Jackson
No
No
No
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
The Pigeon Flowage and its watershed are entirely within the Black River State Forest. All silvicultural activities within the Pigeon Creek Flowage watershed should implement appropriate best management practices. Water quality monitoring in 1992 documented moderate phosphorous levels and low chlorophyll levels. Winter dissolved oxygen concentrations were adequate (Sorge). Panfish collected for mercury analysis in 1989 contained moderate levels, given the relatively small size of fish sampled. Fish from this flowage are not listed in the fish consumption advisory. Based on the levels found in panfish, primary game species, such as largemouth bass, should be sampled (Amrhein).
Date 1999
Author Aquatic Biologist
Historical Description
This very soft water drainage impoundment is located on Pigeon Creek within the Black River State Forest. The water is alkaline, has a low transparency, and a medium brown color. The water control structure is a combination stoplog-gate valve arrangement. This flowage was formerly managed for brook trout but at present it is being managed for largemouth bass and channel catfish. Bullhead and pumpkinseed are also present. This flowage has a past history of winterkill conditions. There is a multiple use access which includes boat launching, swimming, picnic site, and campground. Mallard and wood duck nesting may be noted and puddle and diving ducks use the flowage while migrating.
Source: 1968, Surface Water Resources of Jackson County Pigeon Creek Flowage, T20N, R2W, Section 16 Surface Acres = 33.5, S.D.F. = 1.60, Maximum Depth = 9.0 feet.
Date 1968
Author Aquatic Biologist
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
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
Monitoring Projects
WBIC | Official Waterbody Name | Station ID | Station Name | Earliest Fieldwork Date | Latest Fieldwork Date | View Station | View Data |
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1701400 | Pigeon Creek Flowage | 10017543 | Pigeon Creek Flowage - Landing | 2/2/2024 | 2/2/2024 | Map | Data |
1701400 | Pigeon Creek Flowage | 273142 | Pigeon Creek Flowage - Black River State Forest Beach | 6/11/2003 | 8/12/2014 | Map | Data |
1701400 | Pigeon Creek Flowage | 273029 | Pigeon Creek Flowage - Deep Hole | 2/19/1992 | 10/8/1992 | Map | Data |
1701400 | Pigeon Creek Flowage | 10002941 | Pigeon Creek Flowage - Pigeon Creek Flowage | 5/30/1997 | 7/30/2015 | Map | Data |
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![](wsWaterEcosystem.ashx?watershed=BR04)
Watershed Characteristics
Pigeon Creek Flowage is located in the Trout Run and Robinson Creeks watershed which is 216.93 miĀ². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (72.30%), agricultural (11%) and a mix of wetland (6.70%) and other uses (10.00%). This watershed has 326.05 stream miles, 791.85 lake acres and 17,562.31 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked High for runoff impacts on streams, Not Available 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.