Water Detail - W Br Eau Claire River, Upper Eau Claire River Watershed (CW22)

W Br Eau Claire River, Upper Eau Claire River Watershed (CW22)

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W Br Eau Claire River (1445700)

Size

29.43 Miles

Segment

2.01 - 31.44

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.

Macroinvertebrate, Cool-Cold Headwater, Cool-Warm Mainstem, 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.

2015

General Condition

Poor

This river is impaired

Impairments include

Degraded Biological Community

Pollutants include

Total Phosphorus

County

Langlade

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.

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.

Yes

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.

Restricted Aquatic Life

Fish and Aquatic Life communities are not fully supported in this ecosystem.

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.

Overview

The West Branch of the Eau Claire River flows for 32 miles in Langlade County before its confluence with the East Brnach. The general condition of the stream is unknown at this time, but the water has been designated as a Class II trout stream.

Date 2011

Author Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

A stream surve conducted by Fisheries Management indicated streambank pasturing was destroying fish habitat and increasing in-stream sedimentation.

Date 1991

Author Aquatic Biologist

W Br Eau Claire River, Upper Eau Claire River Watershed (CW22) Fish and Aquatic Life

W Br Eau Claire River, Upper Eau Claire River Watershed (CW22) Recreation

W Br Eau Claire River, Upper Eau Claire River Watershed (CW22) Fish Consumption

Impaired Waters

West Branch Eau Claire River (1445700) from its headwaters to State Highway 64 was placed on the impaired waters list for total phosphorus in 2014. The 2016 assessments showed continued impairment by phosphorus; total phosphorus sample data exceeded 2016 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use. Based on the most updated information, no change in existing impaired waters listing is needed.

Date 2015

Author Aaron Larson

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

Wisconsin River Basin TMDL Appendix S TMDL Status for Impaired Waters on the 2020 and 2022 Listing Cycles

2020 Comprehensive WQ Assessments

Final Draft 2018 Impaired Waters List

Comprehensive 2018 River/Stream Water Quality Assessments

Comprehensive 2016 Rivers Stream Assessments

Comprehensive 2014 TP IBI Rivers Assessment

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
LANGLADE COUNTY: CLG - Lake Classification PHASE III	2022
Fish Propagation Actions	2001

Monitoring Projects

WBIC	Official Waterbody Name	Station ID	Station Name	Earliest Fieldwork Date	Latest Fieldwork Date	View Station	View Data
1445700	West Branch Eau Claire River	10021446	West Branch Eau Claire River - 141m Below 2nd Rd (Lincoln Cfl)	1/1/2015	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1445700	West Branch Eau Claire River	10053372	West Branch Eau Claire River Rangeline RD US			Map	Data
1445700	West Branch Eau Claire River	343050	Eau Claire River West Branch - Ormsby Road	5/1/1980	10/20/1980	Map	Data
1445700	West Branch Eau Claire River	10052222	WEST BRANCH OF THE EAU CLAIRE RIVER FOREST RD TO CTH J			Map	Data
1445700	West Branch Eau Claire River	10020995	West Branch Eau Claire River - App. 10 Meters Downstream From Cth-J	4/25/2007	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1445700	West Branch Eau Claire River	10053367	West Branch Eau Claire River Above CTH C			Map	Data
1445700	West Branch Eau Claire River	10015147	West Branch Eau Claire River -209m Below Hwy J	1/1/2015	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1445700	West Branch Eau Claire River	10053370	West Branch Eau Claire River County Forest Between CTH T and J US of Trail			Map	Data
1445700	West Branch Eau Claire River	10012622	West Branch Eau Claire River - Abv Spring Road	4/25/2007	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1445700	West Branch Eau Claire River	10052223	WEST BRANCH OF THE EAU CLAIRE RIVER FICK'S OLD BRIDGE UP TO CLEARWATER CREEK			Map	Data
1445700	West Branch Eau Claire River	10015148	West Branch Eau Claire River 104m Below Forest Road In K.T.C. Club			Map	Data
1445700	West Branch Eau Claire River	343048	Eau Claire River West Branch - Rangeline Road	5/1/1980	10/20/1980	Map	Data
1445700	West Branch Eau Claire River	10053368	West Branch Eau Claire River Above Bluebell RD			Map	Data
1445700	West Branch Eau Claire River	10020805	W. Br. Eau Claire R.-At Bend In Ormsby Rd. 1 Mi. North Off Cth C. Walk In Off Dirt Lane.			Map	Data
1445700	West Branch Eau Claire River	10021448	West Branch Eau Claire River - 45m Above Sth 64	1/1/2015	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1445700	West Branch Eau Claire River	10028753	West Branch Eau Claire River At Cth I	5/20/2008	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1445700	West Branch Eau Claire River	10021456	West Branch Eau Claire River - Start At Old Cattle Bridge Crossing On Tom Fick Property	1/1/2015	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1445700	West Branch Eau Claire River	10021649	West Branch Eau Claire River - 34m Upstream Of Logging Road Off Of 2nd Rd.	1/1/2015	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1445700	West Branch Eau Claire River	10021452	West Branch Eau Claire River - 61m Above Rangeline Rd.			Map	Data
1445700	West Branch Eau Claire River	10021453	West Branch Eau Claire River - 465m Below Bluebell Rd.	1/1/2015	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1445700	West Branch Eau Claire River	10015151	West Branch Eau Claire River-94m Above Spring Road	1/1/2015	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1445700	West Branch Eau Claire River	10021449	West Branch Eau Claire River - 392m Downstream Of Cth I			Map	Data
1445700	West Branch Eau Claire River	10020584	West Branch Eau Claire River at Mceachern Rd			Map	Data
1445700	West Branch Eau Claire River	10021282	West Branch Eau Claire River 80 M Upstream Cty C	10/2/2007	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1445700	West Branch Eau Claire River	10058718	West Branch of the Eau Claire River DS of Ormbsy RD			Map	Data
1445700	West Branch Eau Claire River	10053366	West Branch Eau Claire River US of CTH J			Map	Data
1445700	West Branch Eau Claire River	10021455	West Branch Eau Claire River - 358m Below Cth C			Map	Data

Watershed Characteristics

West Branch Eau Claire River is located in the Upper Eau Claire River watershed which is 221.36 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (41.20%), wetland (33.40%) and a mix of agricultural (18.10%) and other uses (7.30%). This watershed has stream miles, lake acres and 40,234.77 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked High for runoff impacts on streams, Low 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

W Br Eau Claire River is considered a Macroinvertebrate, Cool-Cold Headwater, Cool-Warm Mainstem, 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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