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IMC05
MAIN BRANCH NIPPERSINK CREEK
- Location:
- Richmond Township (T46N,R8E)
- Burton Township (T46N,R9E)
- Greenwood Township (T45N,R7E)
- Hebron Township (T46N,R7E)
- Alden Township (T46N,R6E)
Size: 33 miles
Natural Resources:
Communities
- Low gradient stream (B)
- Stream IBI range generally 38-50, mean 45 E. of Wonder Lake, 42 W. of Wonder Lake
- Low gradient mostly meandering creek with very diverse riffle and pool structure
- Wide variation in bottom types with gravel common, cobble frequent
- Well developed aquatic vegetation beds
- Very diverse fish fauna with 35 species (2 reintroduced 1997), including 8 pollution intolerants (1 reintroduced) west of Wonder Lake, and 44 species, including 9 intolerants, east of Wonder Lake
- Diverse mussel fauna with 9 species west of Wonder Lake, 14 species east of Wonder Lake and many live mussel beds
- Status supported by MCCD and IDNR data, 1991-1996
Rare Plants:
none
Rare Animals: West of Wonder Lake only
Alasmidonta viridis/Slippershell (E)
Elliptio dilatata/Spike (T)(Reintroduced Summer 1997)
Venustaconcha ellipsiformis/Ellipse (W-SC)
Other Significant Features:
Protection Status:
- Protected in part by MCCD
- Most unprotected
Management Problems:
- Water table alteration (Wonder Lake dam)
- Agricultural run-off; some channelization
- Urbanization of east part of watershed
- Bank erosion; siltation locally
- Fish fauna reduced by 1968 IDNR Rotenone treatment (Wonder Lake to Rte 47)
