Rock
No
No
No
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
Taylor Creek is a 13-mile stream that drains southward in western Rock County and empties into the Sugar River. The lower three-quarters of a mile of the stream flows through the Avon Bottoms Wildlife Area. The lower 6 miles of the stream currently support a warm water sport fishery as confirmed by a 1997 survey which found largemouth and smallmouth bass, and northern pike as well as a variety of panfish and warmwater forage species. This portion of the stream has the potential to support a cold water fishery (Bush, pers comm); however, numerous beaver dams slow and warm the water. The upper half of the stream is a warm water forage fishery.
Date 2002
Author Aquatic Biologist
Historical Description
From: Ball, Joseph R., and Ronald J. Poff, Lake and Stream Classification Project. Surface Water Resources of Rock County, Department of Natural Resources, 1970.
Surface Acres = 15.59, Miles = 13.4, Gradient = 9.85 feet per mile.
A warm water stream rising in west central Rock County and flowing south to Sugar River. The stream drains 15.6 square miles of crop and wetland and has been ditched throughout much of its length. Managed for forage species, but smallmouth bass, northern pike and catfish migrate upstream a short distance from the Sugar River. Adjoining fresh meadow wetland totals 859 acres, 15 percent of which is wooded. Approximately 3/4 mile of the stream flows through the Avon Bottoms Wildlife Area. Access is available from six county and five town roads, and two state highway crossings. In addition, navigable water access is available
from the Sugar River.
Date 1970
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
General Condition
Taylor Creek was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; new biological (macroinvertebrate Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scores) sample data were clearly below the 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Fish and Aquatic Life use. This water was meeting this designated use and was not considered impaired.
Date 2017
Author Ashley Beranek
Impaired Waters
The 2018 assessments of Taylor Creek (miles 0-6.06) showed continued impairment by phosphorus; new total phosphorus sample data exceeded the 2018 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use. However, available biological data did not indicate impairment (i.e. no 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
Taylor Creek (876300) from the confluence with Swan Creek down to its mouth was assessed during the 2016 listing cycle; total phosphorus sample data exceed 2016 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use, however, available biological data do not indicate impairment (i.e. no macroinvertebrate or fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scored in the "poor" condition category). Temperature data met 2016 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use.
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.
Monitor or Propose 303(d) Listing
Taylor Creek, from Swan Creek downstream to the Sugar River and Willow Creek should be added as a watch water since total phosphorus concentrations are near the criteria for listing.
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 |
|---|
| 876300 | Taylor Creek | 10021080 | Taylor Creek At Sth 11 | 7/1/2007 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
| 876300 | Taylor Creek | 10042220 | Taylor Creek at W. Gempler Rd | 5/23/2014 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
| 876300 | Taylor Creek | 10014327 | Taylor Creek-Ds 141m Of Footville-Brodhead Rd | 5/22/2014 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
| 876300 | Taylor Creek | 10042014 | Taylor Creek at W. Keesey Road | 5/10/2014 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
|
Watershed Characteristics
Taylor Creek is located in the Lower Sugar River watershed which is 217.85 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (65.80%), grassland (16.90%) and a mix of forest (7.60%) and other uses (9.70%). This watershed has 467.98 stream miles, 202.10 lake acres and 6,999.03 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked Low for runoff impacts on streams, Not Ranked 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.