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Research about Dane County, Wisconsin

Source-linked reports with geographic coverage including Dane County, Wisconsin.

29 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
USGS1990

Hydrology, aquatic macrophytes, and water quality of Black Earth Creek and its tributaries, Dane County, Wisconsin, 1985-86

An intensive data-collection program for the Black Earth Creek basin in southern Wisconsin was conducted from October 1984 through September 1986 to assess the hydrology, aquatic macrophytes, and water quality in Black Earth Creek by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Three sites on two cold-water trout streams Black Earth Creek at Cross Plains, Black Earth Creek near Cross Plains, and Garfoot Creek near Cross Plains were continuously monitored for streamflow and water-quality data. One site in a warm-water stream, Brewery Creek at Cross Plains, also was monitored. Aquatic macrophyte biomass was determined for three sites on Black Earth Creek. Streamflow at Black Earth Creek at Black Earth during the 1985 and 1986 water years (WY) were 44 and 60 percent greater than the long-term mean discharge of 33.3 ft3/s (cubic feet per second) for the period 1955-86. Water year 1986 had the highest annual mean discharge, 53.4 ft3/s, since records began in 1954 at the most downstream site Black Earth Creek at Black Earth. Although there have been considerable fluctuations in streamflow, it has tended to increase since WY 1965 as a result of above-average precipitation and consequent rising ground-water levels. Trout population densities may be related to annual mean streamflow. A regression analysis of adult trout populations and the 3-year moving annual mean discharge had a correlation coefficient of 0.75 with a standard error of 83 percent. Aquatic macrophyte biomass in Black Earth Creek was substantially less in 1986 than in 1985 as a result of substrate scouring from the flood of July 25, 1985. The frequency of occurrence of species during 1985 and 1986 was similar to that of 1981, and seasonal succession of species also was similar; Potamogeton crispus dominated early in the year and senesced in July. P. crispus and P. pectinatus, both indicative of eutrophic conditions, dominated upstream and downstream, respectively; neither species is native to the area. In 1985, the greatest biomass was found upstream from Cross Plains. This large biomass caused diurnal fluctuations in dissolved-oxygen concentration of 5 to 6 mg/L (milligrams per liter) as a result of photosynthesis and respiration. Many of the dissolved-oxygen minimums, recorded at night, were less than the State 6.0-mg/L water-quality standard for trout waters. Discharge from point sources may adversely affect Black Earth Creek's water quality. Warm water discharged to Black Earth Creek from a gravel pit operation upstream from Cross Plains increased water temperatures 2 to 4 degrees Celsius and decreased the dissolved oxygen about 1 mg/L at a site 1.8 miles downstream. Runoff from a settling pond from a landfill operation in the headwaters of the Black Earth Creek basin drains through a wetland that drains to Black Earth Creek and contained as much as 60 mg/L ammonia nitrogen, 980 mg/L biochemical oxygen demand, and 1,300 mg/L chemical oxygen demand, which may be detrimental to trout. Garfoot Creek had the highest suspended-sediment and phosphorus yields per unit area of the three upstream basins during low to moderate runoff. Detention ponds in the Brewery Creek basin appear to be less effective in controlling suspended-sediment and phosphorus loads during periods of high runoff than during moderate runoff. Brewery Creek had the highest concentrations of suspended sediment and total phosphorus during low and high flows. The water quality at the Black Earth Creek gaging station at Black Earth was affected by Garfoot Creek and unnamed tributaries. As a result, yields of suspended sediment, phosphorus, and nitrogen increased between Cross Plains and Black Earth. High streamflows during WY 1985 resulted in suspendedsediment yields at Black Earth Creek at Black Earth that were 29 percent greater than the 12-year (1955-65, 85-86) mean; yields ranged from 69.5 ton/mi2 (tons per square mile) in Black Earth Creek at Cross Plains to 116 ton/mi2 in the Brewery Creek basin. Phosphorus yields ranged from 312 lb/mi2 (pounds per square mile) in Black Earth Creek at Cross Plains to 628 lb/mi2 in the Brewery Creek basin. Total nitrogen yields ranged from 3,280 lb/mi2 in the Brewery Creek basin to 6,920 lb/mi2 in the Garfoot Creek basin. An increase in oxygen demand, caused by agricultural runoff, has resulted in reduced dissolved-oxygen content of the water in both Black Earth and Garfoot Creeks. The most substantial reduction occurred at Black Earth Creek at Cross Plains on July 25, 1985, as a result of the largest storm runoff event during the study. A rainfall of 5.54 inches caused streamflow discharges to increase from 9 to 122 ft3/s and dissolved-oxygen concentrations to decline to 3.0 mg/L; the dissolved-oxygen concentration was less than 6.0 mg/L for 30 hours.

