Poplar River, Popple River Watershed (BR11)
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Poplar River, Popple River Watershed (BR11)
Poplar River (1752900)
2.48 Miles
11.06 - 13.54
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
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
Poor
 
This river is impaired
High Phosphorus Levels
Total Phosphorus
 
Clark
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.
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.
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

The Popple River is formed by the confluence of the North and South Forks of the Popple River southeast of the Village of Owen. Water quality in the river was historically degraded by the Owen WWTP discharge. A water quality study found dissolved oxygen levels of 6.6 mg/l upstream and as low as 0.2 mg/l downstream of the Owen WWTP discharge. This facility moved its discharge to the Black River when the treatment plant was upgraded in 1986 (Eslien).
In September 1992, study of the Popple River after removal of the point source discharge was conducted. Continuous dissolved oxygen and temperature instruments recorded fluctuations over ranges of 6-12 mg/l and 15-20 aC, respectively. In-stream habitat was rated good but evidence of extreme fluctuations of flow was noted along the shoreline (WDNR, 1992(b)).
Owen has continually experienced flooding within the city. A dam on Brick Creek was built to hold floodwaters and consequently created Sportsman Lake. However, flooding from the Popple River still created problems for some residents of Owen. The recent widening of HWY 29 through Owen offered an opportunity to revisit potential solutions. The Popple River flows northwesterly toward Owen and then turns sharply south. To reduce the high flows through Owen, a vegetated diversion channel was placed upstream of Owen (south of HWY 29) to divert flood flows away from this extreme bend in the river (Strand).

From: Koperksi, Cindy. 1999. Black River Water Quality Management Plan (draft). Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.

Date  1999

Author  Cynthia Koperski

Historical Description

Poplar River T27N, R2W, S10, Surface Acres = 67.3, Miles = 7.4.

Poplar River is a clear, medium hard water stream that is formed by the junction of the north and south forks and flows south into the Black River. There is a small impoundment at Owen. Fish species present are walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike, rock bass, pumpkinseed, crappie, bullhead, carp and forage fishes. About 75 percent of the watershed area is cleared land. In 1962, a fish kill occurred as a result of improper sewage treatment at Owen. Light boat traffic is possible, but portaging is necessary along some areas. Waterfowl and furbearers are present. There is one picnic site, a wayside, and an unimproved boat landing is also located there. Access is possible from four 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   Aquatic Biologist

Poplar River, Popple River Watershed (BR11) Fish and Aquatic LifePoplar River, Popple River Watershed (BR11) RecreationPoplar River, Popple River Watershed (BR11) Fish Consumption

Impaired Waters

Popple River (1752900) was placed on the impaired waters list for total phosphorus in 2014. The 2016 assessments showed continued impairment by phosphorus; total phosphorus sample data overwhelmingly exceeded 2016 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Fish and Aquatic Life use, however, available biological data do not indicate impairment (i.e. no macroinvertebrate or fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scored in the "poor" condition category). 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

2020 Comprehensive WQ Assessments
Final Draft 2018 Impaired Waters List
Comprehensive 2018 River/Stream Water Quality Assessments
Comprehensive 2016 Rivers Stream Assessments
Rivers TP Summary 2012
POPPLE RIVER, UNNAMED TRIBUTARY, CLARK COUNTY, HEMLOCK CHEESE FACTORY WWTP USE DESIGNATION
Clark County Surface Water Resources 1965

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.

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
Popple River at HWY 732006

Monitoring Projects

WBICOfficial Waterbody NameStation IDStation NameEarliest Fieldwork DateLatest Fieldwork DateView StationView Data
1752900Popple River10010278Popple River Station 36/14/20068/21/2006MapData
1752900Popple River10016845Popple R. - 200 Feet Below 1st Twn Road Downstreamfrom Cchcc Potwred Chironomids Found11/9/199011/9/1990MapData
1752900Popple River103136Popple River - Hwy D Bridge10/10/20061/1/2015MapData

Watershed Characteristics

Popple River is located in the Popple River watershed which is 216.76 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (54.90%), forest (17.50%) and a mix of wetland (14.70%) and other uses (12.80%). This watershed has 386.23 stream miles, 250.90 lake acres and 20,350.85 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Not Ranked for runoff impacts on streams, Not Available for runoff impacts on lakes and Medium for runoff impacts on groundwater and therefore has an overall rank of Medium. 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

Poplar River is considered a Cool-Cold Mainstem 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 (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.