Brule River, Brule River Watershed (GB18)
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Brule River, Brule River Watershed (GB18)
Brule River (703900)
4.21 Miles
43.48 - 47.69
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-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
Unknown
 
Forest
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.

Historical Description

The Brule River originates at Brule Lake in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, flowing
southeast for 53 miles until it joins the Michigamme River to form the Menominee River
just northeast of the village of Florence. The Brule River is a Wisconsin-Michigan
boundary water. It is classified as trout waters from the bridge at Hwy 2 upstream to its
headwaters. Brook trout, brown trout and rainbow trout are present. Below the bridge
at Hwy 2, the Brule is classified as a warm water fishery. Walleye, northern pike,
largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and panfish are present.
Michigan's Iron River is a major tributary of the Brule. Iron mine drainage along that
river has polluted the Brule in the past. Abatement programs have attempted to correct
this problem.
The Brule is an intensively used recreational resource. Canoeing, rafting, boating,
sightseeing and fishing are popular along the river's length.

Date  1993

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Brule River, Brule River Watershed (GB18) Fish and Aquatic LifeBrule River, Brule River Watershed (GB18) RecreationBrule River, Brule River Watershed (GB18) 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 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Lower Paint, Peavy Falls, Michigamme Falls, Brule, Twin Falls, Kingsford, Big Quinnesec, Pine, Chalk Hill, White Rapids Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 2072,11830, 2073, 2431, 11831, 2131, 1980, 2486, 2394, 2357 Annual Nuisance Plant Letter and Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2021 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Lower Paint, Peavy Falls, Michigamme Falls, Brule, Twin Falls, Kingsford, Big Quinnesec, Pine, Chalk Hill, White Rapids Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 2072,11830, 2073, 2431, 11831, 2131, 1980, 2486, 2394, 2357 Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2021 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Lower Paint, Peavy Falls, Michigamme Falls, Brule, Twin Falls, Kingsford, Big Quinnesec, Pine, Chalk Hill, White Rapids Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 2072,11830, 2073, 2431, 11831, 2131, 1980, 2486, 2394, 2357 Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2021 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Lower Paint, Peavy Falls, Michigamme Falls, Brule, Twin Falls, Kingsford, Big Quinnesec, Pine, Chalk Hill, White Rapids Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 2072,11830, 2073, 2431, 11831, 2131, 1980, 2486, 2394, 2357 Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2021 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Lower Paint, Peavy Falls, Michigamme Falls, Brule, Twin Falls, Kingsford, Big Quinnesec, Pine, Chalk Hill, White Rapids Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 2072,11830, 2073, 2431, 11831, 2131, 1980, 2486, 2394, 2357 Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2019 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Lower Paint, Peavy Falls, Michigamme Falls, Brule, Twin Falls, Kingsford, Big Quinnesec, Pine, Chalk Hill, White Rapids Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 2072,11830, 2073, 2431, 11831, 2131, 1980, 2486, 2394, 2357 Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2018 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Lower Paint, Peavy Falls, Michigamme Falls, Brule, Twin Falls, Kingsford, Big Quinnesec, Pine, Chalk Hill, White Rapids Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 2072,11830, 2073, 2431, 11831, 2131, 1980, 2486, 2394, 2357 Annual Nuisance Plant Letter and Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2018 List of Healthy (Category 2) Waters
2017 Way Dam, Lower Paint, Brule, Twin Falls, Kingsford, Chalk Hill, Hemlock Falls, Michigamme Falls, Peavy Falls, Pine, White Rapids and Big Quinnesec Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2072, 2431, 11831, 2131, 2394, 2074, 2073, 11830, 2486, 2357 and 1980, Annual Nuisance Plant Letter and Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2015 Brule, Twin Falls, Kingsford, and Big Quinnesec Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2431, 11831, 2131, and 1980, Annual Nuisance Plant Letter ONLY
