Pokegama River Targeted Watershed Assessment, Douglas County
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Purpose

The Pokegama River watershed (HUC12 040102011602) is located in Douglas County. It flows into Pokegama Bay, which is part of the St. Louis River Estuary. The assessment included: 1. Water quality monitoring to further define nutrient, suspended sediment, and BOD loading. 2. Exploratory TP monitoring to help identify significant TP sources in the watershed, such as tributaries with heavy watershed development, groundwater discharge locations, and wastewater effluent discharges. 3. Fish surveys and macroinvertebrate samples at 6 sites. Monitoring was conducted May through October 2017. Monitoring and report writing was conducted by Craig Roesler and Lisa Helmuth. Standard DNR protocols were followed for all monitoring.

Objective

The Pokegama River has been found to have May-Oct TP concentrations greater than 75 ug/l, Wisconsin's stream standard. The river flows into Pokegama Bay, which is part of the St. Louis River Estuary (SLRE). The estuary is in a Great Lakes Area of Concern (AOC) and is a major restoration target for WDNR and numerous other state and federal agencies. Pokegama Bay is one of the areas with the poorest water quality (TP, TSS) in the SLRE. Sediment core analysis from Pokegama Bay has shown recent TP deposition is very high. A separate project proposed for 2017 assesses water quality and biological conditions in Pokegama Bay. Pokegama River monitoring will dovetail with Pokegama Bay monitoring. Pokegama River monitoring provided summer nutrient loading data. BOD sampling was conducted since dissolved oxygen concentrations are known to be a problem in the upper Bay area. Also, the watershed is 50% wetland; exploratory TP sampling wad conducted to identify significant TP sources in the watershed, such as tributaries with heavy watershed development, groundwater discharge locations, and wastewater effluent discharges. This work helped target TP sources for future control.Specific information for sites to address, including the number of sampling locations, the WBIC of the water bodies to be sampled, and other relevant information, is described in the Study Design section below.

Outcome

Provide a summary sentence describing the project outcome. Identify project deliverables. The project will: 1. Provide information on the contribution of the Pokegama River to summer TP and TSS concentrations in Pokegama Bay. 2. Provide information on the biological condition of the Pokegama River. 3. Provide information on significant TP sources in the Pokegama River watershed. 4. Provide a more detailed assessment of the Pokegama River watershed. A final report will be produced to assess these items. 1) No. of sample sites associated with project = 6 standard sites, plus several more exploratory TP sites TBD in the field. 2) No. of sampling events = 2 in FY17, 6 in FY18 3) Estimated date when sample collection will be complete = 10/31/2017; 2 dates of WQ samples will be in FY17 and 4 dates of WQ samples will be in FY 18. 4) Estimated date for data entry completion = 12/31/2017, except for macroinvertebrate samples which depend on the lab. 5) Estimated date of report completion = 03/30/2018 6) What data base will be used = SWIMS, FH data base 7) Who will be responsible for data entry = Craig Roesler, Madeline Roberts

Study Design

Identify the details of your monitoring design so that the logic behind your monitoring can be understood in light of the project type and purpose. The Pokegama River WBIC is 2844000. An existing SWIMS site is located near the mouth of the river (Pokegama River @ Cemetery Rd, 10032640). Monthly May-Oct sampling will be done at this site for TP, TKN, NH3,NO3+2,TSS, and BOD5. Field parameters including temp, DO, conductivity, transparency, pH, and turbidity will typically be measured at all sites. Another existing SWIMS site (Pokegama R. @ RR tracks 10037303)(an alternate nearby site may be used due to access issues) will be sampled monthly (May-Oct) for TP. Past monitoring has shown a large increase in TP between these 2 sites. Fish surveys and macroinvertebrates samples will be done at these 2 sites and 4 additional sites TBD. Exploratory TP sampling sites are discussed above. Sites are TBD, although the South Superior wastewater lagoon outfall will be one of the sites.

