Bignquinnesec Falls Flowage (Imp), Pemebonwon and Middle Menominee Rivers Watershed (GB15)
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Bignquinnesec Falls Flowage (Imp), Pemebonwon and Middle Menominee Rivers Watershed (GB15)
Bignquinnesec Falls Flowage (Imp) (647500)
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101.21 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.
2017
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

Bignquinnesec Falls Flowage (Imp), in the Unknown watershed, is a 101.21 acre lake that falls in Unknown county. This lake is managed for fishing and swimming and is currently not considered impaired.

Date  2011

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

Source: 1975, Surface Water Resources of Marinette County Big Quinnesec Falls Flowage, T38N, R20E, Section 7

A medium hard water impoundment on the Menominee River having slightly acid, light brown water of moderate transparency. Littoral materials consist of 40 percent sand, 50 percent bouldersand 10 percent rubble. The entire shoreline is upland, consisting of mixed hardwoods and conifers. Fish species inhabiting this flowage 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. The only public access is navigable water access via the inlet; however, a boat landing is maintained for public use by the Wisconsin-Michigan Power Company, which maintains a dam of approximately 50 head feet. There are no dwellings located on the shoreline.

Surface Acres-61.5 (123 total), Secchi Disk-9 feet, Maximum Depth-45 feet

Date  1975

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Bignquinnesec Falls Flowage (Imp), Pemebonwon and Middle Menominee Rivers Watershed (GB15) Fish and Aquatic LifeBignquinnesec Falls Flowage (Imp), Pemebonwon and Middle Menominee Rivers Watershed (GB15) RecreationBignquinnesec 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