2015 City of Crystal Falls, Crystal Falls Dam, FERC Project No. 11402, Minor Project License - Article 411 Exotic Species Annual Monitoring Report
Comprehensive 2016 Rivers Stream Assessments
2015 Brule Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2431, Order Amending License to Discontinue Water Quality Monitoring Under Article 405
AIS Bridge Snapshot Day 2014 Data Form [Brule River - Co Rd P]
AIS Bridge Snapshot Day 2014 Data Form [Brule River]
2014 City of Crystal Falls, Crystal Falls Dam, FERC Project No. 11402, Minor Project License - Article 411 Exotic Species Annual Monitoring Report
2013 Brule Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2431, Purple Loosestrife and Eurasian Watermilfoil Monitoring Report
2013 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Peavy Falls, Lower Paint, Michigamme Falls, Brule, Twin Falls, Pine, Kingsford, Big Quinnesec Falls, Chalk Hill, and White Rapids Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 11830, 2072, 2073, 2431, 11831, 2486, 2131, 1980, 2394, and 2357, Purple Loosestrife and Eurasian Watermilfoil Annual Report Letter and License Order Amendment Request for Purple Loosestrife and Eurasian Water Milfoil Control Surveys
Comprehensive 2014 TP IBI Rivers Assessment
2013 City of Crystal Falls, Crystal Falls Dam, FERC Project No. 11402, Minor Project License - Article 411 Exotic Species Annual Monitoring Report
2012 Brule Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2431, Purple Loosestrife and Eurasian Watermilfoil Monitoring Report
2012 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Peavy Falls, Lower Paint, Michigamme Falls, Brule, Twin Falls, Pine, Kingsford, Big Quinnesec Falls, Chalk Hill, and White Rapids Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 11830, 2072, 2073, 2431, 11831, 2486, 2131, 1980, 2394, and 2357, Annual Nuisance Plant Letter
2012 Brule Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2431, Water Quality Monitoring License Amendment Request
2012 We Energies Eurasian Water Milfoil Management Plan Summary File 1 of 2
2012 We Energies Eurasian Water Milfoil Management Plan Summary File 2 of 2
2011 Brule Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2431, Purple Loosestrife and Eurasian Watermilfoil Monitoring Report
2011 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Peavy Falls, Lower Paint, Michigamme Falls, Brule, Twin Falls, Pine, Kingsford, Big Quinnesec Falls, Chalk Hill, and White Rapids Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 11830, 2072, 2073, 2431, 11831, 2486, 2131, 1980, 2394, and 2357, Annual Nuisance Plant Letter
2011 City of Crystal Falls, Crystal Falls Dam, FERC Project No. 11402, Minor Project License - Article 411 Exotic Species Annual Monitoring Report
2011 We Energies Eurasian Water Milfoil Management Plan Summary
2010 Brule Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2431, Purple Loosestrife and Eurasian Watermilfoil Monitoring Report
2010 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Peavy Falls, Lower Paint, Michigamme Falls, Brule, Twin Falls, Pine, Kingsford, Big Quinnesec Falls, Chalk Hill, and White Rapids Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 11830, 2072, 2073, 2431, 11831, 2486, 2131, 1980, 2394, and 2357, Annual Nuisance Plant Letter
2010 City of Crystal Falls, Crystal Falls Dam, FERC Project No. 11402, Minor Project License - Article 411 Exotic Species Annual Monitoring Report
2010 We Energies Eurasian Water Milfoil Management Plan Summary File 1 of 8
2010 We Energies Eurasian Water Milfoil Management Plan Summary File 2 of 8
2010 We Energies Eurasian Water Milfoil Management Plan Summary File 3 of 8
2010 We Energies Eurasian Water Milfoil Management Plan Summary File 4 of 8
2010 We Energies Eurasian Water Milfoil Management Plan Summary File 5 of 8
2010 We Energies Eurasian Water Milfoil Management Plan Summary File 7 of 8
2010 We Energies Eurasian Water Milfoil Management Plan Summary File 8 of 8
2010 We Energies Eurasian Water Milfoil Management Plan Summary File 6 of 8
2009 Brule Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2431, Purple Loosestrife and Eurasian Watermilfoil Monitoring Report
2009 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Peavy Falls, Lower Paint, Michigamme Falls, Brule, Twin Falls, Pine, Kingsford, Big Quinnesec Falls, Chalk Hill, and White Rapids Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 11830, 2072, 2073, 2431, 11831, 2486, 2131, 1980, 2394, and 2357, Annual Nuisance Plant Letter
