Old Abe Lake, McCann Creek and Fisher River Watershed (LC21)
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Old Abe Lake, McCann Creek and Fisher River Watershed (LC21)
Old Abe Lake (2174700)
470.18 Acres
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.
Impounded Flowing Water
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.
2022
Good
 
Chippewa
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.
No
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.
No
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.
Impounded Flowing Water
This classification includes waterbodies created by dams (mill ponds, reservoirs, flowages, and other impoundments) with a residence time of 14 days or more (under summer (June – Sept) mean low flow conditions with a 1 in 10 year recurrence interval (US EPA 2000)). Many natural lakes also have dams or water level control structures. However, to be included in the Impounded Flowing Waters category, the dam or water level control structure, must account for more than half of a waterbody’s maximum depth. Impoundments with a residence time of less than 14 days should be covered under the rivers and stream assessment methodology process.
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.
Default FAL
Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.

Overview

Old Abe Flowage, located approximately nine miles downstream of Cornell Flowage, exhibits no
stratification. The Trophic State Index value of 59-60 indicates poor water quality. Heavy to
moderate algae blooms were observed from July through November (WDNR 1993). For a
discussion of the Chippewa River and Old Abe Flowage, please see the main stem section of this
plan.

Date  1996

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

Source: 1963, Surface Water Resources of Chippewa County Old Abe Lake T30N, R7W, T31N, R7W, T31N, R6W

A soft water, drainage impoundment on the Chippewa River. It has a 54 -foot water control structure on its outlet (Jim Fa-Us Dam) and is operated by the Northern States Power Co. The most common fish species include walleyes, black crappies, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, redhorse and white suckers. Other species present are muskellunge, northern pike, largemouth bass, perch, bluegills, rock bass, pumpkinseeds, bullheads, burbot and rock sturgeon. Ducks, numbering in the thousands, and coot use the flowage during migratory seasons. Muskrats are common. Mallards, teal, wood ducks and mergansers use the 500-acre adjoining wetlands (approximate) for nesting habitat. Its private development consists of three resorts, two boat rental places and 58 cottages. Two accesses with limited parking are available for use on the west side of the flowage. One is a county wayside park in Section 10, the other is a town access in Section 3. The Village of Cornell and the county own other lands bordering the flowage and the total publicly-owned lake shore amounts to 0. 85 miles.

Surface Acres = 1, 072, S.D.F. = 6.72, Maximum Depth = 36 feet

Date  1963

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Old Abe Lake, McCann Creek and Fisher River Watershed (LC21) Fish and Aquatic LifeOld Abe Lake, McCann Creek and Fisher River Watershed (LC21) RecreationOld Abe Lake, McCann Creek and Fisher River Watershed (LC21) 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

Lake Bathymetry Map for Old Abe Lake
2019 Holcombe, Cornell, Jim Falls, Wissota, Chippewa Falls, and Dells Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1982, 2639, 2491, 2567, 2440, and 2670, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2020 Comprehensive WQ Assessments
2018 Holcombe, Cornell, Jim Falls, Wissota, Chippewa Falls, and Dells Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1982, 2639, 2491, 2567, 2440, and 2670, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2018 List of Healthy (Category 2) Waters
Final Assessment Data from TSI Package and Assessment Units 2018
2017 Holcombe, Cornell, Jim Falls, Wissota, Chippewa Falls, and Dells Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1982, 2639, 2491, 2567, 2440, and 2670, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2016 Holcombe, Cornell, Jim Falls, Wissota, Chippewa Falls, and Dells Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1982, 2639, 2491, 2567, 2440, and 2670, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2015 Holcombe, Cornell, Jim Falls, Wissota, Chippewa Falls, and Dells Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1982, 2639, 2491, 2567, 2440, and 2670, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
AIS Early Detection 2015 Data Form Old Abe 2174700
2014 Holcombe, Cornell, Jim Falls, Wissota, Chippewa Falls, and Dells Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1982, 2639, 2491, 2567, 2440, and 2670, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2013 Holcombe, Cornell, Jim Falls, Wissota, Chippewa Falls, and Dells Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1982, 2639, 2491, 2567, 2440, and 2670, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
Purple Loosestrife Assessment - 2013: Dells Pond, Chippewa Falls Flowage, Lake Wissota, Old Abe Lake, Cornell Flowage, Lake Holcombe and Jim Falls Spillway Channel
2012 Holcombe, Cornell, Jim Falls, Wissota, Chippewa Falls, and Dells Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1982, 2639, 2491, 2567, 2440, and 2670, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2011 Holcombe, Cornell, Jim Falls, Wissota, Chippewa Falls, and Dells Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1982, 2639, 2491, 2567, 2440, and 2670, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2010 Holcombe, Cornell, Jim Falls, Wissota, Chippewa Falls, and Dells Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1982, 2639, 2491, 2567, 2440, and 2670, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2009 Holcombe, Cornell, Jim Falls, Wissota, Chippewa Falls, and Dells Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1982, 2639, 2491, 2567, 2440, and 2670, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2008 Holcombe, Cornell, Jim Falls, Wissota, Chippewa Falls, and Dells Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1982, 2639, 2491, 2567, 2440, and 2670, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2007 Holcombe, Cornell, Jim Falls, Wissota, Chippewa Falls, and Dells Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1982, 2639, 2491, 2567, 2440, and 2670, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2006 Holcombe, Cornell, Jim Falls, Wissota, Chippewa Falls, and Dells Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 1982, 2639, 2491, 2567, 2440, and 2670, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2001 Exotics Control Plan, Appendix M of the Lower Chippewa River Settlement Agreement
2001 Lower Chippewa River Settlement Agreement, no appendices
1984 Jim Falls Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2491, Order Issuing New License (Major)
Chippewa County Surface Water Resources 1963 Part 1 of 2
Chippewa County Surface Water Resources 1963 Part 2 of 2

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
Fish Propagation Actions2001

Monitoring Projects

WBICOfficial Waterbody NameStation IDStation NameEarliest Fieldwork DateLatest Fieldwork DateView StationView Data
2174700Old Abe Lake10001071Old Abe Lake8/7/20019/12/2017MapData
2174700Old Abe Lake093100Chippewa River Old Abe Lake-Old Abe Flowage - Hofke Housemiddle Hofke House - Deep Hole1/18/19899/4/2003MapData
2174700Old Abe Lake10018403Old Abe Lake -- Chippewa River Access7/24/20227/24/2022MapData
2174700Old Abe Lake094009Old Abe Lake - Old Abe Lake8/28/19798/28/1979MapData

Watershed Characteristics

Old Abe Lake is located in the McCann Creek and Fisher River watershed which is 311.06 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (39.20%), agricultural (22.90%) and a mix of wetland (22.10%) and other uses (15.80%). This watershed has 385.14 stream miles, 3,485.11 lake acres and 33,345.65 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Not Ranked for runoff impacts on streams, Not Ranked 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

Old Abe Lake is considered a Impounded Flowing Water 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.

This classification includes waterbodies created by dams (mill ponds, reservoirs, flowages, and other impoundments) with a residence time of 14 days or more (under summer (June – Sept) mean low flow conditions with a 1 in 10 year recurrence interval (US EPA 2000)). Many natural lakes also have dams or water level control structures. However, to be included in the Impounded Flowing Waters category, the dam or water level control structure, must account for more than half of a waterbody’s maximum depth. Impoundments with a residence time of less than 14 days should be covered under the rivers and stream assessment methodology process.