Waldo Mill Pond, Onion River Watershed (SH04)
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Waldo Mill Pond, Onion River Watershed (SH04)
Waldo Mill Pond (52500)
35.59 Acres
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.
Impounded Flowing Water
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.
2017
Fair
 
Sheboygan
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.
No

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.
Impounded Flowing Water
This classification includes waterbodies created by dams (mill ponds, reservoirs, flowages, and other impoundments) with a residence time of 14 days or more (under summer (June – Sept) mean low flow conditions with a 1 in 10 year recurrence interval (US EPA 2000)). Many natural lakes also have dams or water level control structures. However, to be included in the Impounded Flowing Waters category, the dam or water level control structure, must account for more than half of a waterbody’s maximum depth. Impoundments with a residence time of less than 14 days should be covered under the rivers and stream assessment methodology process.
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

ONION RIVER WALDO MILLPOND AT RM 31.9
T14N R21E Sec. 14 Surface Acres = 40 Maximum Depth = 7 ft.

The Waldo millpond is located at Waldo just east of STH 57 and is created by a dam with an 8 1/2 foot high sill. As part of a study conducted in 1994, the Waldo millpond was used to assess the impacts associated with impoundments on river systems (Aartila, 1995). The Onion River from its headwaters to the Waldo Impoundment is classified as cold water community stream and as a warm water sport fish community downstream of the impoundment.

The effects of slower current velocities and no stream side shading resulted in dramatic increases in the maximum air temperature and water temperature recorded from both the Waldo millpond and STH 57 (which is just downstream of the Waldo millpond) sites. In comparison, the shady upstream site at CTH E displayed much cooler air and water temperatures (Aartila 1995). During August of 1994, the maximum daily air temperature at the shady site was approximately 5oC cooler than the downstream sites. Likewise maximum water temperatures were also much cooler at CTH E than the Waldo millpond and STH 57 sites by approximately 5oC. Streamside shading on the Onion River reduces the warming effect of direct sunlight on the water surfaces at these shaded sites and reduces maximum air temperatures.

Not only does the Waldo millpond slow current velocities and expose surface waters to direct sunlight, it also increases algae productivity and provides optimal habitat for bottom feeding fishes (e.g. carp). Increases in algae concentrations (statistically significantly different at p<0.05, n=12) and increases in suspended solid concentrations (although not statistically significant) through bioturbation are both real threats to water quality downstream of the millpond (Aartila 1995). Increases in the geometric mean concentration of chlorophyll a (3.4 g/l to 27.2 g/l) and suspended solids (10 mg/l to 31 mg/l) upstream and below the Waldo millpond document these effects. Samples collected for the study from the Mullet River provide a point of reference for a typical free-flowing river system and are reported on in the Mullet River Watershed section (and fully in the Aartila 1995 report).

Date  2001

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

Source: 1968, Surface Water Resources of Sheboygan County Waldo Millpond T14N, R2 1E, Section 14 Surface Acres -- 40, S.D.F. = 2.70, Maximum Depth = 7 feet A moderate-sized flowage on the Onion River created by a dam with an 8-1/2 foot high sill. Northern pike and panfish constitute the main sport fishery. The Onion River is trout water to the flowage--a few trout are caught during the early part of trout season. Carp, turbidity, and fluctuating water levels are major use problems. The impoundment experienced a partial fish kill in September, 19611--primarily northern pike. The kill was attributed to an oxygen depletion caused by a combination of naturally high fertility and extremely hot weather. The area has value for fair numbers of nesting and migrating puddle ducks in the spring and fall. No public access is available, and hunting is allowed only by permission.

Date  1968

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Waldo Mill Pond, Onion River Watershed (SH04) Fish and Aquatic LifeWaldo Mill Pond, Onion River Watershed (SH04) RecreationWaldo Mill Pond, Onion River Watershed (SH04) 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

Lake Bathymetry Map for Waldo Mill Pond
2018 List of Healthy (Category 2) Waters
Final Assessment Data from TSI Package and Assessment Units 2018

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

Monitoring Projects

WBICOfficial Waterbody NameStation IDStation NameEarliest Fieldwork DateLatest Fieldwork DateView StationView Data
52500Waldo Mill Pond603039Onion River - Larson Co. (Waldo) - Lagoons7/8/19769/23/1985MapData
52500Waldo Mill Pond10005802Waldo Mill Pond9/8/20008/30/2017MapData
52500Waldo Mill Pond605021Onion River - Below WaldoMapData

Watershed Characteristics

Waldo Mill Pond is located in the Onion River watershed which is 98.00 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (62.50%), grassland (17.40%) and a mix of forest (8.70%) and other uses (11.40%). This watershed has 132.85 stream miles, 143.10 lake acres and 5,098.92 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Not Available for runoff impacts on streams, Not Available 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

Waldo Mill Pond is considered a Impounded Flowing Water 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.

This classification includes waterbodies created by dams (mill ponds, reservoirs, flowages, and other impoundments) with a residence time of 14 days or more (under summer (June – Sept) mean low flow conditions with a 1 in 10 year recurrence interval (US EPA 2000)). Many natural lakes also have dams or water level control structures. However, to be included in the Impounded Flowing Waters category, the dam or water level control structure, must account for more than half of a waterbody’s maximum depth. Impoundments with a residence time of less than 14 days should be covered under the rivers and stream assessment methodology process.

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