2009 City of Crystal Falls, Crystal Falls Dam, FERC Project No. 11402, Minor Project License - Article 411 Exotic Species Annual Monitoring Report
2009 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Peavy Falls, Lower Paint, Michigamme Falls, Brule, Twin Falls, Pine, Kingsford, Big Quinnesec Falls, Chalk Hill, and White Rapids Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 11830, 2072, 2073, 2431, 11831, 2486, 2131, 1980, 2394, and 2357, Order Amending Licenses and Granting Extensions of Time
2009 We Energies Eurasian Water Milfoil Management Plan Summary
2008 Brule Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2431, Purple Loosestrife and Eurasian Watermilfoil Monitoring Report
2008 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Peavy Falls, Lower Paint, Michigamme Falls, Brule, Twin Falls, Pine, Kingsford, Big Quinnesec Falls, Chalk Hill, and White Rapids Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 11830, 2072, 2073, 2431, 11831, 2486, 2131, 1980, 2394, and 2357, Annual Nuisance Plant Letter
2008 Brule Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2431, Purple Loosestrife and Eurasian Watermilfoil Monitoring Report MAP
2008 City of Crystal Falls, Crystal Falls Dam, FERC Project No. 11402, Minor Project License - Article 411 Exotic Species Annual Monitoring Report
2008 We Energies Eurasian Water Milfoil Management Plan Summary
2007 City of Crystal Falls Hydroelectric Project (Project No. 11402) Water Quality Monitoring Study
2007 Brule Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2431, Water Quality Monitoring Report
Brule Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2431, Water Quality Monitoring Data 2007
2007 Brule Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2431, Purple Loosestrife and Eurasian Watermilfoil Monitoring Report
2007 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Peavy Falls, Lower Paint, Michigamme Falls, Brule, Twin Falls, Pine, Kingsford, Big Quinnesec Falls, Chalk Hill, and White Rapids Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 11830, 2072, 2073, 2431, 11831, 2486, 2131, 1980, 2394, and 2357, Annual Nuisance Plant Letter
2007 Brule Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2431, Purple Loosestrife and Eurasian Watermilfoil Monitoring Report MAP
2007 City of Crystal Falls, Crystal Falls Dam, FERC Project No. 11402, Minor Project License - Article 411 Exotic Species Annual Monitoring Report
2006 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Lower Paint, Brule, Twin Falls, Pine, Chalk Hill, and White Rapids, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 2072, 2431, 11831, 2486, 2394, and 2357, Purple Loosestrife and Eurasian Watermilfoil Monitoring Report
2006 City of Crystal Falls, Crystal Falls Dam, FERC Project No. 11402, Minor Project License - Article 411 Exotic Species Annual Monitoring Report
2005 City of Crystal Falls, Crystal Falls Dam, FERC Project No. 11402, Minor Project License - Article 411 Exotic Species Annual Monitoring Report
City of Crystal Falls, Crystal Falls Dam, FERC Project No. 11402, Minor Project License - Article 411 Exotic Species Annual Monitoring Report 2005
City of Crystal Falls, Crystal Falls Dam, FERC Project No. 11402, Minor Project License - Article 411 Exotic Species Annual Monitoring Report 2005
2005 Brule Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2431, Notification of Omission of Annual Purple Loosestrife and Eurasian Water Milfoil Monitoring
2004 City of Crystal Falls, Crystal Falls Dam, FERC Project No. 11402, Minor Project License - Article 411 Exotic Species Annual Monitoring Report
2004 Brule Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2431, Purple Loosestrife and Eurasian Watermilfoil Monitoring Report
2004 City of Crystal Falls, Crystal Falls Dam, FERC Project No. P-11402, Order Amending Water Quality Monitoring Plan Under Article 404
2003 City of Crystal Falls, Crystal Falls Dam, FERC Project No. 11402, Minor Project License - Article 411 Exotic Species Annual Monitoring Report
2002 City of Crystal Falls Hydroelectric Project (Project No. 11402) Water Quality Monitoring Study
2002 Brule Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2431, Water Quality Monitoring Report
2002 City of Crystal Falls, Crystal Falls Dam, FERC Project No. 11402, Minor Project License - Article 411 Exotic Species Annual Monitoring Report
2002 Letter from City of Crystal Falls regarding FERC Project No. 11402, Water Quality Monitoring Study of 2001
2001 City of Crystal Falls, Crystal Falls Dam, FERC Project No. 11402, Minor Project License - Article 411 Exotic Species Annual Monitoring Report
