Portage
No
No
No
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
Amherst Millpond is a shallow, hard water impoundment on the Tomorrow River located in the Village of Amherst. The basic bottom material is sand covered with silt. Many stumps and snags protrude from the water. The Tomorrow River, which serves as both inlet and outlet, is navigable by canoe. The dam is used as a source of power by a feed mill. Carp were abundant prior to 1971 and other fish species present then included northern pike, perch, largemouth bass, black crappie, common sunfish, black bullhead and cannon sucker. At times, trout move into the pond from the river, but do not significantly contribute to the game fish population. Carp have destroyed valuable game fish habitat by uprooting rooted aquatic vegetation and creating very turbid water conditions. As a consequence the stream and mill pond were treated with fish toxicants in 1971 and preferred species restocked. The pond is subject to severe man-induced water level fluctuations from the mill operations. The warm water discharge from this pond adversely affects downstream trout water. It has been recommended that a bottom draw dam be installed to help stabilize downstream temperatures. Access is available by a county park on the east shore. Areas for picnicking and overnight camping are available. Developments consist of a mill, another factory, and twenty dwellings. Wildlife present include muskrats, shore birds, and a few deer. There is no hunting allowed within the village limits.
Source: 1972, Surface Water Resources of Portage County Amherst Millpond, T23N, R10E, Section 22, Surface Acres-24.Q, S.D.F.-4.01, Maximum Depth-5 feet.
Date 1972
Author Aquatic Biologist
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
Recommendations
Monitor Water Quality or Sediment
The data from this proposed Local Needs project will be used in conjunction with the data from the related Directed Lakes project and will allow us to develop a comprehensive analysis of the recent Amherst Millpond transformation and ultimately enhance community awareness and participation in the watershed.
Monitor Water Quality or Sediment
This proposed Directed Lakes project will allow us to monitor the recent changes on the Amherst Millpond. We would like to conduct water sampling, PI aquatic plant survey, and an aquatic invasive species survey. In addition, we are also proposing a Local Needs project for the Amherst 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
Monitoring Projects
WBIC | Official Waterbody Name | Station ID | Station Name | Earliest Fieldwork Date | Latest Fieldwork Date | View Station | View Data |
---|
268200 | Amherst Millpond | 503092 | McDill Pond - Site 2 | 6/16/1994 | 9/18/1996 | Map | Data |
268200 | Amherst Millpond | 503093 | McDill Pond - Site 3 | 6/16/1994 | 9/18/1996 | Map | Data |
270400 | Tomorrow River | 10044193 | Downstream of Amherst Dam | 9/24/2015 | 9/11/2018 | Map | Data |
257400 | Waupaca River | 10044193 | Downstream of Amherst Dam | 9/24/2015 | 9/11/2018 | Map | Data |
268200 | Amherst Millpond | 10040059 | Amherst Millpond - Center | 7/2/2014 | 8/22/2021 | Map | Data |
268200 | Amherst Millpond | 10005121 | Amherst Millpond | 7/27/1999 | 8/20/2013 | Map | Data |
268200 | Amherst Millpond | 503091 | Mcdill Pond - Site 1 | 11/9/1990 | 9/18/1996 | Map | Data |
268200 | Amherst Millpond | 10017950 | Tomorrow River -- Access | 5/13/2009 | 7/26/2009 | Map | Data |
|
![](wsWaterEcosystem.ashx?watershed=WR05)
Watershed Characteristics
Amherst Millpond is located in the Waupaca River watershed which is 290.77 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (43.70%), agricultural (30.40%) and a mix of grassland (14%) and other uses (11.80%). This watershed has 231.34 stream miles, 2,456.10 lake acres and 14,124.68 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked Medium for runoff impacts on streams, Not Ranked 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.