Water Detail - Mecan River, Mecan River Watershed (UF09)

Mecan River, Mecan River Watershed (UF09)

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Mecan River (155000)

Size

16.13 Miles

Segment

12.84 - 28.97

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.

Cool-Cold Mainstem, Cool-Warm Mainstem, Coldwater, Cool-Warm Headwater

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.

2023

General Condition

Good

County

Marquette, Waushara

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.

Yes

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.

Yes

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.

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.

Supported Aquatic Life

Waters that support fish and aquatic life communities (healthy biological communities).

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.

Cold (Class II Trout)

Streams supporting a cold water sport fishery, or serving as a spawning area for salmonids and other cold water fish species. Representative aquatic life communities, associated with these waters, generally require cold temperatures and concentrations of dissolved oxygen that remain above 6 mg/L through natural reproduction and selective propagation. Since these waters are capable of supporting natural reproduction, a minimum dissolved oxygen concentration of 7 mg/L is required during times of active spawning and support of early life stages of newly-hatched fish.

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.

Cold

Streams capable of supporting a cold water sport fishery, or serving as a spawning area for salmonids and other cold water fish species. Representative aquatic life communities, associated with these waters, generally require cold temperatures and concentrations of dissolved oxygen that remain above 6 mg/L. Since these waters are capable of supporting natural reproduction, a minimum dissolved oxygen concentration of 7 mg/L is required during times of active spawning and support of early life stages of newly-hatched fish.

Historical Description

Mecan River, T15N, RIlE, Section 4, Surface Acres = 145.6, Miles = 30.8, Gradient = 1.7 feet per mile.
A long, fairly large stream meandering generally southeasterly across the county. The river above State Highway 22 is managed for trout and has a moderate gradient and good water quality. Below the highway, northern pike, largemouth bass and panfish are common. On occasion, northern pike penetrate the entire river system and threaten the trout fishery with predation. A barrier was recently installed at the highway bridge to prevent the movement of rough fish and large predator fish upstream. Electrofishing gear has also been employed to remove predators from the trout water. Electric weirs will be installed by spring of 1964. About 4.7 miles of stream are in public ownership as part of 3,081 acres of public hunting and fishing grounds. Most of the stream in Marquette County was traversed by canoe during the course of field investigations.

From: Poff, Ronald J. and Threinen, C.W., 1963. Lake and Stream Classification Project. Surface Water Resources of Marquette County, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.

Date 1963

Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Mecan River, Mecan River Watershed (UF09) Fish and Aquatic Life

Mecan River, Mecan River Watershed (UF09) Recreation

Mecan River, Mecan River Watershed (UF09) Fish Consumption

General Condition

Mecan River was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; new total phosphorus sample data were clearly below the 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Fish and Aquatic Life use. This water was meeting this designated use and was not considered impaired.

Date 2017

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

Mecan River Water Quality Report and Watershed Management Plan

2020 Comprehensive WQ Assessments

2018 List of Healthy (Category 2) Waters

Mecan River, MECAN RIVER AT DIXIE AVE, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Mecan River, Mecan River At Dover Avenue, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Mecan River, Mecan River at 14th Ave, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Mecan River, Mecan River at County E, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Mecan River, MECAN RIVER at CTH B, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Mecan River, Mecan River - 11th Rd Ibi Station 2, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Mecan River, Mecan River - 9th Ave (downstream), Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Mecan River, Mecan River - Cth Y Ibi Station 1, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Mecan River, Mecan River At 100 Yrds South Of W9853 Cypress Rd West Of Cty Y, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Mecan River, Mecan River at Cumberland Rd, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Mecan River, Mecan River-Crystal Lake Access Road, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Comprehensive 2018 River/Stream Water Quality Assessments

2016 Total Phosphorus Monitoring Report - Mecan River HWY 21 Upstream

Mecan River, Mecan River HWY 21 Upstream, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

2015 Total Phosphorus Monitoring Report - Mecan River at Cypress Rd

Comprehensive 2016 Rivers Stream Assessments

Recommendations

Citizen-Based Stream Monitoring

Collect chemical, physical, and/or biological water quality data to assess the current overall stream health. The data can inform management decisions and may be used to identify impaired waters for biennial lists.

Monitor Targeted Watershed Area (TWA)

Mecan TWA Protection

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
Mecan River at Cypress Rd	2006
Mecan River TWA 2019	2019
Fish Propagation Actions	2001

Monitoring Projects

WBIC	Official Waterbody Name	Station ID	Station Name	Earliest Fieldwork Date	Latest Fieldwork Date	View Station	View Data
155000	Mecan River	10010709	Mecan River - Cth Y Ibi Station 1	10/23/1985	5/29/2023	Map	Data
155000	Mecan River	10049295	Mecan River at County E	10/18/2017	10/18/2017	Map	Data
155000	Mecan River	10028746	Mecan River At Dover Avenue	5/19/2008	6/26/2019	Map	Data
155000	Mecan River	10029369	MECAN RIVER AT DIXIE AVE	10/18/2017	6/26/2019	Map	Data
155000	Mecan River	10010707	Mecan River - 11th Rd Ibi Station 2	10/2/2003	9/9/2021	Map	Data
155000	Mecan River	10029339	MECAN RIVER AT 14TH AVE	8/16/2011	1/1/2015	Map	Data
155000	Mecan River	10036536	Mecan River - Area of Open Water			Map	Data
155000	Mecan River	10029334	Mecan River - Miller Property			Map	Data
155000	Mecan River	10051199	Mecan River - NRSA Site			Map	Data
155000	Mecan River	10035577	Mecan River - Area of Open Water			Map	Data
155000	Mecan River	10049296	Mecan River-Crystal Lake Access Road	10/17/2017	5/29/2019	Map	Data
155000	Mecan River	10036217	Mecan River - Area of Open Water			Map	Data
155000	Mecan River	10036456	Mecan River - Area of Open Water			Map	Data
155000	Mecan River	10041822	Mecan River at 14th Ave	7/14/2005	6/26/2019	Map	Data
155000	Mecan River	10039719	Mecan River 800ft US Chaffee Creek confluence	5/10/2011	9/29/2011	Map	Data
155000	Mecan River	10020692	Mecan River At 100 Yrds South Of W9853 Cypress Rd West Of Cty Y	4/29/2006	7/15/2019	Map	Data
155000	Mecan River	10036066	Mecan River - Area of Open Water			Map	Data

Watershed Characteristics

Mecan River is located in the Mecan River watershed which is 148.31 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (48.40%), agricultural (21.30%) and a mix of wetland (20.30%) and other uses (10.00%). This watershed has 166.56 stream miles, 1,837.44 lake acres and 18,622.87 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Not Ranked 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

Mecan River is considered a Cool-Cold Mainstem, Cool-Warm Mainstem, Coldwater, Cool-Warm Headwater 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.

Cool (Warm-Transition) Headwaters are small, sometimes intermittent streams with cool to warm summer temperatures. Coldwater fishes are uncommon to absent, transitional fishes are abundant to common, and warm water fishes are common to uncommon. Headwater species are abundant to common, mainstem species are common to absent, and river species are absent.

Cool (Cold-Transition) Mainstem streams are moderate-to-large but still wadeable perennial streams with cold to cool summer temperatures. Coldwater fishes are common to uncommon, transitional fishes are abundant to common, and warm water fishes are uncommon to absent. Headwater species are common to absent, mainstem species are abundant to common, and river species are common to absent.

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