Water Detail - Lemonweir River, Beaver Creek - Juneau,Little Lemonweir River Watershed (LW28)

Lemonweir River, Beaver Creek - Juneau,Little Lemonweir River Watershed (LW28)

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Lemonweir River (1301700)

Size

23.02 Miles

Segment

32.86 - 55.88

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.

Warm Mainstem, Macroinvertebrate, Cool-Cold Headwater, COOL-Warm Mainstem, Coldwater, COOL-Warm Headwater, Large River

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.

2021

General Condition

Poor

This river is impaired

Impairments include

Impairment Unknown

Pollutants include

Total Phosphorus

County

Juneau, Monroe

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.

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.

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

Lemonweir River - The Lemonweir River in the Lower Lemonweir River Watershed - LW27)
extends from its confluence with the Wisconsin River
upstream to the dam at New Lisbon. The river has a diverse warm water sport fishery. The
dominant gamefish in this reach is the smallmouth bass. Streambank erosion is a problem in
this reach, resulting in sand and sediment accumulating in the deeper holes and backwater
areas, and increased turbidity. It is believed that the proposed removal of the Lemonweir Mill
Dam would eliminate backwater spawning and nursery areas.

Lemonweir River in the Little Lemonweir River Watershed (LW29) - The Lemonweir River flows
through eastern Monroe County and west central Juneau County
in a southeasterly direction for 56 miles before reaching the Wisconsin River between Castle
Rock Lake and the Wisconsin Dells. The Lemonweir River in this watershed extends from the
dam in New Lisbon upstream to where the South and East Forks of the Lemonweir River
converge at Wyeville. These upper 25 miles of the Lemonweir River support a warm water
sport fishery comprised of northern pike, walleye and panfish. The river is bordered by
hundreds of wetland acres and agricultural lands. From Wyeville downstream past the
confluence of Bear Creek, the Lemonweir River has been straightened. However, a low
gradient of only three feet per mile in Juneau County creates a meandering river down to New
Lisbon which can be difficult to navigate. Since the last biological survey was conducted in
1966, a fish and habitat survey should be conducted on the Lemonweir River upstream of
New Lisbon to document existing conditions. Access to the Lemonweir River upstream of
New Lisbon is from seven road crossings. The WDNR has been purchasing easements along
sections of the river to establish riparian buffers to improve stream health.

Ripp, Coreen, Koperski, Cindy and Folstad, Jason. 2002. The State of the Lower Wisconsin River Basin.
PUBL WT-559-2002. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.

Date 2002

Author Cynthia Koperski

Historical Description

The Lenaonweir River in this watershed extends from its confluence with the Wisconsin
Rives upstream to dam at New Lisbon. The river has a diverse warm water sport fishery.
The dominant gamefish in this reach is the smallrrlouth bass (WDNR, 1991).
Streambank erosion is a problem in this reach, resulting in sand and sediment
accumulating in the deeper holes and backwater areas, and increased turbidity
(Ironside, 1991). It is believed that the proposed removal of the Lemonweir Mills dam
would eliminate backwater spawning and nursery areas (WDNR, 1991).

Date 1994

Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Lemonweir River, Beaver Creek - Juneau,Little Lemonweir River Watershed (LW28) Fish and Aquatic Life

Lemonweir River, Beaver Creek - Juneau,Little Lemonweir River Watershed (LW28) Recreation

Lemonweir River, Beaver Creek - Juneau,Little Lemonweir River Watershed (LW28) 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

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

Changes to the Draft 2014 Total Phosphorus/Biology Assessments

Lemonweir River, Juneau County - Aquatic Plant Sampling Map (36 mpts)

Lemonweir River, Juneau County - Garmin Text File

Rivers TP Summary 2012

New Lisbon Lake Bathymetric Map (37 MB)

Recommendations

Shoreland Ordinance

Juneau County proposes to amend or create a shoreland zoning ordinance that complies with the requirements of NR 115, Wisconsin Administrative Code (as revised effective February 1, 2010) and retain existing regulations that exceed the water resource protections of NR 115 or are specific or unique to local needs.

Biomonitoring Toxicity Tests

WRM should conduct monitoring for the presence of toxic substances in fish in New Lisbon Lake (Type B).

Restore Wetlands

Dam Safety or Removal

Examine the impact of removing the Lemonweir Dam to determine if the removal would eliminate necessary spawning and nursery areas.

Monitor Fish Community

The Lemonweir River should be assessed to determine if rare aquatic elements previously found are still present.

Monitor Targeted Area

The populations of leopard frogs in the watershed should be surveyed to determine the health and abundance of the frog. If a decline is indicated, more work should be done to determine the potential causes.

