Watersheds of the Upper Chippewa Basin

The Holcombe Flowage Watershed is the southwestern-most watershed in the Upper Chippewa River Basin. Approximately 70 percent of the watershed is wooded, with the remainder open woodland and agriculture. The watershed is divided into roughly equal parts between Rusk and Chippewa Counties, and contains the Holcombe Flowage in its eastern tip. The flowage is an impoundment formed by the Northern States Power Company dam on the Chippewa River near the town of Holcombe. Holcombe Flowage supports a very good sport fishery, although a fish consumption advisory exists for walleye due to mercury. Shore vegetation consists of upland woods and wetlands with heavy development around the entire perimeter of the flowage. The flowage is fed by the Chippewa, Flambeau and Jump rivers, and Maln, Deertail, Cranberry, and Birch creeks. Stream surveys from the 1960s provide the only data for most of the streams in the watershed. We have virtually no documentation describing nonpoint source threats to water quality of streams in the Holcombe Flowage Watershed.

The streams in the Lower Jump River watershed have extremely variable flows. Many of the streams, especially in Taylor County, frequently go dry. The watershed supports some agricultural usage, especially the downstream sections, and row cropping presents a potential nonpoint source threat. Virtually no lakes exist in the watershed. The downstream section of the watershed in Taylor County is more heavily agricultural than the upstream area. Streambank degradation is probably not a major issue for the streams in this watershed. We have no recent information on the tributary streams to the Jump River in this watershed. Shoulder Creek and lower Alder Creek in particular have the potential to be affected by nonpoint source pollution. We did not have enough data on the streams in this watershed to rank it for a project under the Wisconsin Nonpoint Source Water Pollution Abatement Program.

The Middle Jump River watershed contains the North Fork of the Jump River, the downstream portion of the South Fork Jump, and nine miles of the Jump River after the two forks meet. This watershed has only one lake of any size: Cranberry Lake at the head of the North Fork Jump. The watershed has many miles of streams, most of which are small forage fish streams. The intermittent flow conditions of these streams are characteristic of the drainage patterns in this geographical area. The watershed is largely public and private wild land and is quite rocky in places. It also contains a significant amount of wetlands. Much of the watershed which extends into Taylor County is in the Chequamegon National Forest. The two municipalities in the watershed are Kennan and Catawba. both of which are sewered.

The North Fork of the Jump River begins at Cranberry Lake which receives discharge from a large commercial cranberry operation. Water samples from the 1970s did not detect pesticides in the lake. Concerns continue, however, over the potential for pesticide discharge to Cranberry Lake and consequently the North Fork of the Jump River. The North Fork of the Jump supports an important fishery managed for northern pike, bass, and other game species. It also has significant endangered resource values. Cranberry Lake itself winterkills. Fisheries Management has proposed aeration for this lake. The North Fork of the Jump River experienced siltation in 1990 at least a mile downstream of the cranberry marsh from dike work on the marsh (WRM). Spring Creek State Wildlife area contains wildlife impoupdments, one made by the North Fork of the Jump. Spring Creek is a short feeder strearq into one of the impoundments. The Jump River North and South Forks contain rapids as they approach the point where they join and become the Jump River main stem. The South Fork flows through the scenic area of Big Falls hice County Park. The Bureau of Endangered Resources documents occurrences of a dragonfly species which is endangered in Wisconsin, as well as several Wisconsin Special Concern Species in the Lower South Fork of the Jump River. The populations of these species appear lower than expected given the excellent structure available in the River (Bur. of Endangered Resources. 1993). There is no water quality information for the Lower South Fork of the Jump River. Most of the other streams in the watershed are quite small, and little is known about them. Hobbles Creek is the longest stream in the watershed other than the Jump River. Hobbles supports a warm water sport fish community, but we have no further information. Needles Creek has the potential for to be affected by a gravel pit operation.

