Watershed - Branch River (MA03)
Branch River Watershed

Details

The Branch River Watershed is located in the northwest corner of Manitowoc County and the southern part of Brown County. The watershed is 69,443 acres in size and includes 186 miles of streams and rivers, 166 acres of lakes and 8943 acres of wetlands. The watershed is dominated by agriculture (78%) and wetlands (13%) and is ranked high for nonpoint source issues affecting streams and groundwater.

Date  2010

Ecological Landscapes for Branch River Watershed

Ecological Landscapes

The Branch River Watershed lies within The Central Lake Michigan Coastal Ecological Landscape which stretches from southern Door County west across Green Bay to the Wolf River drainage, then southward in a narrowing strip along the Lake Michigan shore to central Milwaukee County. Owing to the influence of Lake Michigan in the eastern part of this landscape, summers there are cooler, winters warmer, and precipitation levels greater than at locations farther inland. Dolomites and shales underlie the glacial deposits that blanket virtually all of the Central Lake Michigan Coastal Ecological Landscape. The dolomite Niagara Escarpment is the major bedrock feature, running across the entire landscape from northeast to southwest. Series of dolomite cliffs provide critical habitat for rare terrestrial snails, bats, and specialized plants. The primary glacial landforms are ground moraine, outwash, and lakeplain. The topography is generally rolling where the surface is underlain by ground moraine, variable over areas of outwash, and nearly level where lacustrine deposits are present. Important soils include clays, loams, sands, and gravels. Certain landforms, such as sand spits, clay bluffs, beach and dune complexes, and ridge and swale systems, are associated only with the shorelines of Lake Michigan and Green Bay. Historically, most of this landscape was vegetated with mesic hardwood forest composed primarily of sugar maple, basswood, and beech. Hemlock and white pine were locally important, but hemlock was generally restricted to cool moist sites near Lake Michigan. Areas of poorly drained glacial lakeplain supported wet forests of tamarack, white cedar, black ash, red maple, and elm, while the Wolf and Embarrass Rivers flowed through extensive floodplain forests of silver maple, green ash, and swamp white oak. Emergent marshes and wet meadows were common in and adjacent to lower Green Bay, while Lake Michigan shoreline areas featured beaches, dunes, interdunal wetlands, marshes, and highly diverse ridge and swale vegetation. Small patches of prairie and oak savanna were present in the southwestern portion of this landscape.

Date  2010

Watershed Documents
Watershed Grants
Grant Details
ARRA Pass Through Project
Date
12/9/2009
Waters Involved
East River
Status
In_Progress

Arra 17 Brown County Targeted Performance Standards Grant 2p-00e73201: TMDL implementation planning for the Lower Fox, Plum, and East River Watersheds; contact with Brown Count LCD.


Grant Details
Lake Protection Grant
Date
7/1/1997
Waters Involved
English Lake
Status
Complete

English Lake Management District: Lmi-English Lake Management District Wetland Detention Basin: English Lake Management District proposes to construct a wetland detention basin east of English Lake to treat agricultural runoff from a nearby barnyard/feedlot and cropland. The wetland basin will be built from an approved design to maximize sediment and nutrient removal efficiency. The project activities include site preparation and construction of an approximately 300 foot long dike that will create a detention basin that will result in a wetland about 1.2 acres in surface. The rock spillway and complete approved planting of wetland and aquatic vegetation are also included in this project.


Grant Details
Lake Protection Grant
Date
9/1/2001
Waters Involved
English Lake
Status
Complete

English Lake Management District: Lmi-Df-English Lake Drain Tile Diversion Df Study: The English Lake Management District proposes to conduct a diagnostic/feasibility study on drain tile diversion. The project will consist of a site topographic survey; surface, ground and lake water monitoring; drain tile investigation; threatened and endangered species review; public education and involvement and a final report. This final report will contain the collected data and review of alternatives identified in prior planning grants; examination of alternatives based on feasibility, cost and benefits; and an implementtion plan will be selected as the best management option and detailed in this report.


Grant Details
Lake Protection Grant
Date
9/1/2003
Waters Involved
English Lake
Status
Complete

English Lake Management District: Lmi-English Lake Se Drain Tile Diversion Project: The English Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District propose to divert a farmland drain tile that currently discharges to English Lake. The drain tile will be re-routed to discharge to a near-by forested wetland, whereby reducing the phosphorus and sediment loading to English Lake. A final report will be provided both in hard copy and electronically.


Grant Details
Lake Protection Grant
Date
9/1/2007
Waters Involved
English Lake
Status
Complete

English Lake Management District: Acq-English Lake "Pluess" Land Aquisition: The English Lake Protection and Rehab District proposes to purchase 9.82 acres of land known as the "Pluess" property. As part of the District's match, they will use proceeds from a bargain sale and the donated value of .33 acre of property known as the "Burns" property.


