Mack Creek, South Branch Little Wolf River Watershed (WR08)
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Mack Creek, South Branch Little Wolf River Watershed (WR08)
Mack Creek (272600)
3.94 Miles
33.90 - 37.84
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, Cool-Cold Headwater, Cool-Warm Mainstem, Coldwater, 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.
2024
Good
 
Waupaca
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.
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.
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.

Overview

The south branch of the Little Wolf River has its origin in the Iola Millpond. There are some problems in the watershed with sediments and habitat deterioration from streambank pasturing.

From: Bougie, Cheryl A., Kosmond, Lisa D, and Watermolen, Dreux J. 1996. Wolf River Basin Water Quality Management Plan. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.

Date  1996

Author  Cheryl Bougie

Mack Creek, South Branch Little Wolf River Watershed (WR08) Fish and Aquatic LifeMack Creek, South Branch Little Wolf River Watershed (WR08) RecreationMack Creek, South Branch Little Wolf River Watershed (WR08) Fish Consumption

General Condition

The South Branch of the Little Wolf River (also known as Mack Creek) was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; new total phosphorus 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

2020 Comprehensive WQ Assessments
2018 List of Healthy (Category 2) Waters
Comprehensive 2018 River/Stream Water Quality Assessments
2015 Total Phosphorus Monitoring Report - South Branch Little Wolf at Erickson Rd. and STH 49
Streams/Rivers AIS ED Monitoring Pilot 2015 Waupaca County, S. Branch of the Little Wolf River, 272600, 10038004
Comprehensive 2016 Rivers Stream Assessments
Comprehensive 2014 TP IBI Rivers Assessment
TP Assessment Package Report WR08 2003 to 2013
Macroinvertebrate Assessment Package Report WR08 2003 to 2013
Iola Phosphorus Detergent Impact Study

Recommendations

Citizen-Based Stream Monitoring
Collect chemical, physical, and/or biological water quality data to assess the current overall stream health. The data can inform management decisions and may be used to identify impaired waters for biennial lists.
Citizen-Based Stream Monitoring
Collect chemical, physical, and/or biological water quality data to assess the current overall stream health. The data can inform management decisions and may be used to identify impaired waters for biennial lists.
Citizen-Based Stream Monitoring
Collect chemical, physical, and/or biological water quality data to assess the current overall stream health. The data can inform management decisions and may be used to identify impaired waters for biennial lists.
Lake Management Plan Implementation
Review existing data on lake and watershed to define data gaps. Initiate public involvement/information program. Water quality monitoring. Event-related nonpoint source runoff monitoring. Macrophyte survey. Identification of sediment loading and sources of sedimentation. Base map of lake and watershed preparation.
Monitor Water Quality or Sediment
Monitoring of temperature, phosphorus, and sediment concentrations above and below Big Falls and Manawa should continue to assess the impacts from the millponds on the water quality of the River.
Water Quality Planning
The South Branch Little Wolf River Watershed is approximately 165 square miles and is in Waupaca and Portage Counties. It also contains 64 miles of the South Branch of the Little Wolf River. The South Branch Little Wolf River watershed drains portions of the planning area generally to the north and east of the city of Waupaca and contains the South Branch Little Wolf River as the major water feature. Drainage generally flows northeastward through small tributaries to the Little Wolf River and eventually drains into the Wolf River and the Lake Winnebago/Fox River/Green Bay system. This watershed ranks high for lakes and groundwater and low for streams according to the WDNR's draft Upper Fox River Basin Plan (1997). No point-source dischargers are contained within the Planning Area for this watershed.

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
LAKE IOLA MANAGEMENT DISTRICT: Lake Iola Comprehensive Lake Management Plan Phase 22005
South Branch Little Wolf River at Madson Rd Bridge2007
South Branch Little Wolf River south of Scandinavia2007
LAKE IOLA MANAGEMENT DISTRICT: Lake Iola Comprehensive Lake Management Plan Phase 12005
South Branch Little Wolf River (WR08) Watershed Planning2012
LAKE IOLA MANAGEMENT DISTRICT: Lake Iola Management Plan Update2017
South Branch Little Wolf River at Below Hwy 49 Bridge2008
LAKE IOLA MANAGEMENT DISTRICT: Lake Iola Lake & Watershed Data Collection and Planning1991
Lower Little Wolf TWA WQM Plan, 20172015
LAKE IOLA MANAGEMENT DISTRICT: 2022 P-I Survey - Lake Iola2022
WAUPACA COUNTY: HLR - Waupaca County Healthy Lakes 20222023

Monitoring Projects

WBICOfficial Waterbody NameStation IDStation NameEarliest Fieldwork DateLatest Fieldwork DateView StationView Data
272600South Branch Little Wolf River10037928South Branch Little Wolf at Erickson Road and STH 496/18/201110/4/2022MapData
272600South Branch Little Wolf River10008357South Branch Little Wolf River 7 (Se Of Madson Rd)6/4/198010/31/1980MapData
272600South Branch Little Wolf River10008353South Branch Little Wolf River - Paulson Rd5/5/20049/19/2024MapData
272600South Branch Little Wolf River10017233S. Br. Little Wolf R-Just Below Bridge Off Tresnes Rd.6/4/198010/31/1980MapData
272600South Branch Little Wolf River10020698S Branch Little Wolf Upstream Of Madson Rd Bridge10/2/20031/1/2015MapData
272600South Branch Little Wolf River10008350South Branch Little Wolf River 8 (W. Of Anderson Rd)9/25/20011/1/2015MapData

Watershed Characteristics

South Branch Little Wolf River is located in the South Branch Little Wolf River watershed which is 160.29 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (42.40%), agricultural (23%) and a mix of wetland (18.40%) and other uses (16.10%). This watershed has 166.00 stream miles, 2,070.64 lake acres and 19,091.22 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Low for runoff impacts on streams, High for runoff impacts on lakes and High for runoff impacts on groundwater and therefore has an overall rank of High. 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

Mack Creek is considered a Cool-Cold Mainstem, Cool-Cold Headwater, Cool-Warm Mainstem, Coldwater, 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) 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.

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.