|
Little is known about this
18-mile stream, though it is considered a limited forage fishery with many
wetlands. It is dry much of the year but can experience significant
flows during large wet weather events.
The river flows into Allouez Bay of the St. Louis River, and its
mouth is an important spawning area for northern pike, chubs, and many
other warm water species. During the Wisconsin DNR’s survey work for
coastal wetlands evaluation, one rare macroinvertebrate was found in this
stream, which has moderate richness of macroinvertebrate taxa.
Impacts noted at the survey site included significant turbidity, silt, and
low flow conditions. Significant sources of pollutants included
barnyards, Burlington Northern’s rail yards and engine house, livestock,
cropland, and erodible stream banks, with point source and septic
contributions present (WDNR Basin Plan).
The part of the southeast drainage area along Bluff
Creek is undeveloped. However, the
City’s Comprehensive Plan has this area scheduled as a Stage V Growth
Area. The Plan suggests that 160
new units will be constructed along Bluff Creek by 2020. Residential development would adversely impact
Bluff Creek by increased peak runoff rates, volumes, and temperatures. Increased runoff rates could
significantly affect Bluff Creek ecology because this creek has a low base
flow. Increased sedimentation to
Superior Bay is also a concern (CTE Surface Water Management Plan).
In 2006, the West Wisconsin
Land Trust acquired a tract of land on Bluff Creek on the southern border
of the City of Superior. This creek
also reported the most turbid reading during the sampling period (see data).
|
|