Grant Details
Lake Protection Grant
Date
9/1/2000
Waters Involved
Silver Lake
Status
Complete

Manitowoc County: Res-Silver Lake Diversion Project: The Silver Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District proposes to complete the diversion of Silver Creek from Silver Lake which will immediately and significantly lower the amount of sediment and organic loading from the creek into the lake and inhibit migration of undesirable fish species into the lake. The project will consist of bank riprap, outlet control structure, peat berm, maintenance, site ground work, design and consultant services and other miscellaneous structures and activities.


Grant Details
Lake Protection Grant
Date
9/1/2003
Waters Involved
Silver Lake
Status
Complete

Manitowoc County Lakes Assn: Lmi-Silver Lake Restoration Phase 2: The Manitowoc County Lakes Association proposes to complete Phase 2 of the Silver Lake restoration project. This project will significantly reduce the internal nutrient loading contribution to Silver Lake and reclaim a balanced fishery and lake habitat. This will be achieved through 1) complete eradication of the primarily rough fish population using rotenone, 2) alum treatment to inactivate/reduce internal nutrient load for lake sediments, 3) restocking and regulation of the sport fishery, and 4) terrestrial and littoral habitat restoration along 650 feet of shoreline in the county/city park. The main product will be the restoration of Silver Lake. Press releases, newsletters, and presentations will provide information and education to the public.

Progress reports and a final report will be provided to the Department of Natural Resources both in hard copy and electronically.


Grant Details
Lake Protection Grant
Date
9/1/2007
Waters Involved
Unnamed
Status
Complete

English Lake Management District: Acq-English Lake "Pluess" Land Aquisition: The English Lake Protection and Rehab District proposes to purchase 9.82 acres of land known as the "Pluess" property. As part of the District's match, they will use proceeds from a bargain sale and the donated value of .33 acre of property known as the "Burns" property.


Grant Details
River Planning Grant
Date
4/1/2000
Waters Involved
Branch River
Status
Complete

Manitowoc County: Friends Of Branch Organizational Development: Manitowoc County proposes to assist the Friends of the Branch River become a self-sustaining river organization. Project deliverables include professional facilitator to establish organization goals and objectives; develop bylaws, incorporation, tax exempt status; develop strategy and plan for sustaining membership; develop a training program; develop educational materials; develop funding mechanisms; create a networking system; and conduct stream monitoring to identify improvement needs and utilize public involvement. A final report of project results will be provided to the DNR both electronically and on paper.


Grant Details
River Planning Grant
Date
7/1/2003
Waters Involved
Branch River
Status
Complete

Friends Of The Branch River, Inc.: Branch River Strategic Plan Phase 1: The Friends of the Branch River proposes to develop a strategic plan for the Friends of the Branch River river enhancement project. The project will take place in two phases. This is phase 1 and will include conducting fish habitat assessments, shoreline erosion surveys, water quality monitoring, and fish/crayfish tissue analysis. Information and education materials will be presented to the public throughout the projects. The strategic plan and power point presentation will be submitted to the Department of Natural Resources after completion of phase 2 of the project.

The DNR will be provided with both a paper copy and an electronic copy of the final report. Information will be disseminated to the public as described in the grant application.


Grant Details
River Planning Grant
Date
7/1/2003
Waters Involved
Branch River
Status
Complete

Friends Of The Branch River, Inc.: Branch River Strategic Plan Phase 2: The Friends of the Branch River proposes to develop a strategic plan for the Friends of the Branch River river enhancement project. The project will take place in two phases. This is phase 2 and will include conducting water quality monitoring during baseflow and event conditions, holding facilitated strategic planning workshops, training volunteer river monitors, analyzing monitoring results from both phases, and presenting the conclusions to the public through informational meetings and newspaper articles. The strategic plan and power point presentation will be submitted to the Department of Natural Resources after completion of phase 2 of the project.

The DNR will be provided with both a paper copy and an electronic copy of the final report. Information will be disseminated to the public as described in the grant application.


Grant Details
River Planning Grant
Date
7/1/2011
Waters Involved
Branch River
Status
Complete

Lakeshore Natural Resources Partnership Inc.: Building Capacity For The Friends Of The Branch & Twin Rivers: The Lakeshore Natural Resources Partnership , Inc. proposes to supplement and build on previous work by partners to raise pubic awareness and participation in water stewardship. Specificaly, Lakeshore Natural Resources Partnership will focus on building the capacity and membership of the Friends of the Branch River and Friends of the East and West Twin River groups. Activities for each group include water seminar, an explore and restore river event, river walks, aquatic invasive species control efforts, a paint-out event with the Water's Edge Artists, and several newsletters and newspaper article releases. A strategic plan will be developed for each Friends group. The project elements and deliverables will be completed as described in the project proposal submitted to the Department and dated April 28, 2011.