Much of this watershed consists of undeveloped wild land, The watershed has few lakes. many small streams, and extensive wetlands. A portion of the Chequameegon National Forest in Taylor County is in this watershed. The southeastern section of the watershed, east of Ogema, consists of the hilly terrain that includes Timms Hill, the highest point in Wisconsin. The watershed includes some small active farms, although much of the agricultural land could be considered marginal. Nonpoint source problems in this watershed are probably not widespread, but there is potential for localized problems. As is the case for most of the watersheds in the Upper Chippewa Basin, the existence of nonpoint source problems is not well documented. Based on available data. this watershed is ranked as medium priority for possible selection as a priority watershed project under the Wisconsin Nonpoint Source Pollution Abatement Program. Gravel operations in the watershed could cause localized water quality problems.

The municipal areas in the watershed are Prentice, Ogema, and Westboro. The Upper South Fork of the Jump River beglns at a private wildlife flowage created in the 1950s. The U.S. Forest Service, in a 1988 analysis of the South Fork of the Jump for the Wild and Scenic River program, reported slx farms, three gravel pits, and 101 cabins or homes in the river corridor. The Prentice municipal wastewater treatment plant discharges to the South Fork of the Jump. Wood treating industries near Prentice are potential concerns for water quality for the South Fork Jump RLver and possibly for Douglas Creek due to runoff. Monitoring in 1988 and 1989 upstream and downstream of the Prentice wastewater treatment plant indicated high bacterial counts below the discharge. This was also true in 1977. Low flows in the river allow for limited wastewater dilution. Ammonia levels of 0.03 mgll below Prentice were also close to the warm water criteria value of 0.04 mgll. Above the discharge, ammonia levels were below detection. Benthic invertebrate biotic index values for this stretch of river are, however, indicative of excellent water quality without apparent organic pollution. Recommendations for the Prentice wastewater treatment plant are made in the Point Source Report. Douglas Creek, Silver Creek, and the Mondeaw River are the major tributaries to the South Fork of the Jump in this watershed. We have little information about any of these streams.

The Main Creek watershed is a mixture of agricultural and wooded land with dairy farming the primary agricultural activity. Dairy farming is declining in the northern portions of the watershed, yet areas of active farming remain as sources of polluted runoff. Farming is more stable and intensive in the southern portion of the watershed, where sources of polluted runoff are also more widespread. Nonpoint source impacts have been identified for nearly all the streams in the watershed. Streambank pasturing and barnyards are the most frequently identified sources of polluted runoff. Cropland erosion is a problem in some areas, especially in the southern portion of the watershed

Deer Tail Creek is a low gradient, warm water drainage stream originating in northeastern Rusk County and flowing southwesterly to its mouth on the Chippewa River near the Holcombe Flowage. Its hydrology is flashy, with flow rangtng from near zero to approximately two cubic feet per second. Near its headwaters this creek flows through forest and wetlands. but along its middle reaches pasture and agriculture dominate. More than 300 acres of wetlands border the stream. One dam exists on Deer Tail Creek north of Glen Flora. This five foot head dam impounds 71-acre McGee Lake, the only lake in the watershed. The creek supports a warm water sports fishery that includes northern pike, white suckers, minnows, and a variety of other warm water species, but the fishery is limited by low flows. Recreational use is very light.

Deer Tail Creek flows past two villages: Tony and Glen Flora, and receives treated wastewater at both sites. We have no data documenting current nonpoint source problems, but habitat destruction by cattle presents a continuing threat to water quality (Pratt 1993). While we believed this watershed is affected by nonpoint source pollution, we do not have adequate documentation for ranking the watershed for possible selection as a priority watershed under the Wisconsin Nonpoint Source Water Pollution Abatement Program. It is also possible that Deer Tail Creek's low flow conditions may limit its potential to respond to nonpoint source controls with habitat and water quality improvements. Its potential to deliver sediments and nutrients to Holcombe Flowage should also be considered.

This watershed is predominately forested except around the city of Ladysmith where significant amounts of agricultural land adjoin the Flambeau River. Ladysmith, the largest city in the Upper Chippewa River Basin and the only municipal area in this watershed, maintains a wastewater treatment plant that discharges effluent into the Flambeau. The Pope and Talbot paper mill in Ladysmith is another point source, but it ceased operations in 1992 and it is unknown when the plant will re-open. We have poor information on most streams in this watershed. No information exists for Washington Creek. Meadow Brook, George Ladd Creek, or the Bruno Lake Ditch despite its close proximity to Ladysmith. The greatest nonpoint source water pollution threats are runoff from agriculture, and urban runoff from Ladysmith. Some agricultural nonpoint source problems have been documented through the Animal Waste Program (NR 247) in the Ladysmith area.

