Big Falls Flowage, Lower Flambeau River Watershed (UC07)
Return to Search
Big Falls Flowage, Lower Flambeau River Watershed (UC07)
Big Falls Flowage (2230100)
281.43 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.
Impounded Flowing Water
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.
2019
Good
 
Rusk
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.
Impounded Flowing Water
This classification includes waterbodies created by dams (mill ponds, reservoirs, flowages, and other impoundments) with a residence time of 14 days or more (under summer (June – Sept) mean low flow conditions with a 1 in 10 year recurrence interval (US EPA 2000)). Many natural lakes also have dams or water level control structures. However, to be included in the Impounded Flowing Waters category, the dam or water level control structure, must account for more than half of a waterbody’s maximum depth. Impoundments with a residence time of less than 14 days should be covered under the rivers and stream assessment methodology process.
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

Big Falls Flowage - Flambeau River (UC07) - Near Ladysmith, the Big Falls Hydropower Project forms the Big Falls Flowage. The operation of the Big Falls Hydro facility influences the hydraulic regime, which can result in wide fluctuations of river flows that affect water resource functional values.

Larson, Nancy and Lisa Kosmond (Helmuth). 1996. Upper Chippewa River Basin Water Quality Management Plan.
PUBL-WR-345-96-REV. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.

Date  1996

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

Source: 1971, Surface Water Resources of Rusk County Big Falls Flowage, T36N, R5W, Section 35

A soft water drainage impoundment on the Flambeau River. A 50-foot high dam at its outlet is operated by the Lake Superior District Power Company. There is an abundant walleye population in the flowage and smallmouth bass and northern pike are common. Other species include muskellunge, perch, largemouth bass, bluegills, black crappies, rock bass, pumpkinseed, rock sturgeon and channel catfish. There is one small feeder to the flowage (Section 19, T36N, R4W) which is trout water (Class 1b). There is use of the flowage both by waterfowl and furbearers. Almost the entire shoreline is wooded. At present there is one resort and seven cottages on the flowage. Public frontage consists of 0.15 mile U.S.A. lands, and there is a public access at the east end of the dam site.

Surface Acres = 369.3, Maximum Depth = 45 feet, M.P.A. = 37 ppm, Secchi disk = 4 feet

