Water Detail - Pine River, Pine and Willow Rivers Watershed (WR02)

Pine River, Pine and Willow Rivers Watershed (WR02)

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Pine River (247800)

Size

18.98 Miles

Segment

17 - 35.98

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, Cool-Warm Mainstem, Coldwater

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.

2024

General Condition

Good

County

Waushara

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.

Yes

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.

Yes

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.

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.

Supported Aquatic Life

Waters that support fish and aquatic life communities (healthy biological communities).

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.

Cold (Class I Trout)

Streams supporting a cold water sport fishery, or serving as a spawning area for salmonids and other cold water fish species through natural reproduction. Representative aquatic life communities, associated with these waters, generally require cold temperatures and concentrations of dissolved oxygen that remain above 6 mg/L. Since these waters are capable of supporting natural reproduction, a minimum dissolved oxygen concentration of 7 mg/L is required during times of active spawning and support of early life stages of newly-hatched fish.

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.

Cold

Streams capable of supporting a cold water sport fishery, or serving as a spawning area for salmonids and other cold water fish species. Representative aquatic life communities, associated with these waters, generally require cold temperatures and concentrations of dissolved oxygen that remain above 6 mg/L. Since these waters are capable of supporting natural reproduction, a minimum dissolved oxygen concentration of 7 mg/L is required during times of active spawning and support of early life stages of newly-hatched fish.

Overview

Pine River and Willow Creek are clear, hard water streams that drain the center two-thirds of Waushara County. There are substantial critical animal waste problems in the eastern half of this watershed, though detailed inventories need to be done. Soil erosion, at rates above 2 T/A/YR, combined with local animal waste delivery and in-stream erosion have accelerated deterioration of trophic status of mill ponds on the Pine River and Willow Creek.

The Pine River is a 28-mile-long tributary to the southwest corner of Lake Poygan. Often the river is divided into the Upper Pine (above the Wild Rose Millpond) and the Lower Pine. In the Lower Pine, the Poy Sippi, Pine River, Saxeville, and Idlewild Millponds degrade water quality. Power dams are responsible for fluctuating water levels and surface discharge of warm water. There is some streambank erosion and some agricultural NPS problems.

The Lower Pine River is a highly productive Class I trout stream which originates at the Wild Rose Millpond dam and flows about 23 miles through mostly wooded and light agricultural land before entering Lake Poygan. Streambank erosion and animal waste contribute to the excess vegetation and habitat deterioration. Sewage effluent from the Wild Rose wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and the Wild Rose Fish Hatchery have caused excessive weed growth problems in the past.

The Upper Pine River consists of the Wild Rose Millpond and the upper reaches of the river. Irrigation from the trout stream area above Poy Sippi for truck farming is a concern. This stretch of the river is not affected by any discharges and would be a good candidate for pristine water and sediment analysis to determine background levels of heavy metals.

Date 1996

Author Cheryl Bougie

Overview

The Pine River is a 28-mile tributary to the southwest comer of Lake Poygan. Often the river
is divided into the Upper Pine (above the Wild Rose Millpond) and the Lower Pine.
In the Lower Pine, the Poy Sippi, Pine River, Saxeville and Idlewild Millponds degrade water
quality. Power dams are responsible for fluctuating water levels and surface discharge of
warm water. Biological, chemical, and physical water quality changes occur following
impoundments creation. Physical changes include the creation of a large pool above the dam
where water flow is reduced, which increases the amount of time water remains in place. The
increase in residence time allows sediment and other solids to settle out and deposit above the
dam. The impoundment water acts as a sediment trap or detention basin. The area above the
dam is often shallow. The combination of nutrient rich sediment deposits and shallow depth
create ideal conditions for the growth of aquatic plants, including algae. This plant material
often becomes a nuisance, limiting recreation. A great deal of time and effort is spent trying
to manage these nuisance plants. The dams also impair the migration of Brown Trout and
Brook Trout during spring and fall runs to prime spawning habitat. Fisheries management has
a strong acquisition program, and fish habitat and maintenance program on the Pine River.
Removal of Saxeville, Poy Sippi and Pine River Dams would improve water quality and fish
migrations to prime spawning habitat. Many of these dams are old and need repair. Fisheries
Management should work with the villages and private dam owners to discuss feasible dam
removal options. There are some streambank erosion and some agricultural polluted runoff
problems.