This is the first stretch along the Flambeau that supports a signifcant level of agricultural activity. Because of the dilution that occurs in a large river like the Flambeau, it is difficult to demonstrate that water quality in the river is impaired due to local nonpoint source inputs. Perhaps nonpoint source and erosion controls in this watershed are currently best approached through US. Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service programs where the primary goals are not tied specifically to water quality within the specific watershed, as is the Wisconsin Nonpoint Source Abatement Program, but the end result may be the same.

This watershed consists of mostly Ag lands with extensive wetlands, including the Million Acre Swamp. Little development occurs in this watershed. The lower South Fork of the Flambeau River passes through the Flambeau River State Forest before joining the North Fork of the Flambeau. The South Fork of the Flambeau was approved by the Natural Resources Board in January 1993 for classification as an Outstanding Resource Water under NR 102. The only point source in the watershed is the Flambeau Correctional Center which discharges to a wetland draining to Hackett Creek, but does not appear to impact the creek, which is considered a good quality trout stream.
This watershed contains a number of trout streams that are tributaries to the South Fork of the Flambeau: Hackett, Price, Nelson, Smith, and Mt. Pelee creeks. These streams appear to be meeting their potential from a fisheries standpoint (Lealos 1993). Streams in this watershed other than the Flambeau, have not been surveyed for endangered resources.

The upstream portion of this watershed lies in the Chequamegon National Forest, where the Elk River begins. Much of the watershed is wetland. This watershed contains a number of county- owned dams built in the 1930s and 1940s to create recreational flowages, which now have extensive shoreline development. Because these flowages have low, flat shorelines, failing septic systems may be a problem. A number of Class I trout streams are found in this watershed. including Carpenter Creek, which encompasses a DNR Fisheries Area, Ninemile Creek and Foytik Creek flow through private land. There is no water quality information for these streams.

This watershed lies mainly within the Chequamegon National Forest in Price County. Meld is the only municipal area: there are no point source discharges to surface waters. Much of the watershed is wetland andlor forested, with very little agriculture. The South Fork of the Flambeau River begins at Round Lake, which is part of the Pike Lake chain, and flows through the Chequamegon National Forest. This part of the river has several rapids and has a wild river character. It supports several endangered resources including the pygmy snaketail dragonfly (Wisconsin Endangered) and the skillet clubtail dragonfly, a special concern species.

The South Fork of the Flambeau was approved by the Natural Resources Board in January 1993 for classification as an Outstanding Resource Water under NR 102. We have little recent water quality data for the streams in this watershed. Generally we have no indication of water quality problems because of the watershed's wild, undeveloped nature. A number of trout streams in the watershed originate from dredged spring ponds. Tucker and Pine Creeks are tributaries to the Pike Lake chain. We have no information on Tucker and Pine Creeks. Many other streams Mbutary to the Flambeau are small and support warm water forage fish communities.

This watershed contains an abundance of valuable water resources. The Lower North Fork of the Flambeau River is in the Flambeau River State Forest and considered to be one of the best canoe routes in the upper Midwest. In addition to the excellent warm water sports fishery in the Lower North Fork -- a fishery which includes muskellunge, northern pike, bass, and various panfish - all of the streams in the watershed are listed as trout waters. The watershed is heavily forested with some wetlands, and shows very little development. Only two small communities exist in the watershed, Oxbo and Kennedy, and a few cabins along the Lower North Fork. There are no dams on the North Fork of the Flambeau River in this watershed, but flows in the river are influenced by dam operation upstream.

The entire Flambeau River system provides significant habitat for aquatic endangered resources. The Lower North Fork, however, has a lower diversity of odonates (dragonflies and damselflies) than is to be expected for this segment of the river. Upstream influences, such as inputs at Park Falls, are suspected limiting factors (Bur. of Endangered Resources 1993). This segment has great potential for endangered resources recovery if limiting factors are improved. According to Bureau of Fisheries Management Files, all the streams for which data could be found--Connors, Little Connors, Deer, Long, Bear, Mason, Pine, and Camp Seven creeks-are meeting their use potential. Beaver dams are, however, found on most streams and are especially troublesome on Pine and Hay Creeks (Pratt 1993). We have no current information that suggests nonpoint source water quality problems exist in this watershed (Fisheries Management, STORET).

