River and Stream Narratives of the Upper Chippewa Basin

Below are narrative descriptions for waters for which we have a description on file. Not all waters in the basin are listed below.

Little Turtle River, 1996

The Little Turtle River flows out of the Grand Portage. Martha, and Mercer Lakes system and into the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage. The Mercer Wastewater Treatment Plant discharges to the Little Turtle at the outlet of Mercer Lake. Dye studies have shown that effluent flows back into Mercer Lake (WRM). Abundant algal growth occurs in the lake near the discharge. Floating clumps of algae at nuisance levels are common throughout the lake during summer months. In addition to nutrient inputs from the treatment plant. failing septic systems and lawn fertilizers could also be contributing nutrients to the system. The Little Turtle River supports a warm water sport fish community and experiences runs of northern pike. It may have had sturgeon runs before the dam forming the Little Turtle Flowage was built

Long Lake Creek, 1996

Long Lake Creek has the potential to support warm water sport fish, but the normal migration is blocked by beaver dams.

Virgin Creek, 1996

There is a small walleye run out of Long Lake into Virgin Creek.