Grant Details
River Planning Grant
Date
7/1/2012
Waters Involved
Branch River
Status
Complete

Lakeshore Natural Resources Partnership Inc.: Youth Conservation Leadership Program: The Lakeshore Natural Resources Partnership, Inc. shall partner with the Friends of the Branch River to develop a stronger stewardship ethic and leadership in young adults in the Manitowoc River basin with focus on the Branch River and Collins Marsh. Specifically, Lakeshore Natural Resources Partnership will design a youth leadership curriculum and youth project plan, form a youth education advisory council, host Explore and Restore river events, and develop partners to assist with programming events and project implementation. The project elements and deliverables will be completed as described in the project proposal submitted to the Department and dated April 30, 2012.


Grant Details
River Planning Grant
Date
2/15/2016
Waters Involved
Branch River
Status
Complete

Lakeshore Natural Resources Partnership Inc.: Friends Of Branch River Watershed Action Plan: Lakeshore Natural Resources Partnership (LNRP) is sponsoring a project to continue to support the Friends of the Branch River Watershed

Project final deliverables include: all data collected, agendas and minutes for planning meetings, presentations, newsletters and educational materials provided to the public.

Specific project activities include: 1) Holding river clean-up event; 2) Conducting a Project RED event; 3) Hosting volunteer Restore the Shore work day events; 4) Mapping invasive species in the Branch River utilizing the AIS bridge Snapshot day protocols; 5) Hosting several Getting People to the River events; 6) Hosting at least three educational seminars.

This scope summarizes the project detail provided in the application and does not negate tasks/deliverables described therein. Data, records, and reports, including GIS-based maps, and digital images, must be submitted to the Department in a format specified by the regional Rivers Biologist.

If consultant is to provide final report, it is recommended that Grantee provide DNR Rivers Coordinator with a draft for comment on report adequacy prior to making final payment to the consultant. DNR to receive both paper and electronic .pdf copies of the final report along with, or prior to submission of grantee's final payment request.


Monitoring & Projects

Projects including grants, restoration work and studies shown below have occurred in this watershed. Click the links below to read through the text. While these are not an exhaustive list of activities, they provide insight into the management activities happening in this watershed.

Grants and Management Projects
Branch River Watershed
Watershed Recommendations
Best Management Practices, Implement
Bellevue Urban Storm Water Plan Update
Date
Status
This project is an installation of nonpoint source best management practices to contribute to the restoration of Wisconsin?s waters and was funded by the 319 grant. Storm water planning activities will be undertaken by the municipality and will result in the following products: updated storm water management plan for the developed urban area and updated storm water management plan for new development.
1/1/2016
In Progress
Projects
Documents
 
Best Management Practices, Implement
Scott TMDL Storm Water Management Plan
Date
Status
This project promotes nonpoint source best management practices to contribute to the restoration of Wisconsin's waters and was funded by the 319 grant. Storm water planning activities will be undertaken by the municipality and will result in the following products: updated construction erosion control ordinance, updated storm water ordinance for new development and re-development, updated low impact development/conservation subdivision ordinance, updated ordinances that affect runoff from the developed urban area, updated storm water financing mechanism, updated storm water management plan for the developed urban area, and updated storm water management plan for new development.
1/1/2016
In Progress
Projects
Documents
 
Monitor Fish Tissue
Confirm FCA: IW pre-2000 data
Date
Status
71300 name Branch River TMDL ID 614 Start Mile 20.15 End Mile 36.78
11/21/2011
Proposed
 
Monitor Water Quality or Sediment
Monitor Un. Creek (71400) for TP
Date
Status
8/20/2019
Proposed
 
Monitor Water Quality or Sediment
Branch River TP
Date
Status
Category 5A. 2018 TP Results: May Meet. Station: 10017101. AU: 482183.
1/1/2018
Proposed
Projects
 
Stormwater Planning, Implementation
UW Green Bay - Board of Regents MS4 Renewal
Date
Status
This project promotes nonpoint source best management practices to contribute to the restoration of Wisconsin's waters and was funded by the 319 grant. Storm water planning activities will be undertaken by the municipality and will result in the following products: updated storm water management plan for the developed urban area and updated storm water management plan for new development.
1/1/2016
In Progress
Projects
Documents
 
TMDL Development
 
Date
Status
This proposal will help County staff implement actions related to the Clean Water Act and DNR?s targeted performance standards for nonpoint source pollution.
12/9/2009
In Progress
Projects
Documents
 
TMDL Implementation
Silver Lake TMDL
Date
Status
Silver Lake, located in Manitowoc Rapids Township, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, in the Manitowoc River Basin, was listed as impaired due to excess phosphorus. The Lake is nutrient (phosphorus (P)) impaired as a result of agriculture, internal loading and local land use, is listed on the 1998 303(d) list as a high priority water and external load sources are nonpoint source (NPS) dominated. The designated use for Silver Lake is a full recreation, warm water sport fishery. Pollutant export data and information on the soils, topography, and other background information on the Silver Lake watershed is included in the Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Plan for the Sevenmile-Silver Creek Priority Watershed, dated February 1987.
8/1/2007
In Progress
Projects
Documents
 
Branch River WatershedWatershed History Note