Pine River (South Branch), Pine River Watershed (GB16)
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Pine River (South Branch), Pine River Watershed (GB16)
Pine River (South Branch) (650300)
6.16 Miles
73.12 - 79.28
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, Cool-Warm Headwater
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.
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
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.
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 Pine River originates in central Forest County. It flows eastward through Forest and central Florence County to its juncture with the Menominee River. The Pine River is a state wild and scenic river.

Date  1993

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Pine River (South Branch), Pine River Watershed (GB16) Fish and Aquatic LifePine River (South Branch), Pine River Watershed (GB16) RecreationPine River (South Branch), Pine River Watershed (GB16) 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
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
2020 Comprehensive WQ Assessments
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
Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Peavy Falls, Michigamme Falls, Pine, Chalk Hill, and White Rapids Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 11830, 2073, 2486, 2394, and 2357; Acknowledgement of 2017 Report on Nuisance Plant Surveys
2017 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Peavy Falls, Michigamme Falls, Pine, Chalk Hill, and White Rapids Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 11830, 2073, 2486, 2394, and 2357, Annual Nuisance Plant Letter and Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
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
Comprehensive 2018 River/Stream Water Quality Assessments
2017 Pine Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. P-2486, Order Approving Discontinuation of Water Quality Monitoring
2016 Hemlock Falls, Peavy Falls, Michigamme Falls, Pine, Chalk Hill, and White Rapids, FERC Project Nos. 2074, 11830, 2073, 2486, 2394, and 2357, Annual Nuisance Plant Letter ONLY
2015 Way Dam, Hemlock Falls, Lower Paint, Peavy Falls, Michigamme Falls, Pine, Chalk Hill, and White Rapids Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1759, 2074, 2072, 11830, 2073, 2486, 2394, and 2357, Annual Nuisance Plant Letter and Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
Comprehensive 2016 Rivers Stream Assessments
2014 Hemlock Falls, Michigamme Falls, Pine, and Chalk Hill Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2074, 2073, 2486, and 2394, Annual Nuisance Plant Letter ONLY
2013 Pine Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2486, 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
2012 Pine Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2486, 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 Pine Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2486, Water Quality 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 Pine Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2486, 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 We Energies Eurasian Water Milfoil Management Plan Summary
2010 Pine Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2486, 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
2009 Pine Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2486, 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 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
2008 Pine Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2486, 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
2007 Pine Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2486, Water Quality Monitoring Report
2007 Pine Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2486, 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
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
2004 Pine Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2486, Purple Loosestrife and Eurasian Watermilfoil Monitoring Report
2002 Pine Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2486, Water Quality Monitoring Report
2002 Pine Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2486, Purple Loosestrife and Eurasian Watermilfoil Monitoring Report
2002 Pine Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2486, Order Amending Ordering Paragraph (B) of Order Approving Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Plan, Pursuant to Article 413
2001 Pine Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2486, Purple Loosestrife and Eurasian Watermilfoil Monitoring Report
2000 Pine Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2486, Purple Loosestrife and Eurasian Watermilfoil Monitoring Report
1999 Pine Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2486, Purple Loosestrife and Eurasian Watermilfoil Monitoring Report
1998 Pine Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2486, Purple Loosestrife and Eurasian Watermilfoil Monitoring Report
1997 Pine Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2486, Water Quality Monitoring Report
1997 Pine Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2486, Order Approving Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Plan, Pursuant to Article 413
1996 Pine Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2486, Order Modifying and Approving Water Quality Monitoring Plan
1996 Brule Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2431, Final Water Quality Monitoring Plan
1995 Pine Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2486, Order Issuing New License
Pine River Watershed Nonpoint Source Assessment Report

Recommendations

Educate and engage residents
Northwood's Land Trust, Inc. proposes to conduct a direct mail education campaign with all property owners on the priority river and stream segments in Florence County that were identified by the DNR Northern Rivers Initiative. An information packet will be provided highlighting voluntary conservation options those property owners can utilize to protect the priority stream corridors. Those options include conservation easements, land donation, land registry and conservation buyer programs. Individual on site property assessments and conservation planning will be conducted with any landowners who express interest. The project includes the following goals: 1) Direct mail information packets describing voluntary conservation options private landowners can utilize to protect their properties. This information will include how the options can protect land while also providing income, estate and other tax benefits to landowners. The mailing will include all private property owners with at least 500 feet of natural shoreline on these priority river segments; 2) Conduct on-site follow-up contacts with interested landowners as generated by mailing and media publicity; 3) Encourage interested landowners to voluntarily enter into perpetual land protection agreements or utilize other land protection tools to protect their priority river/stream segments. Project deliverables include: 1) Copies of color GIS maps of each of the towns with digitized parcel maps will be provided to illustrate the parcels/landowners identified within 500 + feet of existing natural shoreline frontage; 2) A generalized listing of Florence County landowner follow-up contacts by program type will be provided.

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
NORTHWOODS LAND TRUST, INC.: Florence County River Conservation Project2011
Fish Propagation Actions2001

Monitoring Projects

WBICOfficial Waterbody NameStation IDStation NameEarliest Fieldwork DateLatest Fieldwork DateView StationView Data
650300Pine River10036645Pine River - Area of Open WaterMapData

Watershed Characteristics

Pine River is located in the Pine River watershed which is 342.57 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (69.50%), wetland (24.80%) and a mix of open (3.20%) and other uses (2.60%). This watershed has 348.02 stream miles, 6,893.46 lake acres and 35,145.32 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Low 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

Pine River (South Branch) is considered a Cool-Cold Headwater, Cool-Warm Headwater 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 (Warm-Transition) Headwaters are small, sometimes intermittent streams with cool to warm summer temperatures. Coldwater fishes are uncommon to absent, transitional fishes are abundant to common, and warm water fishes are common to uncommon. Headwater species are abundant to common, mainstem species are common to absent, and river species are absent.

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.

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