Wisconsin↗
USGS1979

Urban storm-runoff modelling; Madison, Wisconsin

The Illinois Urban Drainage Area Simulator was used to analyze the effects that (1) physical changes to storm-sewer conduits, and (2) increased runoff detention and infiltration would have on storm runoff in four urban basins in Madison, Wisconsin. The model was calibrated using monitoring data for the four basins collected over a 1-year period. A brief evaluation was made of a modified version of the model that simulates quality of urban runoff. Additional monitoring and computer analysis are necessary to calibrate the water-quality portion of the model before it can be used as a management tool in Madison. This study was done in cooperation with the Dane County Regional Planning Commission (DCRPC). Tables presenting results of various storm-water-management options are included. Some notable simulation results were that a 25 percent storm-sewer slope reduction yielded only a 3 percent peak-discharge reduction, and increasing storm-sewer roughness by increasing Manning's "n" from 0.013 to 0.0^0 decreased peak discharge about 10 to 20 percent. Detention of 10 percent of runoff throughout each basin yielded peak-discharge reductions of about 10 to 20 percent. Infiltration of all parking-lot runoff reduced peak discharges 5 to 2h percent. Peak discharges were reduced by 71 to 88 percent by substituting porous pavement for conventional pavement. Draining 90 percent of the residential rooftops onto lawns instead of driveways reduced peak discharge from 7 to 31 percent. Runoff-volume reduction was similarly reduced for the induced infiltration simulations. Storage requirements for hypothetical storm-water-treatment plants ranged from 2.6 to 29 acre-feet for the smallest and largest basins, respectively, with a treatment capacity of 25 cubic feet per second. A brief inconclusive evaluation of the water-quality subroutines of the model was made. Close agreement was noted between observed and simulated loads for nitrates, organic nitrogen, total phosphate, and total solids. Ammonia nitrogen and orthophosphate computed by the model ranged 7 to 11 times greater than the observed loads. Observed loads are doubtful because of the sparsity of water-quality data.

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USGS1979

Monthly and annual water budgets of Lake Wingra, Madison, Wisconsin, 1972-77

This report presents estimated annual and monthly water budgets for Lake Wingra and the adjacent wetland area for January 1972 through September 1972. Annually, inputs from precipitation, surface runoff, and groundwater inflow are approximately equal (31, 34, and 35 percent, respectively). Outputs include outflow from the lake into Murphy Creek (70 percent), evapotranspiration from the lake and wetland (26 percent), and ground-water outflow (4 percent). The inputs and outputs vary seasonally. In months when snowmelt occurs, surface runoff is a major input (56 percent in March; 46 percent in April). In fall and winter ground-water inflow is a major input (57 percent in November). Precipitation comprises 41 percent of the input in August but only 18 percent in January. Lake outflow is the major output except from July through September. Combined evaporation and evapotranspiration is a major output in summer (45 to 58 percent) but minor in winter (less than 13 percent). Ground-water outflow is a small part of the budget each month, ranging from 2 percent in March and April to a maximum of 7 percent in September. The water budget is based on field data collected from January 1972 through June 1973, and on fragmentary data and estimates for July 1973 through September 1977. The budget terms differ from those published by Oakes, Hendrickson, and Zuehls (1975, table 10) because springflow has been included in total ground-water inflow and estimated on a monthly basis in this report. Previously only annual estimates were provided.

