Research about Nederlo Creek

USGS1982

Aquatic biology in Nederlo Creek, southwestern Wisconsin

This report presents the results of biologic investigations by the U.S. Geological Survey and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources during a study of hydrology and water quality in a small drainage basin in the "Driftless Area" of southwest Wisconsin. The investigation included aquatic macrophytes, periphytic and planktonic algae, benthic invertebrates, and trout population dynamics during 1967-78. The aquatic community is diverse and reasonably stable with little indication of environmental disturbance. Aquatic macrophyte population (dominated by Ranunculus aquatilis L., Veronica catenata Penn., and Nasturtium offlcinale) varies little from spring to fall. Periphytic and planktonic algae are predominantly diatoms, with the genus Achnanthes dominating both communities. Most genera of planktonic algae originate in the periphyton, but some true planktonic algae were identified. The benthic invertebrate population is dominated by Trichoptera and is a major food source for trout and forage fish. Biotic index values calculated from benthic invertebrate data indicate that water quality is very good to excellent. The trout population is low and represents only a small part of the total fish population both in biomass and numbers. Brown trout are usually stocked annually in the spring to enhance sport fishing, but by fall most trout are wild. The major environmental factors limiting trout population seem to be insufficient cover, insufficient pool depth and volume, and small spawning areas. The wild trout population is highly dependent on spawning success the previous fall.

Wisconsin↗

USGS1979

Hydrology and water quality in the Nederlo Creek Basin, Wisconsin, before construction of two water-retention structures

The Nederlo Creek basin, in the "Driftless Area" of southwest Wisconsin, is geographically and hydrologically similar to other small basins in the area. Topography is rugged, with approximately 400 feet of relief between the boundary ridge tops and the valley floor. The water-retention structures (a dry floodwater- retention structure and a 43-acre reservoir) are to provide recreation and flood protection for the basin. Streamflow, springflow, precipitation, and groundwater levels were monitored at several sites to describe the hydrologic system. Streamflow is fairly constant at base flow, but rapid changes in discharge occur during periods of snowmelt or heavy rain; recession to base-flow discharge following these events is rapid. Surface runoff is a significant contributor to Streamflow only 10 percent of the time. The mean annual hydrologic budget for water years 1968-72 shows that of the 32.5 inches of precipitation on the basin, 6.4 inches left as runoff and 25.9 inches as evapotranspiration; ground-water storage increased an average of 0.2 inches per year. The water is a hard calcium magnesium bicarbonate type. Concentrations of major constituents in ground water and streams at base flow are similar, but concentrations in the stream generally decrease during periods when surface runoff contributes to Streamflow. Dissolved-oxygen concentrations in the stream are generally lowest during the summer; nighttime lows are generally between 7 and 8 milligrams per liter and daily maximums between 11 and 12.5 milligrams per liter. Diurnal water-temperature fluctuations of several degrees are common in streams during summer; daily maximum water temperatures as high as 26°C have been measured in some areas, but temperatures this high seldom persist for more than 2 hours. Estimates of mean annual total phosphorus and total nitrogen loads during 1967-74 fall within the ranges of 0.02 to 0.07 and 0.4 to 0.8 tons per square mile, respectively; 70 to 80 percent of the total phosphorus and 35 to 55 percent of the total nitrogen are transported during periods when surface runoff contributes to Streamflow. Mean annual suspended-sediment loads during 1968-74 range from 13 to 60 tons per square mile, with 74 to 86 percent of the total transported during periods when surface water contributes to streamflow. These sediment loads are at the low end of the range previously reported for streams in the "Driftless Area".

Wisconsin↗