Namekagon River, Upper Namekagon River Watershed (SC22)
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Namekagon River, Upper Namekagon River Watershed (SC22)
Namekagon River (2689500)
11.84 Miles
74.16 - 86
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 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.
2023
Excellent
 
Bayfield, Sawyer
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 II Trout)
Streams 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 through natural reproduction and selective propagation. 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.
Namekagon River, Upper Namekagon River Watershed (SC22) Fish and Aquatic LifeNamekagon River, Upper Namekagon River Watershed (SC22) RecreationNamekagon River, Upper Namekagon River Watershed (SC22) Fish Consumption

General Condition

The Namekagon River (miles 31-68.36; 74.16-86) was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; new biological (fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scores) sample data were clearly below the 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Fish and Aquatic Life use. This water was meeting this designated use and was not considered impaired.

Date  2017

Author  Ashley Beranek

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

Namekagon River, Namekagon River - Park North Of Earl, Nonwadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form
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, 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, 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
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
Comprehensive 2018 River/Stream Water Quality Assessments
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
Namekagon River, Namekagon River upstream Leonard's School Rd. (30m), Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form
RP 235-13 Grant Report Narrative [Namekagon River Partnership]
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
Comprehensive 2016 Rivers Stream Assessments
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
Namekagon Watershed Education Grant Application 2014
Comprehensive 2014 TP IBI Rivers Assessment
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, 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, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife 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
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, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2001 Thornapple and Hayward Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2475 and 2417, Maps to Accompany the Purple Loosestrife 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
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
1997 Hayward Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2417, Order Approving Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Plan
1996 Hayward Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2417, Filing of License Compliance Plans (Including Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Plan)
1995 Hayward Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2417, Order Issuing Subsequent License (Minor Project)
1994 Trego Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2711, Order Issuing License
Burnett County Surface Water Resources 1966

Recommendations

Rivers Management Grant
The Namekagon River Partnership is sponsoring a project aimed at growing the organization\2019s capacity. Project goals include: 1) Recruiting new members and volunteers, and establishing and maintaining strong relationships with other stakeholders; 2) Effectively collaborate with agency and tribal river management staff; 3) Identify and review previous studies; 4) Gather data needed to assess the current health of the upper Namekagon River, and develop protective strategies; 5) Raise public awareness of, and support for river health through on-going educational outreach, providing citizen-based experiences through hands-on participation, and by developing citizen action skills for protection and preservation; 6) Identify future funding sources to secure necessary funding and maintain long-term donor and grantor relationships. Project deliverables are a final report including: 1) Information on capacity building (number of members, volunteers and stakeholders); 2) Summarize effectiveness of collaborations with other partners including outreach efforts; 3) Completing an Organizational Assessment; 4) Developing an appropriate river study; 5) Identifying and securing funding sources for that study.