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USGS1976

Low-Flow Characteristics and Mean Annual Discharge of North Branch Manitowoc River at Potter, Wisconsin

The low-flow characteristics presented in this report are the annual minimum 7-day mean flows at the 2-year recurrence interval and 10-year recurrence interval. They were determined just downstream from the confluence of the three streams forming the North Branch Manitowoc River and, based on natural-flow conditions, are 0.0 cubic foot per second (0.0 cubic metre per second). Observations made in October 1974 showed that the natural discharge of the three streams forming the North Branch Manitowoc River was 0.0 cubic foot per second (0.0 cubic metre per second). A discharge of 0.30 cubic foot per second (0.008 cubic metre per second) was measured in the tributary from Hilbert but this was predominantly effluent from the sewage-treatment plant and a cheese factory in Hilbert. The mean annual discharge for the North Branch Manitowoc River at Potter is 27 cubic feet per second (0.76 cubic metre per second). This was based on the estimated and recorded discharge for June 1, 1974, to May 31, 1975, for the North Branch Manitowoc River at Potter site and an adjustment based on the long-term mean annual discharge at gaging station 04086000, Sheboygan River at Sheboygan.

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USGS1976

Regional flood limits of lower Yahara River, Lake Waubesa and south, in Dane County, Wisconsin

The purpose of this report is to provide information on the extent , depth, and frequency of flooding of the lower Yahara River in Dane County, Wis. The report contains discharge-frequency data for flood peaks, flood–frequency profiles, and the regional flood– (100-year flood) inundation limits for the lower Yahara River. The study reach is in southern Dane County extending from part of the shoreline of Lake Waubesa downstream through Lake Kegonsa to the Dane-Rock County line. Specifically the parts of the shoreline of Lake Waubesa included are those in and south of section 8, T. 6 N., R. 10 E. on the west shore and the south half of section 3, , T. 7 N., R. 10 E. on the east shore. (See figure 2.) The reach is 21 river miles (31 km) long. The Wisconsin Legislature has enacted flood–plain–Zoning legislation (1965) to encourage economic use of flood plains and to minimize flood losses. This act gave counties, cities, and villages the responsibility of enacting, administering, and enforcing reasonable and effective flood-plain regulations. This report is a sequel to earlier reports by Lawrence and Holmstrom (1971) and Holmstrom and Lawrence (1971). The earlier reports provided much of the same information, but the scale of the maps defining limits of flooding was much smaller. This report , using Orthophotographs at a scale of 1 in - 100 ft., provides greater detail. The report is based on conditions existing in 1971. All elevations are referenced to mean sea level, datum of 1929.

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USGS1975

A digital-computer model for estimating drawdowns in the sandstone aquifer in Dane County, Wisconsin

A digital-computer program was developed to compute nonsteady and steady-state hydrologic changes caused by pumping from a confined aquifer. The program computes head changes in the confined aquifer and the rate and volume of water withdrawn from aquifer boundaries. The program was used to model the sandstone aquifer underlying Dane County, Wisconsin. The aquifer was modeled as a confined aquifer recharged by leakage from the overlying upper aquifer. The physical properties of the aquifer system needed for the model were approximated using aquifer-test data and by matching drawdowns resulting from aquifer development through 1970 with draw-downs computed by the model. The sandstone aquifer should be able to supply the water needs of Dane County well beyond 1990. Maximum regional drawdowns of approximately 40 feet (12 m) between 1970 and 1990 were computed by the model. This amount of additional drawdown would not seriously deplete the ground-water supply.

Wisconsin↗
USGS1975

Hydrology of the Lake Wingra basin, Dane County, Wisconsin

A water budget was prepared to identify the components of the hydrologic system in the Lake Wingra basin. The Lake Wingra basin, which includes a small eutrophic lake within the city of Madison, Wis., is partly a protected area and partly an urbanized area. Measured and estimated inflow and outflow to and from the lake in 1 year (June 1972 to May 1973) was about 4.5 metres (15 feet)—approximately twice the volume of the lake. Inflow to the lake is about 25 percent from direct precipitation on the lake surface, and the rest from nearly equal amounts of surface runoff and ground-water inflow. Outflow from the lake is about 10 percent ground-water outflow, 15 percent evaporation from the lake surface, and 75 percent discharge at the surface outlet. Increased withdrawal of water from municipal and industrial wells in Madison has slowed the rate of flow through the lake. The calculated 1972 water budget for the lake showed gains of about 3,560 millimetres (140 inches) and losses of about 3,500 millimetres (138 inches). A discrepancy of about 60 millimetres (2 inches) probably was caused in part by uncertainties in ground-water inflow and outflow. Effects of evapotranspiration and ground-water inflow in the marsh area southwest of the lake also probably contribute to the discrepancy.

