Outagamie, Winnebago County, Wisconsin
LF03, LF04, LF06, WATE
117900
32.18 - 40.09
7.91
Water is impaired due to one or more pollutants and associated quality impacts.
Notes
"As many as 360 different chemicals have been found in the water, sediments, fish and wildlife of the Lower Fox River. These chemicals include PCBs, dioxins, furans, mercury, ammonia, DDT and other pesticides (see table on page 6 for more information on these chemicals). The Lower Fox River, which flows northeast for about 39 miles from Lake Winnebago at Neenah-Menasha to the river's mouth at Green Bay, contributes more PCBs to Green Bay and Lake Michigan than any other source?. An estimated 63,000 pounds of the PCBs previously discharged remain in the Lower Fox River. Most of them are downstream of the De Pere dam. An even larger quantity has passed through the Lower Fox River to Green Bay, Lake Michigan and beyond. Results of the intensive ?Mass Balance? study conducted by the DNR and EPA in 1989 showed that about 160,000 pounds of PCBs have already found their way into Green Bay from the Lower Fox. It also showed that about 620 pounds of PCBs enter the bay from the river each year.? p. 2
Excerpt from: ?Draft Studies Completed on Cleanup of PCBs in Lower Fox River Sediments? WDNR Summary Fact Sheet 3/1999.
This water was assessed during the 2014 listing cycle; total phosphorus sample data exceed 2014 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use, however, no biological data (i.e. no macroinvertebrate or fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scores) were available to assess biological impairment).
This water was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; new chloride sample data were clearly below 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Fish and Aquatic Life use.Pollutant
PCBs
Listed For
Fish Consumption
Impairments
PCBs Contaminated Fish Tissue
Current Use
Specific Restricted Fish Consumption
Listing Status
303d Listed
Attainable Use
General Fish Consumption Advice
Priority
Low
Designated Use
General Fish Consumption Advice
303(d) ID
151
Listing Date
4/1/1998
Impaired Water Notes
This impairment listing may become a 4B (EAP Project) for the 2020 list if the project qualifies.
Date
3/26/2018
Impaired Water Notes
Note: Internal tracking lists "EAP" but still considered Category 5A
Date
4/1/2008
Impaired Water Notes
Deposits A through H and POG contain about 1,540 kg (3,395 pounds) of PCBs in about 1.35 million m3 (1.77 million yd3) of sediment with concentrations greater than 50 ìg/kg PCB. RI findings for this reach include the following:
o These deposits cover about 314 hectares (775 acres) and the deposits range up to approximately 1.9 m (6.2 ft) thick.
o The highest total PCB concentration was 222,722 ìg/kg.
o Upstream deposits A, B, and POG have the highest PCB mass to volume ratios in this reach. These three deposits contain 952 kg (2,100 pounds) of the PCBs in about 252,000 m3 (329,600 yd3) of sediment. Also, about 910 kg (2,000 pounds) of the PCBs in these three deposits is present in the upper 100 cm (3.28 ft) of sediment.
o Deposit E contains about 454 kg (1,000 pounds) of PCBs. However, the mass to sediment volume ratios for this deposit is much lower than deposits A, B, and POG.
Habitat associated with this reach include Stroebe Island, located on the northeast side of Deposit E. The wetlands located between Stroebe Island and the river bank are the largest in-river wetlands in this reach. Also, an eagle nest has been observed in this area. Smaller wetland areas are located in the vicinity of deposits A, C, and POG and SAV are present in the shallow waters nearby, including near Deposit B. Two large areas of cuts/coves are present on the west side of Deposit C and just south of Deposit POG. Most of the shoreline in the LLBdM Reach is characterized as either poor or unsuitable for mink.” p. 7-6 & 7-7
Date
1/15/2008
Pollutant
Total Phosphorus
Listed For
Fish and Aquatic Life
Impairments
Low DO
Current Use
Unsupported Aquatic Life
Listing Status
TMDL Approved
Attainable Use
Default - Fish and Aquatic Life
Priority
Not Applicable
Designated Use
Default - Fish and Aquatic Life
303(d) ID
151
Listing Date
4/1/1998
Impaired Water Notes
The Lower Fox River Basin TP and TSS TMDL was approved by the U.S. EPA on May 18, 2012. The TMDL covers 27 waterbody segments impaired by total phosphorus and 18 waterbodies impaired by TSS for a total of 45 TMDLs. These TMDLs address degraded habitat, low Dissolved Oxygen (DO), eutrophication, and turbidity impairments.
Date
5/25/2012
Impaired Water Notes
This water was assessed during the 2014 listing cycle; total phosphorus sample data exceed 2014 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use, however, no biological data (i.e. no macroinvertebrate or fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scores) were available to assess biological impairment).
Date
2/27/2014