Wolf River, North Fork Eau Claire River Watershed (LC17)
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Wolf River, North Fork Eau Claire River Watershed (LC17)
Wolf River (2146000)
6.58 Miles
0 - 6.58
Natural Community
Cool-Cold Mainstem, Cool-Warm Mainstem
Year Last Monitored
2023
Poor
 
This river is impaired
High Phosphorus Levels
Total Phosphorus
 
Chippewa, Clark, Eau Claire
Trout Water 
No
Outstanding or Exceptional 
No
Impaired Water 
Yes

Fish and Aquatic Life

Current Use
Restricted Aquatic Life
Attainable Use
WWFF
Designated Use
Default FAL

Overview

The Wolf River is 24 mile long warm water tributary to the North Fork of the Eau Claire River. The headwater reaches upstream from Chapman Lake are intermittent and fully support a warm water forage fishery. The stream is classified as a warm water sport fishery from the Chapman Lake dam downstream to the confluence with the North Fork Eau Claire River.

The Wolf River from the Chapman Lake dam downstream to Worden Road is not supporting its designated use due to dissolved oxygen standards violations. Therefore, this section of river is identified as impaired on the Federal 303 d list.

Date  2010

Author  Paul Laliberte

Overview

Very little recent fishery and water quality data exists for the Wolf River. Macroinvertebrate sampling at the mouth in 1980 indicated good diversity. A sample site at Stanley, upstream of Chapman Pond, indicated less diversity, possibly due to the decreased water velocity. Monitoring of the Wolf River near Stanley documented dissolved oxygen problems under summer
conditions. Stream aeration has been limited during years when beaver significantly impound the river. This, in conjunction with low flow, contributes to the oxygen problem. Additionally, the Stanley discharge in this reach may be contributing to the problem. Data since the plant was renovated has not been evaluated.

Date  1996

Author  Karen Voss

Historical Description

Wolf River T28N, R4W, S30, Surface Acres = 8.7, Miles = 6 .O, Gradient = 8.6 feet per mile.

A clear, medium hard water stream that flows southwest into the north fork
of the Eau Claire River in Eau Claire County. The stream meanders through
portions of Clark, Taylor, Chippewa, and Eau Claire Counties. It enters
Clark County first from Taylor County and then again from Chippewa County.
Its fishery consists primarily of panfish and forage species, but there may be bass and carp present as these two species have been reported in Chippewa County. About 67 percent of the land adjacent to the stream has been cleared as has 94 percent of the land included in the watershed area. There is no public land adjoining the stream. Access is possible from six road crossings.

From: Klick, Thomas A. and C.W. Threinen, 1965. Surface Water Resources of Clark County:
Lake and Stream Classification Project. Wisconsin Conservation Department, Madison, WI.

Date  1965

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

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.
Fish and Aquatic Life communities are not fully supported in this ecosystem.
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.
Streams capable of supporting a warm waterdependent forage fishery. Representative aquatic life communities associated with these waters generally require cool or warm temperatures and concentrations of dissolved oxygen that do not drop below 5 mg/L.
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.
Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.