Butternut Creek flows through Butternut Lake and enters the North Fork of the Flambeau River. Butternut Lake, a eutrophic lake, is part of the statewide Long-Term Trend Monitoring program (See Lakes Report). A portion of Butternut Creek upstream of the lake is listed as Class III trout water in the Wisconsin Trout Stream Book. This segment is marginal as a trout water (Lealos 1993).

The stream where it exits the lake is listed as Class II trout water. Data from the 1970s indicate some impact from the village of Butternut Wastewater Treatment Plant, which discharged to the Creek above Butternut Lake. The treatment plant has since gone to a groundwater discharge. There are two veneer mills in the village of Butternut that have had spills which could affect Butternut Creek or the lake. We have no recent information to characterize the water quality status of Butternut Creek. Town and country roads, and other nonpoint sources may contribute excess sediment to the stream

The major feature of this watershed is the Flambeau River which begins at the Turtle- Flambeau Flowage dam in Iron County, then flows through Iron and Ashland Counties. A number of small streams, many of which are trout waters, feed into the North Fork of the Flambeau. Deer, Swamp, Smith, and Ninemile creeks were sampled for macroinvertebrates in 1980. Biotic indices showed good to excellent water quality with an absence of organic pollution (WRM 1980). The rest of the streams in the watershed fall into the warm water forage fish category.

This watershed is dominated by the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage as well as a multitude of other lakes connected by small streams and the Turtle River. Some of the lakes are considered to be quite fertile and have a fair amount of lakeshore development. The Lakes Report of this plan recommends water quality assessment monitoring for 47 lakes in the watershed for which we lack up-to-date information. Streams associated with these lakes should be included in the assessment in a "mini-basin" approach where possible. We have no recent water quality information for streams in this watershed.

Located in southeastern Iron and southwestern Vilas counties, this watershed is primarily undeveloped forest and wetlands. The northern quarter of the watershed lies in the Northern Highland American Legion State Forest, and most of the central and southern sections are inside the Lac du Flambeau Indian Reservation. Powell, Marlands and Lac du Flambeau are the only communities in the watershed. There are no point source discharges to surface water. Lac du Flambeau operates a wastewater treatment plant that discharges into groundwater, but it is not known to be a threat to water quality (WDNR 1980). This facility is maintained by the Lac du Flambeau Band of Chippewa and is outside the jurisdiction of the State of Wisconsin. Most of the watershed's lakes are concentrated in the watershed's eastern half and many are linked by streams to Flambeau Lake.

A large array of cranberry bogs along the northern shore of Little Trout Lake presents a potential source of nutrient and pesticide inputs into this lake system as well as nearby wetlands, but there is no documentation for this. We also have no water quality or fisheries data for most of the streams in the watershed. Existing use information could be found for only the Bear River and Reimer. Little Bear, and Sugarbush creeks.

The Manitowish River Watershed lies in the northeastern-most tip of the Upper Chippewa Rtver Basin. and is almost completely contained within the Northern Highland American Legion State Forest. The region is mostly forest and wetlands.

The Manitowish River originates in wetland areas of central Was County, then runs through several lakes before it joins with the Bear River to form the Flambeau River. The communities in the watershed, Boulder Junction, Manitowish Waters, and Manitowish, are all located along the Manitowish River. though none are known to threaten water quality. The major lakes the river flows through are Boulder, Island, Spider, Stone, and Rest Lakes. Boulder Lake is under a fish advisory for mercury contamination of walleye. We lack existing use data on 58 percent of the streams in the Manitowish River Watershed that lies within North Central District. The remainder of the streams are classifled as warm water sport, warm water forage and cold streams.

Water quality degradation by caffle and barnyard runoff is a problem in this watershed. The only point source discharge to surface water in the watershed if from the Village of Weyerhauser, which discharges to a tributary to Soft Maple Creek.

