Water Detail - Manitowoc R. So. Branch, South Branch Manitowoc River Watershed (MA05)

Manitowoc R. So. Branch, South Branch Manitowoc River Watershed (MA05)

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Manitowoc R. So. Branch (77900)

Size

12.64 Miles

Segment

0 - 12.64

Natural Community

Natural communities (stream and lake natural communities) represent model results that use predicted flow and temperature based on landscape features and related assumptions. Ranges of flow and temperature associated with specific aquatic life communities (fish, macroinvertebrates) help biologists identify appropriate resource management goals. Wisconsin Natural Communities.

Warm Mainstem, COOL-Warm Mainstem

Year Last Monitored

This is the most recent date of monitoring data stored in SWIMS. Additional surveys for fish and habitat may be available subsequent to this date.

2024

General Condition

Poor

This river is impaired

Impairments include

High Phosphorus Levels, Elevated Water Temperature, PCBs Contaminated Fish Tissue, PCB Contaminated Sediments

Pollutants include

Total Phosphorus, Unknown Pollutant, PCBs

County

Calumet, Manitowoc

Trout Water

Trout Waters are represented by Class I, Class II or Class III waters. These classes have specific ecological characteristics and management actions associated with them. For more information regarding Trout Classifications, see the Fisheries Trout Class Webpages.

Outstanding or Exceptional

Wisconsin has designated many of the state's highest quality waters as Outstanding Resource Waters (ORWs) or Exceptional Resource Waters (ERWs). Waters designated as ORW or ERW are surface waters which provide outstanding recreational opportunities, support valuable fisheries and wildlife habitat, have good water quality, and are not significantly impacted by human activities. ORW and ERW status identifies waters that the State of Wisconsin has determined warrant additional protection from the effects of pollution. These designations are intended to meet federal Clean Water Act obligations requiring Wisconsin to adopt an 'antidegradation' policy that is designed to prevent any lowering of water quality - especially in those waters having significant ecological or cultural value.

Impaired Water

A water is polluted or 'impaired' if it does not support full use by humans, wildlife, fish and other aquatic life and it is shown that one or more of the pollutant criteria are not met.

Yes

Fish and Aquatic Life

Current Use

The use the water currently supports. This is not a designation or classification; it is based on the current condition of the water. Information in this column is not designed for, and should not be used for, regulatory purposes.

Restricted Aquatic Life

Fish and Aquatic Life communities are not fully supported in this ecosystem.

Attainable Use

The use that the investigator believes the water could achieve through managing "controllable" sources. Beaver dams, hydroelectric dams, low gradient streams, and naturally occurring low flows are generally not considered controllable. The attainable use may be the same as the current use or it may be higher.

Default FAL

Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.

Designated Use

This is the water classification legally recognized by NR102 and NR104, Wis. Adm. Code. The classification determines water quality criteria and effluent limits. Waters obtain designated uses through classification procedures.

Default FAL

Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.

Overview

The South Branch of the Manitowoc originates in northeastern Fond du Lac County and flows through
Chilton and Hayton before joining the North Branch to form the main stem of the Manitowoc River. Two
impoundments, Hayton Pond and Chilton Millpond, are on this stream. Common fish species include
smallmouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, bullhead, and carp. Smallmouth bass were stocked below
Chilton Millpond in the 1980s (Meyers 1996). It is unknown if a population was ever established in the
river. Waterfowl make moderate use of the river and adjacent 1,325 acres of primarily wooded wetlands
during spring and fall migrations. The potential biological use of the stream is a warm water sport fishery.
The South Branch of the Manitowoc River was selected as a basin assessment trend monitoring station.
Sampling will begin in January 1996 and run through December, 1996. For more information regarding
this monitoring refer to the Surface Water Quality Report.
Historic reductions in the percentage of forested and wetland vegetation have resulted in a watershed that
lacks adequate opportunities for infiltration and retention of precipitation and snow melt resulting in
flashy runoff which overwhelms existing stream channels and aquatic habitat. This excessive runoff also
strips valuable sediments and nutrients from the terrestrial environment and delivers them to our streams
and lakes where they result in degraded water quality and poorer habitat which can kill sensitive and
intolerant fish and aquatic invertebrates. Flashy runoff also limits the amount of water available to
sustain adequate flows during drought. Restoration efforts should focus on increasing the overall
percentage of forested and wetland vegetation in this watershed to restore a more natural hydrologic
regime and minimize the impacts of flashy runoff and an altered hydrologic regime.
The Water Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with local, State and Federal
agencies, obtains a large amount of data pertaining to the water resources of Wisconsin each year
(Holmstrom 1995). A gauging station is located on the South Branch of the Manitowoc River on the left
bank 100 feet downstream from Weeks Road bridge, at Hayton. The station has been in service since July
1993. The type of data being collected include: chemical, discharge, sediment, and water temperature.
Please refer to the U.S. Geological Survey Water Resource Data Wisconsin Water Year 1995 for specific
data.

