Pokegema River, St. Louis and Lower Nemadji River Watershed (LS01)
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Pokegema River, St. Louis and Lower Nemadji River Watershed (LS01)
Pokegema River (2844000)
25.74 Miles
0 - 25.74
Natural Community
Macroinvertebrate, Cool-Cold Mainstem, Cool-Cold Headwater, Coldwater
Year Last Monitored
2024
Poor
 
This river is impaired
Impairment Unknown
Total Phosphorus
 
Douglas
Trout Water 
No
Outstanding or Exceptional 
No
Impaired Water 
Yes

Fish and Aquatic Life

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

Overview

Red clay erosion contributes to large amounts of sediment and turbidity in the river. The river is an important spawning area for walleye, northern pike, longnose and white suckers, burbot and other members of a diverse fishery; water quality is very important for successful reproduction for these species (Pratt 1996).

The outfall of the village of Superior wastewater treatment plant at SW S10 T48 N R14W then along a diffuse surface drainage to the Pokegama River, has been recommended for inclusion in the revision of NR104 as a limited aquatic life water. From the confluence of this drainage to the mouth of the river at the St. Louis River in Pokegama Bay, the Pokegama is recommended for inclusion in NR104 as a limited forage fishery.

An unnamed tributary T48N R14W S04 NESW, receives the discharge from the Duluth, Winnipeg and Pacific Railway Switching Yards industrial and sanitary wastewater treatment system. The plant outfall discharges to the upper end of a spill containment impoundment that also receives runoff from the railyard and wetland drainage. From the mouth of the tributary to the outfall at T48N R14W S17 is recommended for inclusion in NR104 as a limited forage fishery. After discharging from the impoundment, the drainageway receives additional channelized wetland and yard drainage. These sources form the headwaters of an intermittent Pokegama River tributary. The tributary channel is poorly defined in its upper reaches where it is surrounded by extensive wetland and lowland scrub. Farther down the drainage, the stream takes on the typical patterns of steeply cut clay banks and scoured, sometimes deeply cut channel indicative of the flashy streams in this region. During low flow periods, the stream may have no discharge. While during sampling no discharge occurred from the containment impoundment, a heavy planktonic algae bloom was present throughout the impoundment and abundant mats of filamentous algae were in place near the bottom end of the impoundment. Discharge samples from the weir showed moderate increases in biochemical oxygen demand and nutrients. Indicative of the heavy algae bloom occurring in the impoundment were an elevated pH and a super-saturated dissolved oxygen level. (Prenn May 21, 1991)

Date  1999

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

The Pokegama River was recommended for inclusion in the revision of NR104 (1977) as a limited aquatic life water (LFF) from the confluence of the drainage for the outfall of the Village of Superior's wastewater treatment plant to the mouth of the river at the St. Louis River in Pokegama Bay. However, Pratt (1996) notes that the river is an important spawning area for walleye, northern pike, longnose and white suckers, burbot and other members of a diverse fishery and water quality is very important for successful reproduction for these species. Based on a diverse fishery with gamefish present, this LFF designation does not appear appropriate; rather, it would appear the Pokegama should be designated as a warmwater sport fishery (WWSF) from it's mouth up to at least Hwy 105 (~ river mile 4.0) and possibly further, at which point it would most likely change to a warm-water forage fishery (WWFF).

Condition monitoring and evaluation of the Pokegama River for current, attainable, and most appropriate designated use category throughout its system is recommended.

Date  2010

Author  Cordell Manz

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.
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 small populations of forage fish or tolerant macro-invertebrates that are tolerant of organic pollution. Typically limited due to naturally poor water quality or habitat deficiencies. Representative aquatic life communities associated with these waters generally require warm temperatures and concentrations of dissolved oxygen that remain above 3 mg/L.