Wisconsin↗
USGS1975

A digital-computer model for estimating hydrologic changes in the aquifer system in Dane County, Wisconsin

The extensive use of ground water for water supply within Dane County has resulted in the need for an appraisal of the area's ground-water resources. Water-resources planners and other water-oriented groups have expressed concern over ground-water level declines and reductions in streamflow that are occurring as a result of heavy pumping. Digital-computer modeling techniques were used to estimate hydrologic changes in the aquifer system that would be caused by continued development. The system was modeled as a two-aquifer system consisting of a confined sandstone aquifer overlain by a leaky unconfined aquifer and underlain by impermeable bedrock. The physical properties of the aquifer system needed for the model were approximated using aquifer-test data and well-log data and by matching observed hydrologic changes in the system with corresponding changes computed by the model. Computed hydrologic changes do not represent a serious depletion of the available ground-water supply for the foreseeable future. Maximum added regional declines in ground-water levels (drawdowns) from 1970 to 1990 were computed to be approximately 10 feet (3 metres) in the unconfined aquifer and approximately 40 feet (12 metres) in the confined aquifer. It is computed that for the same period the average annual streamflow from the upper Yahara River basin would be reduced by approximately 29 cubic feet per second (0.82 cubic metre per second). These changes are computed based on estimated development trends for the confined sandstone aquifer.

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USGS1965

Geology and ground-water resources of Dane County, Wisconsin

The purpose of the ground-water investigation of Dane County, Wis., was to determine the occurrence, movement, quantity, quality, and availability of ground water in the unconsolidated deposits and the underlying bedrock. The relationships between ground water and surface water were studied in general in Dane County and in detail in the Madison metropolitan area. An analysis was made of the hydrologic system of the Yahara River valley and of the effects of ground-water pumpage on that system.

Wisconsin↗
USGS1963

Hydrology of upper Black Earth Creek basin, Wisconsin, with a section on surface water

The upper Black Earth Creek drainage basin has an area of 46 square miles and is in Dane County in south-central Wisconsin. The oldest rock exposed in the valley walls is the sandstone of Late Cambrian age. Dolomite of the Prairie du Chien Group of Ordovician age overlies the sandstone and forms the. resistant cap on the hills. The St. Peter Sandstone, Platteville and Decorah Formations, and Galena Dolomite, all Ordovician in age, form a narrow belt along the southern boundary of the area. Outwash and alluvium of Pleistocene and Recent age fill the valleys. The eastern half of the area was glaciated and is covered with till. The sandstone of Late Cambrian age and the sand and gravel of the outwash deposits are hydraulically connected. Ground water occurs under unconfined (water-table) conditions in the western unglaciated part of the basin and under artesian conditions beneath the till locally in the eastern part. The source of most of the ground water is direct infiltration of precipitation; however, some ground water enters the area as underflow from the south. About 7 inches of the 30 inches of average annual precipitation recharges the ground-water reservoir. The ground water generally moves toward Black Earth Creek where it is discharged. Some ground water moves out of the basin as underflow beneath the valley of Black Earth Creek, and some is discharged by evapotranspiration or is withdrawn by pumping from wells. Water levels in shallow nonartesian wells respond rapidly to precipitation. The effect of precipitation on water levels in artesian wells is slower and more subdued. Water levels are generally highest in spring and lowest in fall and winter. The flow of upper Black Earth Creek is derived mostly from ground-water discharge, except during short periods of and immediately after precipitation when most of the flow is derived from surface runoff. The runoff from upper Black Earth Creek basin decreased from an average of 8.72 inches per square mile of drainage area in 1955 to 5.55 inches in 1958; the decrease reflects the generally decreasing precipitation and declining water levels in the basin during that period. On July 10, 1958, the discharge from the basin was 0.367 cubic feet per second per square mile, and the greatest discharge was 0.84 cubic feet per second per square mile from the southwest subbasin. The ground water has an average temperature of about 50°F. It is a calcium magnesium bicarbonate type water and is very hard.

Wisconsin↗