From: Willman, Guy and Mike Toneys. 2001. The State of the Lakeshore Basin. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.

Date 2001

Author Michael Toneys

Manitowoc R. So. Branch, South Branch Manitowoc River Watershed (MA05) Fish and Aquatic Life

Manitowoc R. So. Branch, South Branch Manitowoc River Watershed (MA05) Recreation

Manitowoc R. So. Branch, South Branch Manitowoc River Watershed (MA05) Fish Consumption

Impaired Waters

The South Branch Manitowoc River from its mouth to State Road bridge in Chilton (miles 0 to 12.64) was put on the Impaired Waters List for PCB contaminated sediment and fish tissue in the 1998 cycle. In the 2012 cycle high phosphorus was identified as an additional pollutant. In the 2016 it was also listed for elevated water temperature. Evaluations every two-year cycle from 2012 to 2022 confirmed the phosphorus listing.

The South Branch Manitowoc River from State Road bridge in Chilton to its headwaters (miles 12.64 to 36.58) was put on the impaired waters list for phosphorus and degraded biology in 2016. Elevated phosphorus was confirmed in the 2018 cycle.

Date 2022

Author Ashley Beranek

Condition

Wisconsin has over 84,000 miles of streams, 15,000 lakes and milllions of acres of wetlands. Assessing the condition of this vast amount of water is challenging. The state's water monitoring program uses a media-based, cross-program approach to analyze water condition. An updated monitoring strategy (2015-2020) is now available. Compliance with Clean Water Act fishable, swimmable standards are located in the Executive Summary of Water Condition in 2018. See also the 'monitoring and projects' tab.

Reports

Pine Creek Algal Abundance field data sheet 2024

Pine Creek algal abundance 2023

2020 Comprehensive WQ Assessments

2018 Total Phosphorus Monitoring Report - South Branch Manitowoc River at Main St

2018 Total Phosphorus Monitoring Report - Manitowoc River South Branch at Lemke Road

2017 Total Phosphorus Monitoring Report - Manitowoc River South Branch at Lemke Rd

Final Draft 2018 Impaired Waters List

South Branch Manitowoc River Downstream of Hayton Dam Sediment Assessment Results

Comprehensive 2018 River/Stream Water Quality Assessments

Baseline Wadeable Streams Continuous Temperature Monitoring Results 2005-2006

Comprehensive 2016 Rivers Stream Assessments

South Branch Manitowoc River monitoring

AIS Bridge Snapshot Day 2014 Data Form [South Branch Manitowoc - Chilton Library]

AIS Bridge Snapshot Day 2014 Data Form [South Branch Manitowoc - H]

AIS Bridge Snapshot Day 2014 Data Form [South Branch Manitowoc - Irish Rd]

AIS Bridge Snapshot Day 2014 Data Form [South Branch Manitowoc - Lemke Rd]

AIS Bridge Snapshot Day 2014 Data Form [South Branch Manitowoc - St. Charles Rd]

