Plover River, Plover and Little Plover Rivers Watershed (CW12)
Plover River, Plover and Little Plover Rivers Watershed (CW12)
Plover River (1402800)
16.31 Miles
33.55 - 49.86
Cool-Cold Mainstem, Cool-Warm Mainstem
2025
Good
 

Overview

The Plover River is classified as a warm water game fishery below STH 153 and Class I, II, and III trout waters above HWY 153. Fishery surveys, completed in 2000, found localized low density trout populations below STH 153. Recent surveys also indicated that warm water temperatures and poor habitat conditions impact mid-portions of the river. This section of the river is very wide and shallow, lacking pools, riffles and sufficient fish cover. Excessive nutrients and sediment were also recorded. Portions of the stream are suitable for stream habitat improvement. Trout Unlimited and the Department are proposing to complete in-stream habitat work down to STH 153 within the next ten years.

Biotic index values on samples taken from the Plover River have indicated excellent, good and fair water quality. A stream survey conducted in 1978, indicated cattle were impacting certain sections of the river. Both streambank pasturing and animal waste run-off occurred at that time. The Plover River watershed is also susceptible to both wind and water soil erosion (Shelbrack). The Jordan Project, a hydroelectric project, (FERC No. 10903) is located on the river.

Date  2002

Author   Aquatic Biologist

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Waters that support fish and aquatic life communities (healthy biological communities).
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.
Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.
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.
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.