Related Reports

Run Project Summary Report
View Umbrella-Projects
View Related-Projects

Targeted Watershed Approach
Evaluation (TP SSC, Stressor, Bioassess)
North_TWA_1_2017
2017
Complete
 
Reports and Documents
Pokegama River Targeted Watershed Assessment: A Water Quality Plan to Protect Wisconsin Watersheds
Pokegama River TWA A Water Quality Plan to Protect Wisconsin Watersheds (2020) Public Review Draft
pokegama_irondale_163208_excel
pokegama_wwlagoons_10048396_pdf
pokegama_wwlagoons_10048396_pdf
pokegama_wwlagoons_10048396_excel
pokegama_gareth_10039410_pdf
pokegama_gareth_10039410_excel
pokegama_barnes_10043824_pdf
pokegama_barnes_10043824_excel
pokegama_wwlagoons_10048396_pdf2
pokegama_irondale_163208_pdf
Pokegama River, Pokegama River upstream of Village of Superior WW outfall, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form
Pokegama River TWA 2017-2018
Pokegama River, Pokegama River at Gareth Rd, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form
Pokegama River TWA 2017-2018
Unnamed tributary to Pokegama R. 182m DS of STH 105, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form
Pokegama River TWA 2017-2018
Unnamed tributary to Pokegama R. 3m US Irondale Rd , Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form
Pokegama River TWA 2017-2018
Pokegama River, Pokegama River DS Irondale Rd., Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form
Pokegama River TWA 2017-2018
Unnamed tributary of the Pokegama River 6m US of Barnes Rd., Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form
Pokegama River TWA 2017-2018
Pokegama River, Pokegama River US Barnes Road, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form
Pokegama River TWA 2017-2018
Pokegama River US Barnes Road, 2015, Natural Community Validation
Pokegama River US Barnes Road, 2015, Natural Community Validation
2016 Total Phosphorus Monitoring Report - Pokegama Creek - Downstream Of 25th Street_ Nearhardscrabble Quarry Operation_ Approx 50 Meters
Many of Wisconsin’s water quality standards require multiple visits to make an impairment decision. Every year, several streams sites are monitored, and the field data collected during each visit is used to “flag” problem waters. The following year, follow up monitoring is conducted at sites where our data suggests that there might be an impairment, but we do not have the minimum data requirements to make an impairment decisions based on WisCALM guidance.
Pokegama Project Summary
Autogenerated Summary
Pokegama, Little Pokegama, and Red Rivers Water Quality Assessment and 303d Listing Determination
Pokegama Lake Boat Landing
Photo
POKEGAMA RIVER TRIBUTARY, DOUGLAS COUNTY, VILLAGE OF SUPERIOR WWTP USE DESIGNATION
Pokegama River Tributary, Douglas County, Village of Superior WWTP Use Designation File, Multiple Authors, NOR Region, Biological Data, Chemical Data, Physical Data, Map, Photos and Field Forms
POKEGAMA RIVER UNNAMED TRIBUTARY, DOUGLAS COUNTY, DULUTH RAILROAD WWTP USE DESIGNATION
Pokegama River Unnamed Tributary, Douglas County, Duluth Railroad WWTP Use Designation File, Multiple Authors, Maps
 
Activities & Recommendations
Monitor Aquatic Biology
Monitor Fish Community
Monitor Targeted Watershed Area (TWA)
Monitor Water Quality or Sediment
The assessment will include: 1. Water quality monitoring to further define nutrient, suspended sediment, and B.O.D. loading. 2. Exploratory TP monitoring to help identify significant TP sources in the watershed, such as tributaries with heavy watershed development, groundwater discharge locations, and wastewater effluent discharges. 3. Fish surveys and macroinvertebrate samples at 6 sites. Monitoring will be conducted during May through October of 2017
Monitor Watershed (Status,Sources,Impairments)
Monitor or Assess Watershed Condition
 
Watershed
St. Louis and Lower Nemadji River
 
Waters
Pokegama River
Monitoring Data