General Condition
Tomahawk River (WBIC 1515800) from the Willow Reservoir to its headwaters (Kawaguesaga Lake) was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; new total phosphorus and biological (macroinvertebrate and fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scores) sample data were clearly below the 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Fish and Aquatic Life use. This water was meeting this designated use and was not considered impaired.
Date 2017
Author Ashley Beranek
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
Recommendations
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 |
|---|
| MINOCQUA/KAWAGUESAGA LAKES PROTECTION ASSN.: Kawaguesaga Lake Mgt. Plan - Phase IV Macrophyte Studies & APM Plan | 2006 |
| TOWN OF LAC DU FLAMBEAU: AIS Watercraft Inspection, Education & Lake Monitoring Project | 2009 |
| CITY OF TOMAHAWK: Lake Mohawksin Comprehensive Mgt. Planning Project Phase I | 2006 |
| TOWN OF LAC DU FLAMBEAU: AIS Watercraft Inspection, Education, & Lake Monitoring Project | 2007 |
| LAKE NOKOMIS CONCERNED CITIZEN'S INC.: Lake Nokomis Management Planning Project, Phase II | 2010 |
| TOWN OF LAC DU FLAMBEAU: AIS Watercraft Inspection, Education & Lake Monitoring | 2008 |
| LAKE NOKOMIS LAKE DISTRICT: Bridge-Nokomis 2022 EWM Monitoring & ManagementProject | 2022 |
| FRIENDS OF JERSEY FLOWAGE: Jersey Flowage Lake Management Planning Project, Phase 1 | 2011 |
| CITY OF TOMAHAWK: Lake Mohawksin Comprehensive Planning Project Phase II | 2006 |
| LAKE NOKOMIS CONCERNED CITIZEN'S INC.: Lk. Nokomis 2006 Eurasian Water Milfoil Control | 2006 |
| LAKE NOKOMIS CONCERNED CITIZEN'S INC.: Lake Nokomis Management Planning Project, Phase 3 | 2010 |
| LAKE NOKOMIS CONCERNED CITIZEN'S INC.: Eurasian Water Milfoil Control | 2005 |
| ONEIDA: RES - 2022 Willow Flowage Restoration Project | 2022 |
| TOWN OF LAC DU FLAMBEAU: AIS Boat Inspection, Education, & Lake Monitoring | 2006 |
| LAKE NOKOMIS LAKE DISTRICT: Nokomis 2023 EWM Monitoring & ManagementProject | 2023 |
| LAKE NOKOMIS CONCERNED CITIZEN'S INC.: Lake Nokomis Management Planning Project, Phase I | 2010 |
| TOWN OF LAC DU FLAMBEAU: AIS Watercraft Inspection, Education & Lake Monitoring Project | 2010 |
| Fish Propagation Actions | 2001 |
| TOWN OF LAC DU FLAMBEAU: Lake Steward Program | 2011 |
| LAKE NOKOMIS CONCERNED CITIZEN'S INC.: Lake Nokomis 2007 Eurasian Water Milfoil Control | 2007 |
| FRIENDS OF JERSEY FLOWAGE: Jersey Flowage Aquatic Plant Studies Update | 2018 |
|
Monitoring Projects
| WBIC | Official Waterbody Name | Station ID | Station Name | Earliest Fieldwork Date | Latest Fieldwork Date | View Station | View Data |
|---|
| 1515800 | Tomahawk River | 443292 | Tomahawk River at Cedar Falls | 5/1/1979 | 10/1/1979 | Map | Data |
| 1515800 | Tomahawk River | 10041544 | Willow Reservoir - Tomahawk River above Cedar Falls | | | Map | Data |
| 1515800 | Tomahawk River | 10012798 | Tomahawk River - 801m Below Blue Lake Rd | | | Map | Data |
| 1515800 | Tomahawk River | 443040 | Tomahawk River - Sth 70 Bl Minocqua Stp | 9/12/1978 | 9/12/1978 | Map | Data |
| 1515800 | Tomahawk River | 443291 | Tomahawk River at Blue Lk Rd | 5/1/1979 | 10/1/1979 | Map | Data |
| 1515800 | Tomahawk River | 10031772 | Tomahawk River adjacent to Cedar Falls Rd. | 10/13/2010 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
|
Watershed Characteristics
Tomahawk River is located in the Middle Tomahawk River watershed which is 233.30 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (64.60%), wetland (26.90%) and a mix of open (7%) and other uses (1.50%). This watershed has 191.49 stream miles, 4,575.90 lake acres and 42,061.39 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.