Little Quinnesec Falls Flowage (Imp), Pemebonwon and Middle Menominee Rivers Watershed (GB15)
Return to Search
Little Quinnesec Falls Flowage (Imp), Pemebonwon and Middle Menominee Rivers Watershed (GB15)
Little Quinnesec Falls Flowage (Imp) (647300)
Go to Lakes Page
323.18 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.
Deep Lowland
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
Good
 
Marinette
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.
Deep Lowland
Deep lowland lake describes the depth and location of the lake in a watershed. These variables affect the lakes response to watershed variables.
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

Quinnesec Falls Flowage is a medium hard water drainage lake (impoundment) on theMenominee River having a slightly acid, light brown water of moderate transparency Littoral materials consist of sand (50 percent), gravel (10 percent) and boulders (40 percent). The shoreline is 60 percent wetland, composed of conifer, shrub and hardwood, and 40 percent upland consisting of mixed hardwoods and conifers. Known fish species inhabiting this lake are northern pike, walleye, largemouth bass, bluegill and perch. Puddle ducks and diving ducks make moderate use of this flowage on their spring and fall migrations. Navigable water type public access is available via the inlet. No dwellings are located on the shoreline. The dam is maintained by the Kimberly-Clark Paper Company and has a head of 68 feet. This flowage is boundary water with Michigan and the actual water area is listed in parentheses.

Surface Acres-33.5 (67 total acres), Secchi Disk-7 feet, Maximum Depth-40 feet
Source: 1975, Surface Water Resources of Marinette County Little Quinnesec Falls Flowage, T38N, R20E, Section 10

Date  1975

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Little Quinnesec Falls Flowage (Imp), Pemebonwon and Middle Menominee Rivers Watershed (GB15) Fish and Aquatic LifeLittle Quinnesec Falls Flowage (Imp), Pemebonwon and Middle Menominee Rivers Watershed (GB15) RecreationLittle Quinnesec Falls Flowage (Imp), Pemebonwon and Middle Menominee Rivers Watershed (GB15) 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