2001 City of Crystal Falls, Crystal Falls Dam, FERC Project No. P-11402, Order Amending Water Quality Monitoring Plan and Approving Water Quality Monitoring Report
2000 City of Crystal Falls Hydroelectric Project (Project No. 11402) Water Quality Monitoring Study
2001 City of Crystal Falls Hydroelectric Project (Project No. 11402) Water Quality Monitoring Study
2000 City of Crystal Falls, Crystal Falls Dam, FERC Project No. 11402, Minor Project License - Article 411 Exotic Species Annual Monitoring Report
1999 City of Crystal Falls, Crystal Falls Dam, FERC Project No. 11402, Minor Project License - Article 411 Exotic Species Annual Monitoring Report
1999 Brule Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2431, Order Amending Water Quality Monitoring Plan
1999 City of Crystal Falls, Crystal Falls Dam, FERC Project No. P-11402, Approval of Request for Extension of Time - Articles 404, 405, and 406
1999 Brule Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2431, Water Quality Monitoring Plan
1999 City of Crystal Falls, Crystal Falls Dam, FERC Project No. P-11402, Request for Extension of Time - Articles 404, 405, and 406
1998 City of Crystal Falls, Crystal Falls Dam, FERC Project No. 11402, Minor Project License - Article 411 Exotic Species Annual Monitoring Report
1998 Brule Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2431, Water Quality Monitoring Report
1998 Brule Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2431, Purple Loosestrife and Eurasian Watermilfoil Monitoring Report
1997 City of Crystal Falls, Crystal Falls Dam, FERC Project No. 11402, Minor Project License - Article 411 Exotic Species Annual Monitoring Report
1997 Brule Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2431, Water Quality Monitoring Report
1997 Brule Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2431, Order Modifying and Approving Water Quality Monitoring Plan
1997 Brule Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2431, Purple Loosestrife and Eurasian Watermilfoil Monitoring Report
1997 City of Crystal Falls, Crystal Falls Dam, FERC Project No. P-11402, Order Modifying and Approving the Dissolved Oxygen and Temperature Monitoring Plan (Water Quality Monitoring)
1996 City of Crystal Falls, Crystal Falls Dam, FERC Project No. 11402, Minor Project License - Article 411 Exotic Species Annual Monitoring Report
1996 City of Crystal Falls, Crystal Falls Dam, FERC Project No. P-11402, Minor Project License - Article 404 (Water Quality monitoring)
1996 Brule Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2431, Order Modifying and Approving Purple Loosestrife And Eurasian Water Milfoil Monitoring Plan
1996 City of Crystal Falls, Crystal Falls Dam, FERC Project No. P-11402, Order Modifying and Approving Exotic Wetland Species Monitoring Plan (AIS monitoring)
1996 Brule Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2431, Final Water Quality Monitoring Plan
1996 City of Crystal Falls, Crystal Falls Dam, FERC Project No. P-11402, Exotic Wetland Species Monitoring and Control Plan - Article 411 (AIS monitoring)
1995 City of Crystal Falls Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. P-11402, Order Issuing License (Minor Project)
1995 Brule Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2431, Order Issuing New License

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

Monitoring Projects

WBICOfficial Waterbody NameStation IDStation NameEarliest Fieldwork DateLatest Fieldwork DateView StationView Data
703900Brule River10007695Brule River at Gaspardo RdMapData
703900Brule River10002350Brule River Flowage6/12/20064/25/2011MapData
703900Brule River10002345Brule River - 06 Carney DamMapData
703900Brule River10002346Brule River - 10 Pentoga BridgeMapData
703900Brule River10037271Brule River -- Access at Hwy 55 Bridge MI / WI BorderMapData
703900Brule River10007696Brule River at Sth 559/12/20249/17/2024MapData
703900Brule River10002347Brule River - 14 Below Iron RiverMapData
703900Brule River213152Brule River - Upstm End Usfs 217210/19/199411/9/1994MapData

Watershed Characteristics

Brule River is located in the Brule River watershed which is 194.73 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (76.50%), wetland (17.70%) and a mix of grassland (2.90%) and other uses (2.80%). This watershed has 192.50 stream miles, 2,169.69 lake acres and 13,322.90 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Low 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

Brule River is considered a 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.