chemical, physical, and/or biological water quality data to assess the current overall stream health. The data can inform management decisions and may be used to identify impaired waters for biennial lists.
Citizen-Based Stream Monitoring
Collect chemical, physical, and/or biological water quality data to assess the current overall stream health. The data can inform management decisions and may be used to identify impaired waters for biennial lists.
Citizen-Based Stream Monitoring
Collect chemical, physical, and/or biological water quality data to assess the current overall stream health. The data can inform management decisions and may be used to identify impaired waters for biennial lists.
Management Goals
Wisconsin's Water Quality Standards provide qualitative and quantitative goals for waters that are protective of Fishable, Swimmable conditions [Learn more]. Waters that do not meet water quality standards are considered impaired and restoration actions are planned and carried out until the water is once again fishable and swimmable
Management goals can include creation or implementation of a Total Maximum Daily Load analysis, a Nine Key Element Plan, or other restoration work, education and outreach and more. If specific recommendations exist for this water, they will be displayed below online.
Monitoring
Monitoring the condition of a river, stream, or lake includes gathering physical, chemical, biological, and habitat data. Comprehensive studies often gather all these parameters in great detail, while lighter assessment events will involve sampling physical, chemical and biological data such as macroinvertebrates. Aquatic macroinvertebrates and fish communities integrate watershed or catchment condition, providing great insight into overall ecosystem health. Chemical and habitat parameters tell researchers more about human induced problems including contaminated runoff, point source dischargers, or habitat issues that foster or limit the potential of aquatic communities to thrive in a given area. Wisconsin's Water Monitoring Strategy was recenty updated.
Grants and Management Projects
Monitoring Projects
| WBIC | Official Waterbody Name | Station ID | Station Name | Earliest Fieldwork Date | Latest Fieldwork Date | View Station | View Data |
|---|
| 16000 | Menomonee River | 413293 | Empire Level Mfg Corp | | | Map | Data |
| 16700 | Underwood Creek | 413779 | Underwood Creek at 115 Street Wauwatosa | 1/1/2015 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
| 16700 | Underwood Creek | 10010557 | Underwood Creek | | | Map | Data |
| 16700 | Underwood Creek | 10031613 | Underwood Creek at Gravel Sholes Park | 6/10/2010 | 10/31/2017 | Map | Data |
| 16700 | Underwood Creek | 10032514 | Underwood Creek at mouth Wauwatosa | | | Map | Data |
| 16000 | Menomonee River | 413299 | Stroh Die Casting Company Inc | 8/5/1985 | 8/5/1985 | Map | Data |
| 16700 | Underwood Creek | 10012135 | Underwood Creek - Underwood 2 | | | Map | Data |
| 16700 | Underwood Creek | 10037820 | Underwood Creek at Wauwatosa WI | 4/1/1990 | 4/1/1990 | Map | Data |
| 16700 | Underwood Creek | 10039649 | Underwood Creek at Underwood Pkwy and N 119th St | 6/29/2010 | 6/29/2010 | Map | Data |
| 16700 | Underwood Creek | 10047977 | Underwood Creek DS HWY 45 at 107th Street | 1/1/2015 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
| 16700 | Underwood Creek | 10013453 | Underwood 2 | | | Map | Data |
| 16700 | Underwood Creek | 10037398 | Underwood Creek 2M DS of concrete E of Hwy 100 overpass | 8/29/2012 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
| 16700 | Underwood Creek | 10014159 | Underwood 2 - (West Of 115th St) | 3/27/2007 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
| 16700 | Underwood Creek | 413007 | Underwood Creek at Ush 45 At Wauwatosa WI | 1/13/1975 | 10/15/2002 | Map | Data |
| 16700 | Underwood Creek | 10015593 | Underwood Creek 2 | | | Map | Data |
| 16700 | Underwood Creek | 10047973 | Underwood Creek US 124th Street at W Bleumound Road (HWY 18) | 1/1/2015 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
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Watershed Characteristics
Underwood Creek is located in the Menomonee River watershed which is 136.12 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily suburban (34.50%), urban (32.70%) and a mix of agricultural (11.10%) and other uses (21.70%). This watershed has 174.17 stream miles, 352.64 lake acres and 5,967.40 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked High for runoff impacts on streams, High for runoff impacts on lakes and High for runoff impacts on groundwater and therefore has an overall rank of High. This value can be used in ranking the watershed or individual waterbodies for grant funding under state and county programs.However, all waters are affected by diffuse pollutant sources regardless of initial water quality. Applications for specific runoff projects under state or county grant programs may be pursued. For more information, go to surface water program grants.