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
TOWN OF CABLE: Town of Cable AIS Program2007
NAMAKAGON LAKE ASSOCIATION, INC.: Namakagon Lake 2015 Clean Boats Clean Waters Project2015
NAMAKAGON LAKE ASSOCIATION, INC.: Namakagon Lake Baseline Aquatic Plant Survey2008
NAMAKAGON LAKE ASSOCIATION, INC.: Lake Namakagon AIS Prevention - Inspection2009
NAMAKAGON LAKE ASSOCIATION, INC.: Namakagon Lake Hybrid Eurasian Northern Water Milfoil Control2022
NAMEKAGON RIVER PARTNERSHIP INC: Namekagon River Partnership Watershed Education2014
NAMAKAGON LAKE ASSOCIATION, INC.: Namakagon Lake Hybrid Watermilfoil Response Project2020
NAMAKAGON LAKE ASSOCIATION, INC.: Education Outreach2005
NAMAKAGON LAKE ASSOCIATION, INC.: Namakagon Chain of Lakes Educational Signage2010
TOWN OF CABLE: Town of Cable AIS Prevention Program2010
NAMAKAGON LAKE ASSOCIATION, INC.: Namakagon Lake Association, Inc. 2018 CBCW2018
NAMAKAGON LAKE ASSOCIATION, INC.: Namakagon Lake Association, Inc. 2019 CBCW2019
TOWN OF NAMAKAGON: Eurasian Water Milfoil Watch & Education2005
SAWYER COUNTY: Lake Hayward Hybrid Milfoil Control Project2013
TOWN OF NAMAKAGON: Eurasian Water Milfoil Prevention, Detection & Education2006
TOWN OF NAMAKAGON: Lake Namakagon AIS Education, Prevention & Investigation Project2007
NAMAKAGON LAKE ASSOCIATION, INC.: Namakagon Lake Association 2020 CBCW2020
LAKE HAYWARD PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION: Lake Hayward 2015 Clean Boats Clean Waters Project2015
WASHBURN COUNTY: HLR - Washburn County Shoreline Improvments2022
NAMAKAGON LAKE ASSOCIATION, INC.: HLR - Lake Namakagon/Healthy Lakes Shoreline Projects II2022
LAKE HAYWARD PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION: Lake Hayward APMP Update2022
WASHBURN COUNTY: HLR - Washburn County Healthy Lakes Grant 20232023
NAMAKAGON LAKE ASSOCIATION, INC.: Namakagon Lake Association, Inc. 2017 CBCW2017
NAMAKAGON LAKE ASSOCIATION, INC.: Namakagon Lake Aquatic Plant Management Plan & Sanitary Survey2008
NAMEKAGON RIVER PARTNERSHIP INC: Building the Capacity of the Namekagon River Partnership2012
TREGO LAKE DISTRICT: Trego Lake District 2019 CBCW2019
TOWN OF CABLE: Town of Cable AIS Prevention Program2010
NAMAKAGON LAKE ASSOCIATION, INC.: HLK-Lake Namakagon HLK/Shoreline Projects2020
NAMAKAGON LAKE ASSOCIATION, INC.: Namakagon Lake Aquatic Plant Management Plan Update2022
TREGO LAKE DISTRICT: Trego Lake AIS Rapid Response2020
TREGO LAKE DISTRICT: Trego Lake District 2020 CBCW2020
Fish Propagation Actions2001
NAMAKAGON LAKE ASSOCIATION, INC.: Lake Namakagon AIS Education, Prevention & Investigation Project2008
TOWN OF CABLE: AIS Control in the Town of Cable2008
TREGO LAKE DISTRICT: Trego Lake District 2018 CBCW2018
NORTHLAND COLLEGE: SWE - Delivering real-time water quality data from the Lake Namekagon Chain to the public2024

Monitoring Projects

WBICOfficial Waterbody NameStation IDStation NameEarliest Fieldwork DateLatest Fieldwork DateView StationView Data
2689500Namekagon River10039362Namekagon River at Phipps LandingMapData
2689500Namekagon River10030501Namekagon 025 (above STH 63/Cable wayside)MapData
2689500Namekagon River10009810Namekagon 030 (above Leonard's School Rd./Squaw Bend)10/10/200210/10/2002MapData
2689500Namekagon River10032126Namekagon 038 (Lenroot Reach above Slate Road access trail)MapData
2689500Namekagon River583018Namekagon 045 - adj. to State Hwy 63 Seeley8/7/20238/7/2023MapData
2689500Namekagon River10048920Namekagon River upstream Leonard's School Rd. (30m)9/19/20169/19/2016MapData
2689500Namekagon River10018862Phipps Flowage -- Access at North End Of Flowage9/30/20189/30/2018MapData
2689500Namekagon River10009809Namekagon 050 at Larsen Road (Lenroot Reach above Larsen Rd.)MapData
2732600Namekagon Lake10019284Namekagon River -- Access at US Highway 63MapData
2689500Namekagon River10009807Namekagon 070 (Lenroot Reach above STH 63)MapData
2689500Namekagon River10009808Namekagon 060 (Lenroot Reach above Tag Alder Rd.)10/30/20141/1/2015MapData
2732600Namekagon Lake10019569Namekagon River -- Squaw Bend Bridge AccessMapData
2689500Namekagon River043178Namekagon River at Leonards WI5/21/200210/14/2002MapData
2689500Namekagon River10009906Namekagon River - Big Brook at Big Brook Cr.MapData
2689500Namekagon River043023Namekagon River at Sth 63 Bl CableMapData

Watershed Characteristics

Namekagon River is located in the Upper Namekagon River watershed which is 197.80 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (74.10%), wetland (16.70%) and a mix of open (4.60%) and other uses (4.70%). This watershed has 135.34 stream miles, 6,298.06 lake acres and 19,026.69 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

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

Namekagon River is considered a Cool-Cold 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) Mainstem streams are moderate-to-large but still wadeable perennial streams with cold to cool summer temperatures. Coldwater fishes are common to uncommon, transitional fishes are abundant to common, and warm water fishes are uncommon to absent. Headwater species are common to absent, mainstem species are abundant to common, and river species are common to absent.