Rivers TP Summary 2012

2006 Baseline Wadeable Streams Continuous Temperature Monitoring Results

2005 Baseline Wadeable Streams Continuous Temperature Monitoring Results

UNNAMED TRIBUTARY TO SOUTH BRANCH OF MANITOWOC RIVER, CALUMET COUNTY, FOREMOST FARMS WWTP USE DESIGNATION

MANITOWOC RIVER, SOUTH BRANCH, CALUMET COUNTY, CHILTON WWTP USE DESIGNATION

Calumet County Surface Water Resources 1971

Recommendations

Monitor or Propose 303(d) Listing

The Calumet County Land and Water Resources Managemenmt plan recommended adding the South Branch Manitowoc River to the DNR's impaired waters list. This assessment would collect total phosphorus samples and biological data to determine if the river could be placed on the impaired waters list in 2014. I would collect total phosphorus 6 times between May and October 2012 at one location. I would collect macroinvertebrate, fish, and habitat at two locations on the South Branch upstream of the Chilton Millpond.

Management Goals

Wisconsin's Water Quality Standards provide qualitative and quantitative goals for waters that are protective of Fishable, Swimmable conditions [Learn more]. Waters that do not meet water quality standards are considered impaired and restoration actions are planned and carried out until the water is once again fishable and swimmable

Management goals can include creation or implementation of a Total Maximum Daily Load analysis, a Nine Key Element Plan, or other restoration work, education and outreach and more. If specific recommendations exist for this water, they will be displayed below online.

Monitoring

Monitoring the condition of a river, stream, or lake includes gathering physical, chemical, biological, and habitat data. Comprehensive studies often gather all these parameters in great detail, while lighter assessment events will involve sampling physical, chemical and biological data such as macroinvertebrates. Aquatic macroinvertebrates and fish communities integrate watershed or catchment condition, providing great insight into overall ecosystem health. Chemical and habitat parameters tell researchers more about human induced problems including contaminated runoff, point source dischargers, or habitat issues that foster or limit the potential of aquatic communities to thrive in a given area. Wisconsin's Water Monitoring Strategy was recenty updated.

Grants and Management Projects

Project Name (Click for Details)	Year Started
CALUMET COUNTY: Meyer Groundwater Improvement	2004
South Branch Manitowoc River Assessment - NER_03_CMP13	2012
CHILTON LAKE DISTRICT: COMP-CHilton Millpond Comprehensive Management Planning Project	2022