2021 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Lower Paint, Peavy Falls, Michigamme Falls, Brule, Twin Falls, Kingsford, Big Quinnesec, Pine, Chalk Hill, White Rapids Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 2072,11830, 2073, 2431, 11831, 2131, 1980, 2486, 2394, 2357 Annual Nuisance Plant Letter and Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2021 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Lower Paint, Peavy Falls, Michigamme Falls, Brule, Twin Falls, Kingsford, Big Quinnesec, Pine, Chalk Hill, White Rapids Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 2072,11830, 2073, 2431, 11831, 2131, 1980, 2486, 2394, 2357 Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2021 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Lower Paint, Peavy Falls, Michigamme Falls, Brule, Twin Falls, Kingsford, Big Quinnesec, Pine, Chalk Hill, White Rapids Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 2072,11830, 2073, 2431, 11831, 2131, 1980, 2486, 2394, 2357 Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2021 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Lower Paint, Peavy Falls, Michigamme Falls, Brule, Twin Falls, Kingsford, Big Quinnesec, Pine, Chalk Hill, White Rapids Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 2072,11830, 2073, 2431, 11831, 2131, 1980, 2486, 2394, 2357 Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2021 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Lower Paint, Peavy Falls, Michigamme Falls, Brule, Twin Falls, Kingsford, Big Quinnesec, Pine, Chalk Hill, White Rapids Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 2072,11830, 2073, 2431, 11831, 2131, 1980, 2486, 2394, 2357 Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2021 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Lower Paint, Peavy Falls, Michigamme Falls, Brule, Twin Falls, Kingsford, Big Quinnesec, Pine, Chalk Hill, White Rapids Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 2072,11830, 2073, 2431, 11831, 2131, 1980, 2486, 2394, 2357 Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2021 Sediment Monitoring P-1759, P-2074, P-2072, P-11831, P-2131
2021 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Lower Paint, Peavy Falls, Michigamme Falls, Twin Falls, Kingsford, and Big Quinnesec Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 11830, 2072, 2073, 11831, 2131, and 1980 Sediment Report
2019 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Lower Paint, Peavy Falls, Michigamme Falls, Brule, Twin Falls, Kingsford, Big Quinnesec, Pine, Chalk Hill, White Rapids Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 2072,11830, 2073, 2431, 11831, 2131, 1980, 2486, 2394, 2357 Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2018 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Lower Paint, Peavy Falls, Michigamme Falls, Brule, Twin Falls, Kingsford, Big Quinnesec, Pine, Chalk Hill, White Rapids Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 2072,11830, 2073, 2431, 11831, 2131, 1980, 2486, 2394, 2357 Annual Nuisance Plant Letter and Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2018 List of Healthy (Category 2) Waters
Final Assessment Data from TSI Package and Assessment Units 2018
2017 Way Dam, Lower Paint, Brule, Twin Falls, Kingsford, Chalk Hill, Hemlock Falls, Michigamme Falls, Peavy Falls, Pine, White Rapids and Big Quinnesec Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2072, 2431, 11831, 2131, 2394, 2074, 2073, 11830, 2486, 2357 and 1980, Annual Nuisance Plant Letter and Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2016 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Lower Paint, Peavy Falls, Michigamme Falls, Twin Falls, Kingsford, and Big Quinnesec Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 11830, 2072, 2073, 11831, 2131, and 1980, Request for Extension of Time Water Quality Monitoring
2016 Way Dam, Lower Paint, Brule, Twin Falls, Kingsford, and Big Quinnesec Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2072, 2431, 11831, 2131, and 1980, Annual Nuisance Plant Letter and Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2015 Brule, Twin Falls, Kingsford, and Big Quinnesec Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2431, 11831, 2131, and 1980, Annual Nuisance Plant Letter ONLY
2014 Way Dam, Lower Paint, Peavy, Brule, Twin Falls, Kingsford, Big Quinnesec, and White Rapids Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2072, 11830, 2431, 11831, 2131, 1980, and 2357, Annual Nuisance Plant Letter and Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2013 Big Quinnesec Falls Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 1980, Purple Loosestrife and Eurasian Watermilfoil Monitoring Report
2013 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Peavy Falls, Lower Paint, Michigamme Falls, Brule, Twin Falls, Pine, Kingsford, Big Quinnesec Falls, Chalk Hill, and White Rapids Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 11830, 2072, 2073, 2431, 11831, 2486, 2131, 1980, 2394, and 2357, Purple Loosestrife and Eurasian Watermilfoil Annual Report Letter and License Order Amendment Request for Purple Loosestrife and Eurasian Water Milfoil Control Surveys
2011 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Lower Paint, Peavy Falls, Michigamme Falls, Twin Falls, Kingsford, and Big Quinnesec Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 11830, 2072, 2073, 11831, 2131, and 1980, Water Quality Monitoring Report
2012 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Peavy Falls, Lower Paint, Michigamme Falls, Brule, Twin Falls, Pine, Kingsford, Big Quinnesec Falls, Chalk Hill, and White Rapids Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 11830, 2072, 2073, 2431, 11831, 2486, 2131, 1980, 2394, and 2357, Annual Nuisance Plant Letter
2012 We Energies Eurasian Water Milfoil Management Plan Summary File 1 of 2
2012 We Energies Eurasian Water Milfoil Management Plan Summary File 2 of 2
Pemebonwon and Middle Menominee Watershed Plan (GB15)
2011 Big Quinnesec Falls Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 1980, Purple Loosestrife and Eurasian Watermilfoil Monitoring Report
2011 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Peavy Falls, Lower Paint, Michigamme Falls, Brule, Twin Falls, Pine, Kingsford, Big Quinnesec Falls, Chalk Hill, and White Rapids Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 11830, 2072, 2073, 2431, 11831, 2486, 2131, 1980, 2394, and 2357, Annual Nuisance Plant Letter
2011 We Energies Eurasian Water Milfoil Management Plan Summary
2010 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Peavy Falls, Lower Paint, Michigamme Falls, Brule, Twin Falls, Pine, Kingsford, Big Quinnesec Falls, Chalk Hill, and White Rapids Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 11830, 2072, 2073, 2431, 11831, 2486, 2131, 1980, 2394, and 2357, Annual Nuisance Plant Letter
