Prairie River, Prairie River Watershed (UW30)
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Prairie River, Prairie River Watershed (UW30)
Prairie River (1481200)
8.37 Miles
27.51 - 35.88
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 Headwater, Warm Headwater, COOL-Warm Mainstem
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
 
Lincoln
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.
Prairie River, Prairie River Watershed (UW30) Fish and Aquatic LifePrairie River, Prairie River Watershed (UW30) RecreationPrairie River, Prairie River Watershed (UW30) 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

2020 Comprehensive WQ Assessments
2018 List of Healthy (Category 2) Waters
Comprehensive 2018 River/Stream Water Quality Assessments
Comprehensive 2016 Rivers Stream Assessments
Comprehensive 2014 TP IBI Rivers Assessment
Oneida County Land and Water Resource Management Plan
Pine River Watershed Plan 2011 (CW29)

Recommendations

Land Acquisition
Lincoln County shall participate in the River Protection Program by acquiring 5 acres of land adjoining the Prairie River.
Land Acquisition
Lincoln County shall participate in the River Protection Program by acquiring 5 acres of land adjoining the Prairie River.
Sewer Service Area Planning
This is an April 1996 SSA planning report for the Merrill service area identifies sewer service needs through the year 2015

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
LINCOLN COUNTY: Prairie River Dells Scenic Area Land Acquisition2000
Merrill SSA Plan (April 1996)1995
Fish Propagation Actions2001

Monitoring Projects

WBICOfficial Waterbody NameStation IDStation NameEarliest Fieldwork DateLatest Fieldwork DateView StationView Data
1481200Prairie River10058087R and H Rd to Echo Lake Road8/17/20238/17/2023MapData
1481200Prairie River10020439Prairie River -- Launch off of Hwy 17 North of Hwy CCC5/12/20205/12/2020MapData
1481200Prairie River10052225PRAIRIE RIVER CTY CCC UPSTREAM 1,877 FEET TO FEEDERMapData
1481200Prairie River10052226PRAIRIE RIVER FEEDER UPSTREAM TO BRIDGE DRIVE MapData
1481200Prairie River10020361Prairie River -- Access at Hackbarths Dr Off Sth 175/12/202010/16/2023MapData
1481200Prairie River10020302Prairie River -- Walk-In Access off R and H Rd5/12/20205/12/2020MapData
1481200Prairie River10020363Prairie River -- LaunchMapData
1481200Prairie River10056018Prairie River Downstream of Dagis Road - 2020 Habitat ProjectMapData
1481200Prairie River10044486Prairie River: Project Area 1524 m US from Gleason School ForestMapData
1481200Prairie River10022728Prairie River-Hackbarths Dr Upstream Devices and Control CombinedMapData
1481200Prairie River10022664Prairie River - Hackbarths Dr Upstream DevicesMapData
1481200Prairie River10022662Prairie River - R And H Road Upstream DevicesMapData
1481200Prairie River10020438Prairie River -- Access at Prairie River Fishery Area Bridge Dr5/12/20208/10/2024MapData
1481200Prairie River10056020Prairie River Upstream of Charlie Gross's Bridge - 2021 Habitat ProjectMapData
1481200Prairie River10020362Prairie River -- Walk-In10/23/201410/26/2024MapData
1481200Prairie River10058088Bridge Rd to HWY CCC8/17/20238/17/2023MapData
1481200Prairie River10022658Prairie River- Gleason School ForestMapData
1481200Prairie River10022660Prairie River - Hackbarths Dr Upstream ControlMapData
1481200Prairie River10022665Prairie River - R And H Road Upstream ControlMapData
1481200Prairie River10022657Prairie River - Hackbarths Dr Upstream Half LogsMapData
1481200Prairie River10020373Prairie River -- Access at Hanson Rd Town Of HarrisonMapData

Watershed Characteristics

Prairie River is located in the Prairie River watershed which is 263.99 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (58.80%), wetland (27.20%) and a mix of grassland (5.80%) and other uses (8.20%). This watershed has 273.14 stream miles, 2,082.78 lake acres and 34,162.59 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

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

Prairie River is considered a Cool-Cold Headwater, Warm Headwater, COOL-Warm Mainstem 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 (Cold-Transition) Headwaters are small, usually perennial streams with cold to cool summer temperatures. Coldwater fishes are common to uncommon (<10 per 100 m), transitional fishes are abundant to common, and warm water fishes are uncommon to absent. Headwater species are abundant to common, mainstem species are common to absent, and river species are absent.

Warm Headwaters are small, usually intermittent streams with warm summer temperatures. Coldwater fishes are absent, transitional fishes are common to uncommon, and warm water fishes are abundant to common. Headwater species are abundant to common, mainstem species are common to absent, and river species are absent.