Monitoring Projects

WBIC	Official Waterbody Name	Station ID	Station Name	Earliest Fieldwork Date	Latest Fieldwork Date	View Station	View Data
77900	South Branch Manitowoc River	10042905	S Br Manitowoc River at Chilton Library	9/13/2014	8/8/2024	Map	Data
77900	South Branch Manitowoc River	10001964	Hayton Millpond (Manitowoc River South Branch)	6/15/1995	6/15/1995	Map	Data
77900	South Branch Manitowoc River	083112	South Branch Manitowoc River - Near Chilton WI	10/3/1989	9/10/2016	Map	Data
77900	South Branch Manitowoc River	083108	Manitowoc River South Branch at Lemke Road-Upstream 50 Ft Of Bridge On Rdb	10/7/2003	10/7/2003	Map	Data
77900	South Branch Manitowoc River	083065	Manitowoc River South Branch - Downstream Of State Highway 57	9/4/1991	1/1/2015	Map	Data
77900	South Branch Manitowoc River	363375	Manitowoc River South Branch at Lemke Road	1/16/1996	10/15/2024	Map	Data
77900	South Branch Manitowoc River	10022754	South Branch Manitowoc River			Map	Data
81200	Chilton Millpond 75	083053	Chilton Mill Pond - Chilton Mill Pond East End	3/23/1993	6/8/1993	Map	Data
77900	South Branch Manitowoc River	083055	Manitowoc River South Branch - Above Hayton Pond			Map	Data
77900	South Branch Manitowoc River	10016521	South Branch Manitowoc Ri - 0	10/30/1996	10/30/1996	Map	Data
77900	South Branch Manitowoc River	10015665	S. Branch Manitowoc River - Irish Rd Crossing	8/8/2006	8/8/2006	Map	Data
77900	South Branch Manitowoc River	10007721	Chilton Millpond at Cth F	4/26/2022	2/13/2023	Map	Data
77900	South Branch Manitowoc River	083064	Manitowoc River South Branch - Below Hayton D	7/25/1995	1/17/2002	Map	Data
77900	South Branch Manitowoc River	10001963	Manitowoc River South Branch - Bel Chilton Stp	9/4/1991	9/4/1991	Map	Data
77900	South Branch Manitowoc River	083109	Manitowoc River South Branch at Lemke Rd-Upstream 300 Ft Of Bridge Off Ldb	8/25/1997	8/17/2019	Map	Data
77900	South Branch Manitowoc River	10038050	HAYTON MILLPOND SOUTH BRANCH MANITOWOC RIVER - 300 FEET DOWNSTREAM WEEKS RD	9/1/1993	9/1/1993	Map	Data
77900	South Branch Manitowoc River	10041404	S. Branch Manitowoc River ~3900 Ft DS Weeks Rd	7/31/2014	7/29/2015	Map	Data
77900	South Branch Manitowoc River	10041406	S Branch Manitowoc River 4772 ft DS Weeks Rd	7/31/2014	7/31/2014	Map	Data
77900	South Branch Manitowoc River	10037599	WITILL-1113 wetland			Map	Data
77900	South Branch Manitowoc River	083001	Manitowoc River South Branch - A Brg Lemke Rd			Map	Data
77900	South Branch Manitowoc River	083039	Manitowoc River South Branch Of The - Chilton Metal Products Outfl 001	8/8/1978	8/8/1978	Map	Data
77900	South Branch Manitowoc River	083038	Manitowoc River South Branch Of The - Carnation Co.Chilton Outfall 001	2/16/1978	1/25/1979	Map	Data
77900	South Branch Manitowoc River	10041407	S Branch Manitowoc River 5188 ft DS Weeks Rd	7/31/2014	7/31/2014	Map	Data
77900	South Branch Manitowoc River	10034738	South Branch Manitowoc River at Grand St.	1/1/2015	1/1/2015	Map	Data
77900	South Branch Manitowoc River	10001965	Manitowoc River South Branch - Btw 57 And Y			Map	Data
77900	South Branch Manitowoc River	10001962	Manitowoc River South Branch - Abv Chilton			Map	Data
77900	South Branch Manitowoc River	083059	South Br Manitowoc River DS Weeks Rd	6/30/1993	5/28/2003	Map	Data
77900	South Branch Manitowoc River	10044175	South Branch Manitowoc River upstream of Hayton Millpond	8/25/2015	8/25/2015	Map	Data
77900	South Branch Manitowoc River	083187	South Branch Manitowoc River at Main St	7/25/2013	10/2/2018	Map	Data
77900	South Branch Manitowoc River	083120	Manitowoc River South Branch - State St			Map	Data

Watershed Characteristics

South Branch Manitowoc River is located in the South Branch Manitowoc River watershed which is 189.10 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (60.30%), wetland (17.60%) and a mix of grassland (14.10%) and other uses (8.10%). This watershed has 228.03 stream miles, 86.31 lake acres and 21,287.68 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked High for runoff impacts on streams, High for runoff impacts on lakes and High for runoff impacts on groundwater and therefore has an overall rank of High. This value can be used in ranking the watershed or individual waterbodies for grant funding under state and county programs.However, all waters are affected by diffuse pollutant sources regardless of initial water quality. Applications for specific runoff projects under state or county grant programs may be pursued. For more information, go to surface water program grants.

Natural Community

Manitowoc R. So. Branch is considered a Warm Mainstem, COOL-Warm Mainstem under the state's Natural Community Determinations.

Natural communities (stream and lake natural communities) represent model results and DNR staff valiation processes that confirm or update predicted conditions based on flow and temperature modeling from historic and current landscape features and related variables. Predicated flow and temperatures for waters are associated predicated fish assemblages (communities). Biologists evaluate the model results against current survey data to determine if the modeled results are corect and whether biological indicators show water quaity degradation. This analysis is a core component of the state's resource management framework. Wisconsin's Riverine Natural Communities.

Warm Mainstem waters are moderate-to-large but still wadeable perennial streams with relatively warm summer temperatures. Coldwater fishes are absent, transitional fishes are common to uncommon, and warm water fishes are abundant to common. Headwater species are common to absent, mainstem species are abundant to common, and river species are common to absent.

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