Big Quinnesec Fisheries Survey (2009)
2010 We Energies Eurasian Water Milfoil Management Plan Summary File 1 of 8
2010 We Energies Eurasian Water Milfoil Management Plan Summary File 2 of 8
2010 We Energies Eurasian Water Milfoil Management Plan Summary File 3 of 8
2010 We Energies Eurasian Water Milfoil Management Plan Summary File 4 of 8
2010 We Energies Eurasian Water Milfoil Management Plan Summary File 5 of 8
2010 We Energies Eurasian Water Milfoil Management Plan Summary File 7 of 8
2010 We Energies Eurasian Water Milfoil Management Plan Summary File 8 of 8
2010 We Energies Eurasian Water Milfoil Management Plan Summary File 6 of 8
2009 Big Quinnesec Falls Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 1980, Purple Loosestrife and Eurasian Watermilfoil Monitoring Report
2009 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Peavy Falls, Lower Paint, Michigamme Falls, Brule, Twin Falls, Pine, Kingsford, Big Quinnesec Falls, Chalk Hill, and White Rapids Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 11830, 2072, 2073, 2431, 11831, 2486, 2131, 1980, 2394, and 2357, Annual Nuisance Plant Letter
2009 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Peavy Falls, Lower Paint, Michigamme Falls, Brule, Twin Falls, Pine, Kingsford, Big Quinnesec Falls, Chalk Hill, and White Rapids Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 11830, 2072, 2073, 2431, 11831, 2486, 2131, 1980, 2394, and 2357, Order Amending Licenses and Granting Extensions of Time
2009 We Energies Eurasian Water Milfoil Management Plan Summary
2008 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Peavy Falls, Lower Paint, Michigamme Falls, Brule, Twin Falls, Pine, Kingsford, Big Quinnesec Falls, Chalk Hill, and White Rapids Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 11830, 2072, 2073, 2431, 11831, 2486, 2131, 1980, 2394, and 2357, Annual Nuisance Plant Letter
2008 We Energies Eurasian Water Milfoil Management Plan Summary
2007 Big Quinnesec Falls Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 1980, Purple Loosestrife and Eurasian Watermilfoil Monitoring Report
2007 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Peavy Falls, Lower Paint, Michigamme Falls, Brule, Twin Falls, Pine, Kingsford, Big Quinnesec Falls, Chalk Hill, and White Rapids Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 11830, 2072, 2073, 2431, 11831, 2486, 2131, 1980, 2394, and 2357, Annual Nuisance Plant Letter
2007 Big Quinnesec Falls Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 1980, Purple Loosestrife and Eurasian Watermilfoil Monitoring Report
2004 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Lower Paint, Peavy Falls, Michigamme Falls, Twin Falls, Kingsford, and Big Quinnesec Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 2072, 11830, 2073, 11831, 2131, and 1980, Michigan DNR Comments on Purple Loosestrife and Eurasian Watermilfoil Monitoring Reports
2004 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Lower Paint, Peavy Falls, Michigamme Falls, Twin Falls, Kingsford, and Big Quinnesec Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 11830, 2072, 2073, 11831, 2131, and 1980, Order Approving Modifications to Water Quality Monitoring Plans Under Articles 407, 408, and 409
2003 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Lower Paint, Peavy Falls, Michigamme Falls, Twin Falls, Kingsford, and Big Quinnesec Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 11830, 2072, 2073, 11831, 2131, and 1980, Order Approving Modifications to Water Quality Monitoring Plans Under Articles 407, 408, and 409
2003 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Lower Paint, Peavy Falls, Michigamme Falls, Twin Falls, Kingsford, and Big Quinnesec Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 11830, 2072, 2073, 11831, 2131, and 1980, Proposed Modifications to the Water Quality Monitoring Plan
2002 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Lower Paint, Peavy Falls, Michigamme Falls, Twin Falls, Kingsford, and Big Quinnesec Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 11830, 2072, 2073, 11831, 2131, and 1980, Water Quality Monitoring Report
2001 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Lower Paint, Peavy Falls, Michigamme Falls, Twin Falls, Kingsford, and Big Quinnesec Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 11830, 2072, 2073, 11831, 2131, and 1980, Water Quality Monitoring Report Document 3 of 3
2001 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Lower Paint, Peavy Falls, Michigamme Falls, Twin Falls, Kingsford, and Big Quinnesec Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 11830, 2072, 2073, 11831, 2131, and 1980, Water Quality Monitoring Report Document 1 of 3
2001 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Lower Paint, Peavy Falls, Michigamme Falls, Twin Falls, Kingsford, and Big Quinnesec Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 11830, 2072, 2073, 11831, 2131, and 1980, Water Quality Monitoring Report Document 2 of 3
2001 Big Quinnesec Falls Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 1980, Order Issuing New License
2001 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Lower Paint, Peavy Falls, Michigamme Falls, Twin Falls, Kingsford, and Big Quinnesec Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 11830, 2072, 2073, 11831, 2131, and 1980, Order on Offer of Settlement
2000 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Lower Paint, Peavy Falls, Michigamme Falls, Twin Falls, Kingsford, and Big Quinnesec Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 11830, 2072, 2073, 11831, 2131, and 1980, Water Quality Monitoring Plan
1999 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Lower Paint, Peavy Falls, Michigamme Falls, Twin Falls, Kingsford, and Big Quinnesec Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 2072, 11830, 2073, 11831, 2131, and 1980, Upper Menominee River Basin Proposed Post-License Compliance Plans, Document 1 of 2
1999 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Lower Paint, Peavy Falls, Michigamme Falls, Twin Falls, Kingsford, and Big Quinnesec Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 2072, 11830, 2073, 11831, 2131, and 1980, Upper Menominee River Basin Proposed Post-License Compliance Plans, Document 2 of 2
Lake Bathymetry Map for Big Quinnesec Falls Flowage

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
647500Big Quinnesec Falls Flowage10022260Big Quinnesec Falls Flowage9/26/20049/30/2017MapData

Watershed Characteristics

Big 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

Bignquinnesec 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.