The Lower Pine River is a highly productive Class I trout stream. It originates at the Wild
Rose Millpond dam and flows about 23 miles through mostly wooded and light agricultural
land before entering Lake Poygan. Streambank erosion and animal waste contribute to excess
vegetation and habitat deterioration. Sewage effluent from the Wild Rose wastewater
treatment plant and the Wild Rose Fish Hatchery have caused excessive weed growth
problems in the past. WDNR Water Resources Management staff should conduct basin
assessment trend stream monitoring on the Pine River to assess long-term water quality trends
in the Wolf River Basin. Parameters that should be monitored in addition to the protocol are
phosphorus and ammonia. This data will then be used to accurately predict impacts and set
effluent limitations for the wastewater treatment plant and the fish hatchery.
The Upper Pine River consists of the Wild Rose Millpond and the upper reaches of the river.
Irrigation for truck farming from the trout stream area above Poy Sippi is a concern. This
stretch of the river is not affected by any discharges and would be a good candidate for
pristine water and sediment analysis to determine background levels of heavy metals.

Date 1996

Author Aquatic Biologist

Pine River, Pine and Willow Rivers Watershed (WR02) Fish and Aquatic Life

Pine River, Pine and Willow Rivers Watershed (WR02) Recreation

Pine River, Pine and Willow Rivers Watershed (WR02) Fish Consumption

General Condition

The Pine River was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; new total phosphorus 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

Pine River, Waushara County, OERW Evaluation

Priority Watershed Water Quality Evaluation for the Pine River Watershed, Waushara County, Wisconsin (March 2020)

Pine River, Pine River - Apache Road, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

2020 Comprehensive WQ Assessments

2018 Total Phosphorus Monitoring Report - Lower Pine River - Cth A - Upstream

2018 Total Phosphorus Monitoring Report - Upper Pine River at 17th Drive

Pine River, Pine River at Hwy. 49 Poy Sippi, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Pine River, Pine River at Patty Anderson Farm Bridge Downstream of Poy Sippi, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Pine River, Pine River - William'S Property, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Pine River, Pine River - Off 26th Rd At E. Frater Prop., Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Pine River, Pine River Cth A Old Bridge Upstream Annual Site, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Pine River, Pine River at 28th Court, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Pine River, Pine River below Saxeville Dam , Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Pine River, Lower Pine River at 19th Drive, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Pine River, PINE RIVER - AINAWA HABITAT SITE, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Pine River, Pine River - Apache Road, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Pine River, Pine River US Idlewild Millpond and Cty K, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Pine River, Pine River at Aniwa Road, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Pine River, Lower Pine River - Cth A - Upstream, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Pine River, Pine River - .5 Mi Below A, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Pine River, Pine River W4902 Portage Road Saxeville, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Pine River, Pine River - Above Hwy A, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Pine River, Pine River - Upper Pine R. Deadend Rd Off Roberts Rd, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Pine River, Upper Pine River at 17th Drive, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Pine River, Upper Pine River at Cth Aa, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

2018 List of Healthy (Category 2) Waters

Pine River, Lower Pine River at 19th Drive, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Pine River, Pine River at Aniwa Road, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Comprehensive 2018 River/Stream Water Quality Assessments

2015 Total Phosphorus Monitoring Report - Pine River at Aniwa Rd

Comprehensive 2016 Rivers Stream Assessments

New Zealand Mudsnail Response Monitoring [Paul Skawinski; Pine River; 2014]

Comprehensive 2014 TP IBI Rivers Assessment

Pine Willow Poygan South (WR02) Priority Watershed Surface Water Resource Appraisal Report 1997

Pine River Willow Creek Priority Watershed Water Quality Appraisal Monitoring Plan 1996

LOWER PINE RIVER, CALUMET COUNTY, WILD ROSE POTW WWTP USE DESIGNATION

Pine River System, Waushara County, OERW Evaluation

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
FOX WOLF WATERSHED ALLIANCE: Winnebago Lakes Comprehensive Planning - Lake Poygan	2017

