Water Detail - Pigeon Creek Flowage, Trout Run and Robinson Creeks Watershed (BR04)

Pigeon Creek Flowage, Trout Run and Robinson Creeks Watershed (BR04)

Pigeon Creek Flowage (1701400)

Size

38.83 Acres

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.

Reservoir

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

General Condition

Unknown

County

Jackson

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.

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.

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.

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.

Reservoir

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

The Pigeon Flowage and its watershed are entirely within the Black River State Forest. All silvicultural activities within the Pigeon Creek Flowage watershed should implement appropriate best management practices. Water quality monitoring in 1992 documented moderate phosphorous levels and low chlorophyll levels. Winter dissolved oxygen concentrations were adequate (Sorge). Panfish collected for mercury analysis in 1989 contained moderate levels, given the relatively small size of fish sampled. Fish from this flowage are not listed in the fish consumption advisory. Based on the levels found in panfish, primary game species, such as largemouth bass, should be sampled (Amrhein).

Date 1999

Author Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

This very soft water drainage impoundment is located on Pigeon Creek within the Black River State Forest. The water is alkaline, has a low transparency, and a medium brown color. The water control structure is a combination stoplog-gate valve arrangement. This flowage was formerly managed for brook trout but at present it is being managed for largemouth bass and channel catfish. Bullhead and pumpkinseed are also present. This flowage has a past history of winterkill conditions. There is a multiple use access which includes boat launching, swimming, picnic site, and campground. Mallard and wood duck nesting may be noted and puddle and diving ducks use the flowage while migrating.

Source: 1968, Surface Water Resources of Jackson County Pigeon Creek Flowage, T20N, R2W, Section 16 Surface Acres = 33.5, S.D.F. = 1.60, Maximum Depth = 9.0 feet.

Date 1968

Author Aquatic Biologist

Pigeon Creek Flowage, Trout Run and Robinson Creeks Watershed (BR04) Fish and Aquatic Life

Pigeon Creek Flowage, Trout Run and Robinson Creeks Watershed (BR04) Recreation

Pigeon Creek Flowage, Trout Run and Robinson Creeks Watershed (BR04) 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

2018 List of Healthy (Category 2) Waters

Comprehensive 2016 Lake Reservoir Assessments

Jackson County Surface Water Resources 1968

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 Actions	2001

Monitoring Projects

WBIC	Official Waterbody Name	Station ID	Station Name	Earliest Fieldwork Date	Latest Fieldwork Date	View Station	View Data
1701400	Pigeon Creek Flowage	273029	Pigeon Creek Flowage - Deep Hole	2/19/1992	10/8/1992	Map	Data
1701400	Pigeon Creek Flowage	10002941	Pigeon Creek Flowage - Pigeon Creek Flowage	5/30/1997	7/30/2015	Map	Data
1701400	Pigeon Creek Flowage	273045	Pigeon Creek - Downstream Flowage At Berm	8/1/1996	7/23/1997	Map	Data
1701400	Pigeon Creek Flowage	274001	Pigeon Creek Flowage - Pigeon Creek Flowage	8/8/1979	8/8/1979	Map	Data
1701400	Pigeon Creek Flowage	273142	Pigeon Creek Flowage - Black River State Forest Beach	6/11/2003	8/12/2014	Map	Data
1701400	Pigeon Creek Flowage	10017543	Pigeon Creek Flowage - Landing	2/2/2024	5/22/2024	Map	Data

Watershed Characteristics

Pigeon Creek Flowage is located in the Trout Run and Robinson Creeks watershed which is 216.93 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (72.30%), agricultural (11%) and a mix of wetland (6.70%) and other uses (10.00%). This watershed has 326.05 stream miles, 791.85 lake acres and 17,562.31 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked High for runoff impacts on streams, Not Available 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

Pigeon Creek Flowage is considered a Reservoir 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.