Amherst Millpond, Waupaca River Watershed (WR05)
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Amherst Millpond, Waupaca River Watershed (WR05)
Amherst Millpond (268200)
37.52 Acres
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.
Impounded Flowing Water
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.
2021
Good
 
Portage
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.
No
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.
No
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.
No

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.
Impounded Flowing Water
This classification includes waterbodies created by dams (mill ponds, reservoirs, flowages, and other impoundments) with a residence time of 14 days or more (under summer (June – Sept) mean low flow conditions with a 1 in 10 year recurrence interval (US EPA 2000)). Many natural lakes also have dams or water level control structures. However, to be included in the Impounded Flowing Waters category, the dam or water level control structure, must account for more than half of a waterbody’s maximum depth. Impoundments with a residence time of less than 14 days should be covered under the rivers and stream assessment methodology process.
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

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

Amherst Millpond, Waupaca River Watershed (WR05) Fish and Aquatic LifeAmherst Millpond, Waupaca River Watershed (WR05) RecreationAmherst Millpond, Waupaca River Watershed (WR05) Fish Consumption

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

Amherst Millpond CLP Distribution
Lake Water Quality Reports for Amherst Millpond - Center
2020 Comprehensive WQ Assessments
2018 List of Healthy (Category 2) Waters
Lake Bathymetry Map for Amherst Millpond

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

Project Name (Click for Details)Year Started
PORTAGE COUNTY LCD: HLR - Portage County Healthy Lakes and Rivers2024
2018 Local Needs Provost Amherst Millpond2018
2018 Directed Lakes Provost Amherst Millpond2017
Fish Propagation Actions2001

Monitoring Projects

WBICOfficial Waterbody NameStation IDStation NameEarliest Fieldwork DateLatest Fieldwork DateView StationView Data
268200Amherst Millpond503092McDill Pond - Site 26/16/19949/18/1996MapData
268200Amherst Millpond503093McDill Pond - Site 36/16/19949/18/1996MapData
270400Tomorrow River10044193Downstream of Amherst Dam9/24/20159/11/2018MapData
257400Waupaca River10044193Downstream of Amherst Dam9/24/20159/11/2018MapData
268200Amherst Millpond10040059Amherst Millpond - Center7/2/20148/22/2021MapData
268200Amherst Millpond10005121Amherst Millpond7/27/19998/20/2013MapData
268200Amherst Millpond503091Mcdill Pond - Site 111/9/19909/18/1996MapData
268200Amherst Millpond10017950Tomorrow River -- Access5/13/20097/26/2009MapData

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.

Natural Community

Amherst Millpond is considered a Impounded Flowing Water 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.

This classification includes waterbodies created by dams (mill ponds, reservoirs, flowages, and other impoundments) with a residence time of 14 days or more (under summer (June – Sept) mean low flow conditions with a 1 in 10 year recurrence interval (US EPA 2000)). Many natural lakes also have dams or water level control structures. However, to be included in the Impounded Flowing Waters category, the dam or water level control structure, must account for more than half of a waterbody’s maximum depth. Impoundments with a residence time of less than 14 days should be covered under the rivers and stream assessment methodology process.