Monitoring Projects

WBIC	Official Waterbody Name	Station ID	Station Name	Earliest Fieldwork Date	Latest Fieldwork Date	View Station	View Data
247800	Pine River	703007	Wild Rose Fish Hatchery 004	8/30/1989	8/30/2007	Map	Data
247800	Pine River	703047	Pine River - Above Hwy A	8/14/1991	9/4/2024	Map	Data
247800	Pine River	10016546	Pine River - 1/4 Mile North Of County Hwy A(Sec. 25)	4/13/1995	4/13/1995	Map	Data
247800	Pine River	10021420	Pine River 315 M Upstream Cth Aa	9/5/2007	1/1/2015	Map	Data
247800	Pine River	703069	Upper Pine River at Cth P	2/19/1996	2/19/1996	Map	Data
247800	Pine River	10012632	Wild Rose Fish Hatchery Warm Water Pond No. 7 Outfall (007)	6/21/1994	9/19/2006	Map	Data
247800	Pine River	10016389	Lower Pine River - Cth A - Upstream	5/2/1996	5/2/1996	Map	Data
247800	Pine River	10034804	Pine River Above Saxeville Pond			Map	Data
247800	Pine River	10016134	Pine River - Cth K Upstreamsample Collected Below Impoundment	9/27/1995	9/27/1995	Map	Data
247800	Pine River	703051	Lower Pine River - 2.0 Mi Below A	8/14/1991	8/14/1991	Map	Data
247800	Pine River	10022004	Pine River 19th Lane Downstream Annual Site			Map	Data
247800	Pine River	10049170	PINE RIVER - A TO 22 BRIDGE			Map	Data
247800	Pine River	10022005	Pine River Cth A Old Bridge Upstream Annual Site	10/26/2018	10/26/2018	Map	Data
247800	Pine River	10034800	Pine River at Apache Rd			Map	Data
247800	Pine River	703072	Lower Pine River - Aprx 1/2 Mi N Of A	2/19/1996	9/19/2020	Map	Data
247800	Pine River	10016425	Lower Pine River - Cth A - Upstream	9/27/1995	3/7/2019	Map	Data
247800	Pine River	703071	Upper Pine River at CTH AA (River Street)	2/19/1996	9/4/2024	Map	Data
247800	Pine River	10034802	Pine River at CTH K			Map	Data
247800	Pine River	10037927	Pine River at Aniwa Road	6/3/2005	9/19/2024	Map	Data
247800	Pine River	703070	Upper Pine River at 17th Drive	5/16/1979	10/8/2024	Map	Data
247800	Pine River	10016391	Pine River - County Aa	10/8/1998	10/8/1998	Map	Data
247800	Pine River	10049174	PINE RIVER - AINAWA HABITAT SITE	10/19/2018	8/10/2024	Map	Data
247800	Pine River	10016133	Lower Pine River - 24th Ln (30 Feet Downstream) - Bridge closed	5/7/1996	6/3/2005	Map	Data
247800	Pine River	10054634	Pine River Spring 1	7/1/2020	7/1/2020	Map	Data
247800	Pine River	10054637	Wild Rose Mill Pond Spring, Pine River	8/5/2020	8/5/2020	Map	Data
247800	Pine River	10014662	Wild Rose Fish Hatchery Cold Water Seepage Ponds 003	2/27/1990	6/21/1994	Map	Data
247800	Pine River	10049074	Pine River - Between Aniwa and Apache Roads	6/7/2005	6/7/2005	Map	Data
247800	Pine River	10012631	Wild Rose Fish Hatchery Warm Water Pond No. 6 Outfall (006)	10/21/1996	9/21/2006	Map	Data
247800	Pine River	10007884	Pine River 4			Map	Data
247800	Pine River	10012634	Wild Rose Fish Hatchery Warm Water Pond No. 9 Outfall (009)	10/10/1995	9/7/2006	Map	Data
247800	Pine River	10034803	Pine River below Saxeville Dam	8/22/2018	6/6/2019	Map	Data
247800	Pine River	10007880	1			Map	Data
247800	Pine River	703049	Pine River - .5 Mi Below A	10/12/1992	10/17/2018	Map	Data
247800	Pine River	703050	Lower Pine River - 1.0 Mi Below A	8/14/1991	8/14/1991	Map	Data
247800	Pine River	10007882	Pine River 2			Map	Data
247800	Pine River	10049194	PINE RIVER - PORTAGE ST. ARTS AREA			Map	Data
247800	Pine River	10012630	Wild Rose Fish Hatchery Warm Water Pond No. 5 Outfall (005)	8/30/1989	10/11/2006	Map	Data
247800	Pine River	10029791	Pine River W4902 Portage Road Saxeville	6/25/2005	10/16/2024	Map	Data
247800	Pine River	10007883	Pine River - Apache Road	5/16/1979	10/1/2024	Map	Data
247800	Pine River	10012633	Wild Rose Fish Hatchery Warm Water Pond No. 8 Outfall (008)	8/30/1989	9/7/2005	Map	Data
247800	Pine River	10050198	Pine River US Idlewild Millpond and Cty K	10/19/2018	9/19/2020	Map	Data
247800	Pine River	703106	Pine River - Upper Pine R. Deadend Rd Off Roberts Rd	10/17/2000	3/7/2019	Map	Data
247800	Pine River	703073	Lower Pine River at 19th Drive	2/19/1996	9/13/2024	Map	Data
247800	Pine River	10034801	Pine River at Aniwa Rd			Map	Data

Watershed Characteristics

Pine River is located in the Pine and Willow Rivers watershed which is 302.08 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (34.40%), agricultural (27.80%) and a mix of wetland (19.20%) and other uses (18.70%). This watershed has 377.48 stream miles, 11,273.01 lake acres and 33,136.61 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked High 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

Pine River is considered a Cool-Cold Mainstem, Cool-Warm Mainstem, Coldwater 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.

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