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
CITY OF NEW LISBON: New Lisbon Map	2007
CITY OF MAUSTON: Decorah Map	2007
CITY OF MAUSTON: City of Mauston	2020
CITY OF MAUSTON: Lake Decorah Final Report on Phased Planning Project	1998
CITY OF NEW LISBON: New Lisbon Map 2	2010
GOLDEN SANDS RC&D: CBCW Volunteer Supplies	2008
Monitoring Recommendations Stemming from CWA / IR Listings	2000
Wetland Restoration Database	2016
JUNEAU COUNTY: LCO-Shoreland Ordinance Rev.	2010
Fish Propagation Actions	2001

Monitoring Projects

WBIC	Official Waterbody Name	Station ID	Station Name	Earliest Fieldwork Date	Latest Fieldwork Date	View Station	View Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	10036542	Lemonweir River - Area of Open Water			Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	10035556	Lemonweir River - Area of Open Water			Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	293139	New Lisbon Lake at I90/94	11/7/1995	11/7/1995	Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	423201	Lemonweir River - Highway 21			Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	10035314	Lemonweir River - Area of Open Water			Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	10036172	Lemonweir River - Area of Open Water			Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	10036323	Lemonweir River - Area of Open Water			Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	10035099	Lemonweir River - Area of Open Water			Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	10035168	Lemonweir River - Area of Open Water			Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	10036349	Lemonweir River - Area of Open Water			Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	10014341	Lemonweir River Station 3 - Cth Pp Bridge	7/11/2012	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	10035432	Lemonweir River - Area of Open Water			Map	Data
5587565	Unnamed	10036222	Unnamed - Area of Open Water	7/8/2010	7/8/2010	Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	10036136	Lemonweir River - Area of Open Water			Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	423081	Lemonweir River - Highway 21			Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	10051287	Lemonweir River - North of HWY 90			Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	10036350	Lemonweir River - Area of Open Water			Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	10014347	Lemonweir River Station 7 - River Rd. Bridge			Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	10035260	Lemonweir River - Area of Open Water			Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	10035359	Lemonweir River - Area of Open Water			Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	10014343	Lemonweir River Station 4 - Funnel Rd. Bridge	5/10/2012	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	10035545	Lemonweir River - Area of Open Water			Map	Data
5587559	Unnamed	10036099	Unnamed - Area of Open Water	7/8/2010	7/8/2010	Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	10029644	LEMONWEIR RIVER AT CTH M	7/29/2003	1/1/2015	Map	Data
5590219	Unnamed	10051287	Lemonweir River - North of HWY 90			Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	10036512	Lemonweir River - Area of Open Water			Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	10035943	Lemonweir River - Area of Open Water			Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	10036809	Lemonweir River - Area of Open Water			Map	Data
5587546	Unnamed	10035804	Mud Ditch - Area of Open Water	7/8/2010	7/17/2010	Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	10014346	Lemonweir River Station 6 - Cth H Bridge			Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	293014	Lemonweir River - Volk Field Camp Douglas Stp	7/26/1978	7/26/1978	Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	10030931	Lemonweir River -- Kennedy County Park Boat Ramp	7/29/2021	7/29/2021	Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	10035656	Lemonweir River - Area of Open Water			Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	10035147	Lemonweir River - Area of Open Water			Map	Data
1310700	Lemonweir River -Un Oxbow	10014347	Lemonweir River Station 7 - River Rd. Bridge			Map	Data
1313200	Mud Ditch	10035804	Mud Ditch - Area of Open Water	7/8/2010	7/17/2010	Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	10014345	Lemonweir River Station 5 - 2nd Ave. Bridge			Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	10035386	Lemonweir River - Area of Open Water			Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	10036164	Lemonweir River - Area of Open Water			Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	10014348	Lemonweir River Station 8 - Cth M Bridge			Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	10036305	Lemonweir River - Area of Open Water			Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	10035723	Lemonweir River - Area of Open Water			Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	10035902	Lemonweir River - Area of Open Water			Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	293056	Lemonweir River - 6th Ave South	5/1/1980	8/1/2005	Map	Data
5025236	Unnamed	10036099	Unnamed - Area of Open Water	7/8/2010	7/8/2010	Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	10036747	Lemonweir River - Area of Open Water			Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	10036356	Lemonweir River - Area of Open Water			Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	10035729	Lemonweir River - Area of Open Water			Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	10036748	Lemonweir River - Area of Open Water			Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	10035827	Lemonweir River - Area of Open Water			Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	10035385	Lemonweir River - Area of Open Water			Map	Data
5025236	Unnamed	10036222	Unnamed - Area of Open Water	7/8/2010	7/8/2010	Map	Data
5560751	Unnamed	10051287	Lemonweir River - North of HWY 90			Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	10036843	Lemonweir River - Area of Open Water			Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	10032333	Lemonweir River at Volk Field			Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	10035679	Lemonweir River - Area of Open Water			Map	Data
1301700	Lemonweir River	10035935	Lemonweir River - Area of Open Water			Map	Data

Watershed Characteristics

Lemonweir River is located in the Beaver Creek - Juneau watershed which is 282.77 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (40.90%), wetland (40.60%) and a mix of agricultural (11.20%) and other uses (7.50%). This watershed has 551.73 stream miles, 7,135.81 lake acres and 76,388.60 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

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

Lemonweir River is considered a Warm Mainstem, Macroinvertebrate, Cool-Cold Headwater, COOL-Warm Mainstem, Coldwater, COOL-Warm Headwater, Large River 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.

Warm Mainstem waters are moderate-to-large but still wadeable perennial streams with relatively warm summer temperatures. Coldwater fishes are absent, transitional fishes are common to uncommon, and warm water fishes are abundant to common. Headwater species are common to absent, mainstem species are abundant to common, and river species are common to 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.

More Interactive Maps

View Water in Alternative Map

Maps of Watershed

New Lisbon Lake Bathymetric Map (37 MB)

New Lisbon Lake Area Map (95 MB)