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Bear Creek originates in
wetlands (also called the Peyton Marsh) outside of the City of Superior and
flows approximately 2.2 miles from where it enters the City to where it
feeds into Allouez Bay. A shallow stream, Bear Creek has variable and
seasonal flows. It can be dry much of the year and is considered an
intermittent stormwater runoff creek.
However, it can experience significant flows during large wet
weather events. Treated effluent
from Douglas County Hospital used to flow into this creek, but since that
no longer occurs, it was removed from the list of waters not expected to
achieve standards for fishable, swimmable waters. It still receives
discharge from the Chicago and Northwestern Transport Co. Itasca Yard via a
drainage ditch. It is assumed that this creek meets fish and aquatic
life uses, and the mouth of Bear Creek is an important spawning area for
northern pike, chubs, and many other warm water species (WDNR Basin Plan).
Bear Creek is also monitored by Superior Middle School 7th-graders
every spring as part of the Water Watch Program.
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