Root River, Root River Watershed (SE03)
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Root River, Root River Watershed (SE03)
Root River (2900)
5.32 Miles
20.48 - 25.80
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-Warm Mainstem
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
Poor
 
This river is impaired
Degraded Biological Community, Low DO
Total Phosphorus, Sediment/Total Suspended Solids
 
Milwaukee, Racine
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.
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.
Root River, Root River Watershed (SE03) Fish and Aquatic LifeRoot River, Root River Watershed (SE03) RecreationRoot River, Root River Watershed (SE03) Fish Consumption

Impaired Waters

Root River, from its mouth to Horlick Dam (miles 0 to 5.82) has been on the state's 303(d) impaired waters list since 1998 for PCBs. This segment of the Root River was evaluated for phosphorus and biology every two years between 2012 and 2020. Phosphorus levels were too high. Chloride and bug data showed good conditions.

Date  2022

Author  Ashley Beranek

Impaired Waters

Root River, Horlick Dam to County Highway V (13th St) (miles 5.82 to 20.48) was evaluated for phosphorus and biology every two years between 2012 and 2022. Phosphorus and chloride levels were too high.

Date  2022

Author  Ashley Beranek

Impaired Waters

Root River, County Highway V (13th St) to Root River Canal (miles 20.48 to 25.8) was put on the impaired waters list in the 1998 cycle for phosphorus, total suspended solids, low dissolved oxygen, and degraded biology. The phosphorus listing was confirmed in 2020. Evaluation in the 2022 cycle for chloride and bug data showed good conditions.

Date  2022

Author  Ashley Beranek

Impaired Waters

Root River, from the Root River Canal to the headwaters (miles 25.8 to 43.69) was put on the impaired waters list in the 1998 cycle for phosphorus, total suspended solids, low dissolved oxygen, and degraded biology. Chloride was evaluated every two years between 2014 and 2022. Chloride levels were found to be too high, which can be harmful to plant, bug, and fish communities.

Date  2022

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

Slenderhead Darter in the Root River
Root River, Root River at Golf Course Bridge (Site ID #1), Nonwadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form
2020 Comprehensive WQ Assessments
Final Draft 2018 Impaired Waters List
Comprehensive 2018 River/Stream Water Quality Assessments
Streams/Rivers AIS ED Monitoring Pilot 2015 Racine County, Root River, 2900, 523141
Streams/Rivers AIS ED Monitoring Pilot 2015 Milwaukee County, Root River, 2900, 10044321
Streams/Rivers AIS ED Monitoring Pilot 2015 Racine County, Root River, 2900, 523115
Comprehensive 2016 Rivers Stream Assessments
Root River at Grange Ave-Road Salt Monitoring Data Summary February 2011 - March 2014
Root River at Layton Ave-Road Salt Monitoring Data Summary February 2011 - December 2013
Root River at Puetz Rd-Road Salt Monitoring Data Summary February 2011 - December 2013
Root River Watershed: A Guide to Managing Water Quality, Recreational Access and Use, Habitat Conditions, and Flooding
Root River 2900 Segmentation Documentation 2014
2014 Chloride Assessments
Root River at Grange Ave-Road Salt Monitoring Data Summary February 2011 - December 2012
Root River at Layton Ave-Road Salt Monitoring Data Summary February 2011 - December 2012
Root River at Puetz Rd-Road Salt Monitoring Data Summary February 2011 - December 2012
Root River 2900 (Miles 0-5.82) 2012 MIBI Report
Root River 2900 (Miles 0-5.82) 2012 TP Report
Root River 2900 (Miles 5.82-20.48) 2012 MIBI Chart
Root River 2900 (Miles 5.82-20.48) 2012 MIBI Report
Root River 2900 (Miles 5.82-20.48) 2012 TP Report
Rivers TP Summary 2012
Root River at Grange Ave -Road Salt Monitoring Data Summary February - December 2011
Root River at Layton Ave-Road Salt Monitoring Data Summary February - December 2011
Root River at Puetz Rd-Road Salt Monitoring Data Summary February - December 2011
Application - Colonial Park Root River Stabilization
Lower Root River Stream Morphology Assessment
ROOT RIVER, GREENRIDGE TRIBUTARY, WAUKESHA COUNTY, NEW BERLIN WWTP USE DESIGNATION
ROOT RIVER, UNNAMED TRIBUTARY, UNNAMED CREEK, WAUKESHA COUNTY, NEW BERLIN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL USE DESIGNATION
ROOT RIVER UNNAMED TRIB, MILWAUKEE COUNTY, RAWSON HOMES WWTP USE DESIGNATION
ROOT RIVER UNNAMED TRIB, MILWAUKEE COUNTY, MILWAUKEE METROPOLITAN S.D. WWTP USE DESIGNATION

