Little Plover River, Plover and Little Plover Rivers Watershed (CW12)
Little Plover River, Plover and Little Plover Rivers Watershed (CW12)
Little Plover River (1402100)
4.62 Miles
0.98 - 5.60
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.
Coldwater
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
 
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.
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.
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.
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 I Trout)
Streams supporting a cold water sport fishery, or serving as a spawning area for salmonids and other cold water fish species through natural reproduction. 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.
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.

Overview

Fish and invertebrate kill in September 2005 between Hoover Street and Eisenhower Street. Record low flow for the stream since a gage station was installed in 1957 (has never dried up before). One of the most heavily studied streams and research is ongoing to evaluate monetary and aquatic life impacts. Rained the day after fish kill.
L. Helmuth, 10/9/2005

Date  2005

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Overview

The Little Plover River is classified as a warm water game fishery (Springville Pond) and Class I trout stream. Recent declines in the reproductive success of trout elicit concerns about the causes that are still highly speculative. However, heavy chemical application may be interfering with trout reproduction and trout food sources. Pesticides have been detected in sediments and nitrate concentrations have measured as high as 9.1 ppm. A University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point study determined high-capacity irrigation wells and municipal wells reduce streamflow. Current estimates indicated that agricultural pumping has reduced streamflow by an estimated 10%. A groundwater flow model predicts that by the year 2005, pumping of municipal wells in Plover will reduce the baseflow of the Little Plover by an additional 40%. According to the Portage County Animal Waste Plan, the Little Plover River area is ranked as the most susceptible to groundwater contamination from animal waste sources. This may also hold true for pesticides.
Land use in the upper one third of the Little Plover River Valley includes irrigated farming for corn and potatoes. Expanding subdivisions constitutes the lower two thirds. Soil and wind erosion concerns also occur in this portion of the watershed.

Date  2002

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

The Little Plover River is classified as a warm water ame fishery (Springville Pond) and Class I trout stream. Recent declines in the reproductive success of trout reliats concern about the causes, which are still highly speculative. However, chemicals such as aldicarb, nitrates, nitrogen compounds, or other pesticides or herbicides heavily used in this area may be interfering with trout reproduction or reducing numbers of trout food organisms. Pesticides have been detected in sediments and nitrate values have been as high as 9.1 ppm. Other factors such as drought and excessive pumping of highcapacity irrigation wells may have reduced groundwater flow to the stream, eliminating space and cover. Because of investment in trout habitat improvement projects it is important to initiate a study to determine what, in fact, is happening.

Land use around the Little Plover River includes irrigated farming for corn and potatoes in the upper one third, while expanding subdivisions and home sites characterize the lower two thirds. According to the Portage County Animal Waste Plan, the Little Plover River area is ranked as the most susceptible to groundwater contamination from animal waste sources. This may also hold true for pesticides. Soil and wind erosion also occurs in the sub-watershed.

Date  1991

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Little Plover River, Plover and Little Plover Rivers Watershed (CW12) Fish and Aquatic LifeLittle Plover River, Plover and Little Plover Rivers Watershed (CW12) RecreationLittle Plover River, Plover and Little Plover Rivers Watershed (CW12) 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

Recommendations

Monitor and/or Protect Groundwater, Sourcewater
The Village of Whiting proposes to contract for continued study of alternate municipal water supply wells to lessen the demand on groundwater flow into the Little Plover River in Portage County. Major project elements to include: 1) Review pumping data from existing wells, 2) Estimate capacity of existing water supply system, 3) Identify, study and recommend alternative well sites.
Information and Education
Portage County proposes to contact with Golden Sands RC&D to hire staff to develop a website for the Friends of the Little Plover River, develop water conservation information and education activities, and conduct a formal organizational assessment.
Rivers Management Grant
The Village of Plover proposes to contract for completion of its study of the Little Plover River Watershed in Portage County, with the objective protecting river from diminished flow due to local groundwater demand. Key elements of the project to include: 1) Identification of potential well sites, 2) Collection of hydrological data, 3) Data base research associated with potential sites, 4) Water samples, 5) Area surveys, 6) Mapping, 7) Final report.
Monitor and/or Protect Groundwater, Sourcewater
The Village of Plover, in cooperation with the Village of Whiting and other partners, proposes to contract with Earth Tech for studies associated with the development of a new water supply well; a key objective of the project being protection of the Little Plove River from diminished flow due to local groundwater demand. Key elements of the project to include: 1) Identification of potential well sites, 2) Collection of hydrological data, 3) Data base research associated with potential sites, 4) Water samples, 5) Area surveys, 6) Mapping, 7) Final report.

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

Monitoring Projects

Watershed Characteristics

Little Plover River is located in the Plover and Little Plover Rivers watershed which is 202.19 miĀ². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (41.70%), agricultural (23.60%) and a mix of wetland (18%) and other uses (16.60%). This watershed has stream miles, lake acres and 22,761.70 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Medium for runoff impacts on streams, Medium 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

Little Plover River is considered a Coldwater 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.

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