Wolf River Pond, Middle Wolf River,West Branch Wolf River Watershed (WR14)
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Wolf River Pond, Middle Wolf River,West Branch Wolf River Watershed (WR14)
Wolf River Pond (322500)
212.72 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.
2024
Good
 
Shawano
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

Wolf River Pond, in the Middle Wolf River and West Branch Wolf River Watersheds, is a 212.71 acre lake that falls in Shawano County. This lake is managed for fishing and swimming and is currently not considered impaired.

Date  2011

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

Source: 1968, Surface Water Resources of Shawano County Wolf River Pond, T27N, R15E, Section 25 Surface Acres = 222.7, S.D.F. = 2.01, Maximum Depth = 10 feet.

A hard water impoundment on the Wolf River having slightly alkaline, light brown water of moderate transparency. Sand is the predominant littoral material (55 percent) with muck (40 percent) and some gravel. The shoreline is predominantly upland (85 percent) with the balance being wetland. Northern pike, walleye, largemouth bass, muskellunge, lake sturgeon, perch, bluegill, black crappie, rock bass, black bullhead, and various species of minnows inhabit this impoundment. Carp may also be present. Diving ducks and puddle ducks make limited use of this impoundment on their spring and fall migrations and nesting waterfowl make some use of this area. The City of Shawano maintains a public swimming beach on the east shore. Numerous city streets dead end on this lake; however, boat access is difficult due to the absence of landing ramps. Public access to this impoundment is best gained by navigating the Shawano Lake Outlet from the public boat landing located several hundred feet upstream from the first bridge across this stream. Developments on the shoreline consist of a paper mill, a planning mill, hospital, medical clinic, and 33 dwellings. The east shoreline is within the limits of the City of Shawano and River Heights with a substantial amount of off-lake developments. Water levels are maintained by a water control structure having a head of ten feet and owned by the Shawano Paper Mills.

Date  1968

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

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
Fish Propagation Actions2001

Monitoring Projects

WBICOfficial Waterbody NameStation IDStation NameEarliest Fieldwork DateLatest Fieldwork DateView StationView Data
322500Wolf River Pond 113910050754North of Papermill Dam, Wolf River7/21/20147/21/2014MapData
322500Wolf River Pond 113910019390Wolf River -- Access at Oak Ave And Wolf River Road9/2/20219/2/2021MapData
322500Wolf River Pond 113910052636Wolf River 0.3 miles south of Hwy MMM river crossing, at end of West Pine St. in Shawano6/19/20209/17/2024MapData
322500Wolf River Pond 113910057725Wolf River Pond at Smalley Park8/19/20238/19/2023MapData
322500Wolf River Pond 1139593141Wolf River Pond - Below Old Sth 29 300' Downstream Of Bridge Off E Shore In City8/11/19988/11/1998MapData
322500Wolf River Pond 1139593142Wolf River Pond - 1000' Above Rr Bridge Off West Shore8/11/19988/11/1998MapData
241300Wolf River10047129Wolf River 130 Meters US HWY MMM Bridge9/26/20169/26/2016MapData
322500Wolf River Pond 1139593140Wolf River Pond - 400' Above Shawano Lake Dam East Shore8/11/19988/31/1999MapData
322500Wolf River Pond 1139593122Wolf River Pond - In Shawano At Impoundment Above Dam10/25/199510/25/1995MapData
322500Wolf River Pond 113910005728Wolf River Pond6/1/19949/30/2017MapData
322500Wolf River Pond 113910053257Source Stump fields12/30/201912/30/2019MapData
241300Wolf River10052636Wolf River 0.3 miles south of Hwy MMM river crossing, at end of West Pine St. in Shawano6/19/20209/17/2024MapData
322500Wolf River Pond 113910047129Wolf River 130 Meters US HWY MMM Bridge9/26/20169/26/2016MapData

Watershed Characteristics

Wolf River Pond 1139 is located in the Middle Wolf River watershed which is 133.78 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily wetland (36.10%), agricultural (30.80%) and a mix of forest (18.90%) and other uses (14.40%). This watershed has 209.37 stream miles, 384.45 lake acres and 30,112.00 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked High for runoff impacts on streams, Low 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

Wolf River Pond 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.