Recommendations

Water Quality Planning
Collect chemical, physical, and/or biological water quality data to assess the current overall stream health. The data can inform management decisions and may be used to identify impaired waters for biennial lists.
Citizen-Based Stream Monitoring
Collect chemical, physical, and/or biological water quality data to assess the current overall stream health. The data can inform management decisions and may be used to identify impaired waters for biennial lists.
Citizen-Based Stream Monitoring
Collect chemical, physical, and/or biological water quality data to assess the current overall stream health. The data can inform management decisions and may be used to identify impaired waters for biennial lists.
Runoff Grant - Urban Nonpoint Source & Stormwater Management - Construction
Runoff Grant - Urban Nonpoint Source & Stormwater Management - Construction
Restore Hydrology, Morphology
Grantee is CITY OF RACINE
Runoff Grant - Urban Nonpoint Source & Stormwater Management - Planning
To cost-share development and implementation of a public education and public participation program.
Runoff Grant - Urban Nonpoint Source & Stormwater Management - Planning
Runoff Grant - Urban Nonpoint Source & Stormwater Management - Planning
Runoff Grant - Urban Nonpoint Source & Stormwater Management - Planning
Monitor Water Quality or Sediment
Mouth to Horlick Dam (AU 10533). 2016 assessment indicated a possible impairment but station was not representative.
Water Quality Planning
The Root River Council will undertake the following activities relating to Horlick Dam and the Root River under the Root River Continuity and Revitalization Project: Horlick Dam - Conduct a minimum of four public workshops relating to the Horlick Dam. - Convene nine monthly meetings of the ad-hoc project committee. - Develop final recommendations and printed plan for the disposition of Horlick Dam. - Develop website for public comment regarding the Horlick Dam. - Provide DNR two copies of the Horlick Dam recommendation and written documentation of the workshops and monthly meetings, as described above. Parklands - Host/conduct two community-wide river clean-up events. - Host three public canoe outings. - Host one river-focused festival. - Partner with Parks and Public Works on restoration of 300 feet of river bank. - Provide DNR written documentation of the clean-up events, canoe outings and festival. Connections - Facilitate installation of Root River Pathway road markers, street level Pathway markers and City park identifiers along the Pathway. - Facilitate installation of Root River Pathway key at the Racine Transit Center. - Facilitate either mural or on-street Pathway markings on Pathway route. - Provide DNR documentation (including photos where appropriate) of the above, including numbers of installed items and markings. Machinery Row - Ensure that the Low Impact Development concepts from RootWorks Plan are incorporated into final Machinery Row redevelopment design. - Ensure Root River Pathway expansion as outlined in the Back to the Root Plan are incorporated into final Machinery Row redevelopment design. - Assist in education efforts towards brownfield redevelopment along the Root River. - Provide DNR documentation of the outcome of the efforts described above.
Educate and engage residents
The Root River Council will undertake the following activities to revitalize the Root River within the Racine city limits: - conduct a minimum of three public meetings for the riverloop, bridge and fishing pier designs - provide conceptual designs for downtown riverloop, marsupial bridge and fishing piers - conduct a minimum of three public meetings for Arts & Interpretation Plan - conduct a run/walk public event along the Root River, a minimum of three public river outings and two adopt a river events.
Monitor or Assess Watershed Condition
The planning grant is to increase organizational capacity and improve their products and services. The mission is to protect, restore, and sustain the ecosystem in the watershed through funding and facilitation of a regional network of locally initiated projects. The river grant money will be used to market and develop long-term financial independence. Futrue funds will be used to supply grant money to other organizations for watershed improvements projects.

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
YWCA OF RACINE: Root-Pike Watershed Initiative Network2002
CITY OF RACINE: Stormceptor Design Study2002
Root River at Environmental Education Community Center2006
Monitoring Recommendations Stemming from CWA / IR Listings2000
TOWN OF CALEDONIA: Public Information & Education Program2005
CITY OF RACINE: Colonial Park Root River Stabilization2008
ROOT RIVER COUNCIL INC: Continuity & Revitalization Program2015
CITY OF RACINE: Stormwater Utility District2003
Root River at S. 60th St2010
CITY OF RACINE: City of Racine- Hairy Willow Control2010
CITY OF RACINE: Root River Outfall Assessment2004
TOWN OF CALEDONIA: Public Information & Education Program2005
ROOT RIVER COUNCIL INC: Root River Urban Corridor Access, Education and Cultural Amenities Project2013
TOWN OF CALEDONIA: Stormwater Management Plan2004
CITY OF RACINE: Johnson Park Streambank Stabilization2012
Fish Propagation Actions2001
WEED OUT! RACINE, INC.: Restoration of the Root River Floodplain Forest (Colonial Park) after the Emerald Ash Borer2024

Monitoring Projects

WBICOfficial Waterbody NameStation IDStation NameEarliest Fieldwork DateLatest Fieldwork DateView StationView Data
5577493Unnamed10035285Unnamed Lake9/12/20109/7/2011MapData
2900Root River10009355Root River 1 At Hwy V/13th St10/30/20021/1/2015MapData
2900Root River10039425Root River at Eight Mile Road1/1/20157/15/2024MapData
2900Root River413719Root River at Cth V7/20/198110/22/1996MapData
2900Root River413667Root River at 60th 3m (Bi Sur)5/31/19797/15/2024MapData
2900Root River10031289Root River at S. 60th St5/22/201010/9/2010MapData
2900Root River10025258Potential Ephemeral Pond Id 4846MapData

Watershed Characteristics

Root River is located in the Root River watershed which is 198.97 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (43.10%), suburban (25%) and a mix of urban (9.80%) and other uses (22.20%). This watershed has 306.47 stream miles, 967.77 lake acres and 6,175.95 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

Root River is considered a Cool-Warm Mainstem 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.