Augusta Creek in Kalamazoo County, Michigan is classified as a warm transitional stream based on its drainage area of less than 60 square miles and July mean water temperatures between 67.1-69.8°F. Fish species present include mottled sculpin, creek chub, johnny darter, brown trout, and central mudminnow. Brown trout stocking has occurred since the 1970s with over 6,000 fish stocked annually at times. Nearby Fair Lake and Gilkey Lake chain support diverse fish communities including species of greatest conservation need.

1. AUGUSTA CREEK:
A WARM TRANSITIONAL STREAM

2. MIGHIGAN STREAM CLASSIFICATION
• Cold small river • Warm large river
• Cold stream • Warm small river
• Cold transitional • Warm stream
large river • Warm transitional
• Cold transitional large river
small river • Warm transitional
• Cold transitional small river
stream • Warm transitional
stream

3. AUGUSTA CREEK: KALAMAZOO COUNTY
Warm Transitional Stream (Cool-water)
Defined by the MDNR, Fisheries Division
Typically having drainage areas < 60 mi2
Cool July mean water temperatures between 67.1ºF and 69.8ºF.
Occur in landscapes of fine and medium textured geologies and
gentle topographic relief, where groundwater deliveries to stream
channels are moderate to low
LOCATION TRS CA (mi2) LFY (cfs/mi2) July Mean (F) July range (F)
43rd Ave 01S09W10 27.8 0.3540 67.1 14.2
C Ave 01S09W15 29.0 0.9393 67.6 14.3
M89 01S09W21 32.4 0.4331 68.4 11.9
EF Ave 01S09W27 36.7 0.3594 69.5 12.7

4. AUGUSTA CREEK: THERMAL CLASSIFICATION

5. 1.02
1.04
1.07
1.09
1.12
1.15
1.18
1.21
1.24
1.27
1.31
1.34
1.38
1.42
1.47
1.52
1.57
1.62
1.68
1.74
1.81
1.88
1.96
2.04
2.14
2.24
2.35
1965-2011
Recurrence Interval (Years)
2.47
2.61
2.76
2.94
3.13
3.36
3.62
3.92
4.27
4.70
5.22
5.88
AUGUSTA CREEK: FLOW REGIME
6.71
7.83
9.40
11.75
15.67
23.50
47.00
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
Peak Annual Streamflow (CFS)

6. AUGUSTA CREEK: FISH COMMUNITY
Mottled sculpin
Species Richness Creek chub
25
30 Johnny darter
Brown trout
20 25 Central mudminnow
White sucker
20
15 N. Hogsucker
Blacknose dace
15
10 Hornyhead chub
10
Bluntnose minnow
Grass pickerel
5
55 60 65 70 75 80 5 Rainbow darter
July mean temperature (F)
Green sunfish
C. Stoneroller
Brook lamprey
Common shiner

7. AUGUSTA CREEK: FISH COMMUNITY ATTRIBUTES
78
Quillback
Channel catfish
Smallmouth bass Freshwater drum
July mean Temperature (F)
74 Shorthead redhorse
Walleye
Rock bass
T adpole madtom Log perch
Pirate perch
Common shiner
Grass pickerel
Burbot
70 Stoneroller White sucker
Johnny darter
Longnose dace
Creek chub
Northern redbelly da
66
Mottled sculpin
Brook stickleback Rainbow trout Chinook salmon
Brown trout
62 Coho salmon
Brook trout
Slimy sculpin
58 40
500
10
20
30
4 0
20
30
40
10
50
10
20
30
0
00
00
0
0
0
0
Catchment area (sq. miles)

8. AUGUSTA CREEK: BROWN TROUT
Brown trout (#/ac)
25
500
450
20 400
350
300
15
250
200
10 150
100
50
5
55 60 65 70 75 80 0
July mean temperature (F)

9. Number Stocked
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
43 Street
1995
Year
1996
C Ave
1997
1998
M89
1999
2000
MSU-KF
2001
2002
EF Ave
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
AUGUSTA CREEK: BROWN TROUT STOCKING
2010
2011

10. AUGUSTA CREEK: BROWN TROUT STRAIN

11. AUGUSTA CREEK: BROWN TROUT
STRAIN SIZE

12. AUGUSTA CREEK: HEADWATER LAKES
• Fair Lake
– Species Richness 16 fish (SWM 18 fish)
– Species of Greatest Conservation Need: Lake Chubsucker
– Sunfish Dominate including Black Crappie, Largemouth bass,
Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and Warmouth
– Yellow Perch
• Gilkey Lake Chain
– Species Richness 18 fish
– Species of Greatest Conservation Need: Lake Chubsucker, Tadpole
Madtom
– Sunfish Dominate, but good representation by Insectivores and
Benthivores

13. QUESTIONS ?
Kregg Smith
Senior Fisheries Biologist
smithk34@michigan.gov