2019 Little Quinnesec Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2536, Exotic Species Monitoring Report
2018 Little Quinnesec Falls Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2536, Updated Land and Wildlife Management Plan
2018 List of Healthy (Category 2) Waters
Final Assessment Data from TSI Package and Assessment Units 2018
2017 Little Quinnesec Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2536, Exotic Species Monitoring Report
2016 Little Quinnesec Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2536, Draft Water Quality Study Report
2016 (2011) Little Quinnesec Falls Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2536, Order Approving Five-year Water Quality Monitoring Report Pursuant to Article 406
2015 Little Quinnesec Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2536, Exotic Species Monitoring Reports
Little Quinnesec Lake Marinette County Milfoil Results 9-2-2015
AIS Early Detection 2015 Data Form Little Quinnesec Falls Flowage 647300
Milfoil genetic samples from boarder lakes (MIWI)
2013 Little Quinnesec Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2536, 2013 Exotic Species Monitoring Reports
Report of Milfoil Weevil Monitoring and Eurasian Water-milfoil Management for the Little Quinnesec Falls Hydroelectric Project for 2013 [FERC Hydro Project No. 2536, Little Quinnesec Falls]
2013 Little Quinnesec Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2536, Exotic Species Monitoring Reports
2011 Little Quinnesec Falls Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2536, Water Quality Study Report
2012 Little Quinnesec Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2536, Order Modifying Exotic Species Plan Pursuant to Article 409
Pemebonwon and Middle Menominee Watershed Plan (GB15)
2011 Little Quinnesec Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2536, Exotic Species Monitoring Reports
2011 Little Quinnesec Falls Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2536, Order Approving Milfoil Weevil Monitoring and Eurasian Watermilfoil Adaptive Management Plan
2010 Little Quinnesec Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2536, Exotic Species Monitoring Reports
2010 Little Quinnesec Falls Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2536, Milfoil Weevil Monitoring and Eurasian Watermilfoil Adaptive Management Plan
2009 Little Quinnesec Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2536, Exotic Species Monitoring Report
2009 Little Quinnesec Falls Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2536, Order Approving Transfer of License
2008 Little Quinnesec Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2536, Exotic Species Monitoring Report
2007 Little Quinnesec Falls Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2536, Order Approving Five-Year Water Quality Monitoring Report Pursuant to Article 406
2007 Little Quinnesec Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2536, Order Modifying and Approving Eurasian Watermilfoil Control Plan Pursuant to Article 409
2006 Little Quinnesec Falls Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2536, Water Quality Monitoring Report
2006 Little Quinnesec Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2536, Exotic Species Monitoring Report
2007 Little Quinnesec Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2536, Exotic Species Monitoring Report
2005 Little Quinnesec Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2536, Exotic Species Monitoring Report and Approval Request for Eurasian Milfoil Control Plan
2004 Little Quinnesec Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2536, Exotic Species Monitoring Report
2003 Little Quinnesec Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2536, Exotic Species Monitoring Report
2002 Little Quinnesec Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2536, Order Modifying and Amending Water Quality Monitoring Plan
2002 Little Quinnesec Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2536, Exotic Species Monitoring Report
2001 Little Quinnesec Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2536, Water Quality Monitoring Report and Request for Update to Water Quality Monitoring Plan
2001 Little Quinnesec Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2536, Exotic Species Monitoring Report
2001 Little Quinnesec Falls Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2536, Order Approving Transfer of License
2000 Little Quinnesec Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2536, Exotic Species Monitoring Report
1999 Little Quinnesec Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2536, Exotic Species Monitoring Report
1999 Little Quinnesec Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2536, Order Approving Water Quality Monitoring Plan
1998 Little Quinnesec Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2536, Exotic Species Monitoring Report
1998 Little Quinnesec Falls Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2536, Order Approving Transfer of License
1998 Little Quinnesec Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2536, Order Modifying and Approving Purple Loosestrife and Eurasian Watermilfoil Monitoring Plan
1997 Little Quinnesec Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2536, Exotic Species Monitoring and Control Plan (License Article 409 Compliance)
1997 Little Quinnesec Falls Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2536, Submittal of Water Quality Monitoring Plan
1997 Little Quinnesec Falls Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2536, Order Issuing New License (Major Project)

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

Monitoring Projects

WBICOfficial Waterbody NameStation IDStation NameEarliest Fieldwork DateLatest Fieldwork DateView StationView Data
647300Little Quinnesec Falls Flowage10016117Menominee River - Gb-Me6 M6 Niagara6/8/19936/8/1993MapData
647300Little Quinnesec Falls Flowage10019989Little Quinnesec Falls Flowage -- Access Niagara7/28/20107/20/2023MapData
647300Little Quinnesec Falls Flowage383287Menominee River - Little Quinnesec DamMapData
647300Little Quinnesec Falls Flowage383143Menominee River - Niagara Ush 1414/18/19914/27/1993MapData
647300Little Quinnesec Falls Flowage10022256Little Quinnesec Falls Flowage9/11/19947/10/2023MapData

Watershed Characteristics

Little Quinnesec Falls Flowage is located in the Pemebonwon and Middle Menominee Rivers watershed which is 290.80 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (64.30%), wetland (25.90%) and a mix of grassland (6.20%) and other uses (3.70%). This watershed has 341.53 stream miles, 1,078.33 lake acres and 37,891.92 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Unknown for runoff impacts on streams, Unknown for runoff impacts on lakes and Unknown for runoff impacts on groundwater and therefore has an overall rank of Unknown. 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

Little Quinnesec Falls Flowage (Imp) is considered a Deep Lowland 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.

Deep lowland lake describes the depth and location of the lake in a watershed. These variables affect the lakes response to watershed variables.