Project Detail

Schoenick Creek Watershed 303(d) Identification and Long Lake Interaction Study - NER_11_CMP14

Purpose

East District water resources biologists are proposing to conduct water quality monitoring on select tributary streams to Long Lake and in the main basin of Long Lake to address water quality concerns in the watershed. Biological stream assessments will occur during, June, July,and August and water chemistry samples will be collected in May-October to assess conditions in the stream for future listing on the 303d list of impaired waters. Water Quality samples will also be collected in Long Lake and the outlet to assess water quality impairments within the lake and how the lake interacts with inflow and outflow water quality of Schoenick Creek.

Objective

Long Lake is recommended for listing on the 303(d) list of impaired water in 2014. The Long Lake Association is concerned that water quality impairments are mainly caused from inflow from Schoenick Creek and other sources upstream in the watershed. Schoenick Creek is located in Shawano County upstream of Long Lake. Water Quality was evaluated in the Schoenick Creek watershed in 2004 and elevated levels of total phosphorous were identified in all streams within the small-sub watershed. No biological data have been collected on these streams however Total Phosphorous levels exceed listing concentrations established in 2012 WisCalm but lack an adequate set of monthly TP samples. Up to 8 sample locations are proposed for collection of biological data and up to 6 sites for water chemistry to collect data for listing under the WisCalm guidance. Controversy regarding the inflow from Schoenick Creek has dated back into the 1970’s. At some point a violation occurred that altered the exact location and flow of Schoenick Creek into the lake and residents are seeking to petition the Department for a Chapter 30 permit to route the stream out of the lake. The biologists seek to demonstrate and understand water quality interactions between Schoenick Creek and Long Lake without having the necessary information to complete a full nutrient budget of the lake and watershed. The collection of TP, TSS and VTSS along with higher frequency flow data will help to understand the interaction between the stream and lake systems. It is also anticipated that select fly over aerial photography will assist in determining the extent to which Schoenick Creek flow disperses throughout the lake during spring and summer runoff events.

Outcome

8 sample sites will be selected to measure continuous temperature, fish, quantitative habitat, and bugs. 6 sites will be selected for monthly total phosphorous sampling between May-October. Lake water quality sampling will occur at spring turnover, May, June, July, and August, September and October. The stream flow dispersion fly over will occur once in spring and once in a summer runoff event. All data will be entered into the fish and habitat database and SWIMS by Hudak or Nordin. A final report will be completed after the second year of biological data collection and analysis. It is anticipated that a second year of biological confirmation sampling and any additional supporting water quality samples will be proposed for the field season of 2015.

Project Type

Competitive Projects

Project Sub Type

Impaired Water Assessment

Project ID

NER_11_CMP14

Year Started

2014

Status

Complete

Reports and Documents

NER_11_CMP14 status 10132016