Date  1971

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Big Falls Flowage, Lower Flambeau River Watershed (UC07) Fish and Aquatic LifeBig Falls Flowage, Lower Flambeau River Watershed (UC07) RecreationBig Falls Flowage, Lower Flambeau River Watershed (UC07) 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 Big Falls and Thornapple Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project Nos. 2390 & 2475, Water Quality Monitoring Report
2021 Big Falls and Thornapple Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project Nos. 2390 & 2475, Water Quality Monitoring Report
2021 Big Falls and Thornapple Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project Nos. 2390 & 2475 Articles 404 & 406, Water Quality Monitoring Report
2021 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2020 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2020 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2020 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2020 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2020 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2019 Big Falls and Thornapple Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project Nos. 2390 & 2475, Water Quality Monitoring Report
2020 Big Falls and Thornapple Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project Nos. 2390 & 2475, Water Quality Monitoring Report
2019 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2020 Comprehensive WQ Assessments
2018 Big Falls and Thornapple Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project Nos. 2390 & 2475, Water Quality Monitoring Report
2018 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2018 List of Healthy (Category 2) Waters
Final Assessment Data from TSI Package and Assessment Units 2018
2017 Big Falls and Thornapple Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project Nos. 2390 and 2475, Water Quality Monitoring Report
2017 Big Falls and Thornapple Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project Nos. 2390 and 2475, Water Quality Monitoring Report
2017 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2016 Big Falls and Thornapple Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project Nos. 2390 and 2475, Water Quality Monitoring Report
2016 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2015 Big Falls and Thornapple Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project Nos. 2390 and 2475, Water Quality Monitoring Report
2015 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2014 Big Falls and Thornapple Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project Nos. 2390 and 2475, Water Quality Monitoring Report
2014 Water Quality Monitoring Report Big Falls (P-2390-01), Thornapple (P-2475) & Turtle-Flambeau (P-2390-02)
2014 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2013 Big Falls and Thornapple Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project Nos. 2390 and 2475, Water Quality Monitoring Report
Letter to WDNR about] 2013 Water Quality Monitoring Report for Big Falls Flowage, Thornapple Flowage, and Turtle-Flambeau Flowage
2013 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2012 Big Falls and Thornapple Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project Nos. 2390 and 2475, Water Quality Monitoring Report
2012 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2011 Big Falls and Thornapple Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project Nos. 2390 and 2475, Water Quality Monitoring Report
2011 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
Flambeau River Flowages Sediment Assessment 2010
2010 Big Falls and Thornapple Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project Nos. 2390 and 2475, Water Quality Monitoring Report
2010 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2010 Turtle-Flambeau Storage Reservoir / Big Falls Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2390, Invasive Species Management Plan for the Turtle Flambeau Storage Reservoir
2009 Big Falls and Thornapple Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project Nos. 2390 and 2475, Water Quality Monitoring Report
Rusty Crawfish Identification 2009
2009 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2008 Big Falls and Thornapple Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project Nos. 2390 and 2475, Water Quality Monitoring Report
2008 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
Big Falls Flowage, Rusk County - Aquatic Plant Sampling Map (1)(52 mpts)
Big Falls Flowage, Rusk County - Aquatic Plant Sampling Map (2)(52 mpts)
Big Falls Flowage, Rusk County - Aquatic Plant Sampling Map (3)(52 mpts)
Big Falls Flowage, Rusk County - Aquatic Plant Sampling Map (4)(52 mpts)
Big Falls Flowage, Rusk County - Aquatic Plant Sampling Map (52 mpts)
Big Falls Flowage, Rusk County - Garmin Text File
2007 Big Falls and Thornapple Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project Nos. 2390 and 2475, Water Quality Monitoring Report
2007 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2006 Big Falls and Thornapple Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project Nos. 2390 and 2475, Water Quality Monitoring Report
2006 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2005 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2004 Big Falls and Thornapple Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project Nos. 2390 and 2475, Water Quality Monitoring Report
2004 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2003 Big Falls and Thornapple Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project Nos. 2390 and 2475, Water Quality Monitoring Report
2003 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2002 Big Falls and Thornapple Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project Nos. 2390 and 2475, Water Quality Monitoring Report
2002 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2001 Big Falls and Thornapple Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project Nos. 2390 and 2475, Water Quality Monitoring Report
2001 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2000 Big Falls and Thornapple Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project Nos. 2390 and 2475, Water Quality Monitoring Report
2000 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
1998/1999 Big Falls and Thornapple Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390 and 2475, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
1999 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
1998 Big Falls and Thornapple Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390 and 2475, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
1997 Big Falls Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2390, Order Approving Water Quality Monitoring Plan
1997 Big Falls Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2390, Order Approving Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Plan
1997 Big Falls and Thornapple Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project Nos. 2390 and 2475, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Plan
1997 Big Falls Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2390, Order Issuing New License (Major Project)
Lake Bathymetry Map for Big Falls Flowage

Recommendations

Sediment Remediation Phase 2 - Extent Assessment
Assessment of the extent of metal sediment contamination in Flambeau River Flowages.

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
Flambeau River Flowage Sediment Monitoring - NOR16_10 2009

Monitoring Projects

WBICOfficial Waterbody NameStation IDStation NameEarliest Fieldwork DateLatest Fieldwork DateView StationView Data
2230100Big Falls Flowage10031189Big Falls Flowage middle area4/23/20109/17/2013MapData
2230100Big Falls Flowage10047538Dairy Center Boat LandingMapData
2230100Big Falls Flowage158Flambeau River - Big Falls FlowageMapData
2230100Big Falls Flowage553054Big Falls Flowage - Deep Hole12/23/19768/27/2019MapData
2230100Big Falls Flowage10031188Big Falls Flowage lower end4/23/20104/23/2010MapData
2230100Big Falls Flowage553152Big Falls Flowage - Deep Hole6/27/19899/4/2003MapData
2230100Big Falls Flowage10005365Big Falls Flowage8/29/20009/21/2017MapData
2230100Big Falls Flowage10018298Big Falls Flowage -- AccessMapData
2230100Big Falls Flowage553189Flambeau River - Big Falls FlMapData

Watershed Characteristics

Big Falls Flowage is located in the Lower Flambeau River watershed which is 128.62 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (56.40%), wetland (23.20%) and a mix of grassland (6.50%) and other uses (13.70%). This watershed has 152.37 stream miles, 252.03 lake acres and 13,319.28 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Not Ranked for runoff impacts on streams, Low 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

Big Falls Flowage is considered a Impounded Flowing Water 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.

This classification includes waterbodies created by dams (mill ponds, reservoirs, flowages, and other impoundments) with a residence time of 14 days or more (under summer (June – Sept) mean low flow conditions with a 1 in 10 year recurrence interval (US EPA 2000)). Many natural lakes also have dams or water level control structures. However, to be included in the Impounded Flowing Waters category, the dam or water level control structure, must account for more than half of a waterbody’s maximum depth. Impoundments with a residence time of less than 14 days should be covered under the rivers and stream assessment methodology process.