This watershed extends from eastern Sawyer County into the middle of Rusk County. The area supports little agriculture, is largely undeveloped, and consists primarily of forest and wetlands. There are no towns or point source discharges in the watershed. There has been very little fisheries management activity. The most recent water quality information for streams dates from the 1970s. Macroinvertebrate surveys from 1979 in the Thornapple River, Little Thornapple, and Twin Creek, indicated good to excellent water quality with an absence of organic pollution.

Weirgor Creek and Brunet River watershed is largely forested, supports potato and rutabaga farming, and livestock operations. Impact from agriculture appears minimal, but this has been poorly documented. Forestry is the primary industry in the watershed. and a potential nonpoint source problem. The water resources in this watershed would probably benefit from the application of Forestry Best Management Practices. The Big Weirgor and Brunet River watershed contains 13 trout streams, and of these, 11 are listed as Class I. Given the value of the fisheries resource, surprising little is known about current status of many of these streams.

The Couderay River Watershed lies in west central Sawyer County and also includes a small piece of eastern Washbwn County. Mostly forested and wetland, this watershed contains flve state wildlife and fishery areas and most of the Lac Courte Oreilles Indian reservation. There are significant amounts of pasture in the southeastern corner, and the hilly topography of the south central region tend to make the streams there hydrologically flashy. The wastewater treatment plant at Radisson and Stone Lake discharges to groundwater. The facility near Reserve maintained by the Lac Courte Oreilles tribe discharges to surface water.

The water resources of this watershed are dominated by its large, high quality lakes. As is typical with the Upper Chippewa River Basin, the current status of most of the streams in this watershed is unknown. Four easements were negotiated in 1978 to fence out cattle along Devils Creek (Bennitt 1978), but there is no other documentation of nonpoint source pollution for streams in this watershed. With the exception of six trout streams-Eddy, Swift, Devils, Alder, Hauer, and Grindstone-the streams in this watershed support mainly warm water forage fish communities. Area fisheries management files also document widespread beaver activity. Of the 14 named streams in this watershed, only four, the Couderay River and Section 20, Grindstone and Sand creeks, had no records of beaver disturbance

This watershed has 17 listed trout streams, more than any other watershed in the Upper Chippewa River Basin. Mostly covered by wetland and forest. nonpoint source pollution is probably not widespread here, but agriculture is scattered throughout the watershed. No use information is available for many of the watershed's streams. and with the exception of the East Fork of the Chippewa River, current water quality data for most of these streams is lacking. The part of the watershed located in the Chequamegon National Forest in southwestern Ashland County has also had very little fisheries survey work.

Glidden and Shannagolden are the only two communities in the watershed. Glidden maintains a wastewater treatment plant that discharges into the East Fork of the Chippewa. Virtually all trout streams in this watershed have beaver dams. There is some scattered agriculture with the potential to cause local water quality effects to trout streams.

This watershed contains excellent water resources, primarily in the form of its many large lakes, especially Lake Chippewa (Chippewa Flowage) which dominates the watershed's southern half. Lake Chippewa is the product of a dam built on the Chippewa River in 1923 by Northern States Power to generate hydroelectric power and control floods. The flowage is the largest body of water in northern Wisconsin and supports an outstanding warm water sports fishery that includes walleye, muskellunge, largemouth bass and blue gills.

Lake Chippewa drains an undeveloped area that is totally wooded or wetland, and eight of the 12 named streams in the watershed--Pipestone, Camp One, Blueberry, Yankee Joe, Drake, Hay, and Moss Creek and the North Fork of the Chief River--empty directly into the lake. Despite the recreational value of the region, available water quality information on the streams in this watershed, including the section of the Chief River that runs through the Chief River State Wildlife Area, is out of date. Most data are more than 25 years old.

Nearly all of the watershed is located within the Chequamegon National Forest. Day and Moose Lakes have fisheries advisories for mercury contamination of muskellunge and walleye, respectively. Ghost Lake drains directly into to the West Fork of the Chippewa River and also has an advisory for walleye. The village of Clam Lake is the only communfty in the watershed, and the only developed area along the West Fork of the Chippewa. Clam Lake is unsewered, and the septic system presents a potential source of nutrients to the groundwater and possibly to the river. We have no data on many streams in this watershed, or they are listed as only supporting a warm water forage fishery.