Portage
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Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
Fish and invertebrate kill in September 2005 between Hoover Street and Eisenhower Street. Record low flow for the stream since a gage station was installed in 1957 (has never dried up before). One of the most heavily studied streams and research is ongoing to evaluate monetary and aquatic life impacts. Rained the day after fish kill.
L. Helmuth, 10/9/2005
Date 2005
Author Aquatic Biologist
Overview
The Little Plover River is classified as a warm water game fishery (Springville Pond) and Class I trout stream. Recent declines in the reproductive success of trout elicit concerns about the causes that are still highly speculative. However, heavy chemical application may be interfering with trout reproduction and trout food sources. Pesticides have been detected in sediments and nitrate concentrations have measured as high as 9.1 ppm. A University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point study determined high-capacity irrigation wells and municipal wells reduce streamflow. Current estimates indicated that agricultural pumping has reduced streamflow by an estimated 10%. A groundwater flow model predicts that by the year 2005, pumping of municipal wells in Plover will reduce the baseflow of the Little Plover by an additional 40%. According to the Portage County Animal Waste Plan, the Little Plover River area is ranked as the most susceptible to groundwater contamination from animal waste sources. This may also hold true for pesticides.
Land use in the upper one third of the Little Plover River Valley includes irrigated farming for corn and potatoes. Expanding subdivisions constitutes the lower two thirds. Soil and wind erosion concerns also occur in this portion of the watershed.
Date 2002
Author Aquatic Biologist
Historical Description
The Little Plover River is classified as a warm water ame fishery (Springville Pond) and Class I trout stream. Recent declines in the reproductive success of trout reliats concern about the causes, which are still highly speculative. However, chemicals such as aldicarb, nitrates, nitrogen compounds, or other pesticides or herbicides heavily used in this area may be interfering with trout reproduction or reducing numbers of trout food organisms. Pesticides have been detected in sediments and nitrate values have been as high as 9.1 ppm. Other factors such as drought and excessive pumping of highcapacity irrigation wells may have reduced groundwater flow to the stream, eliminating space and cover. Because of investment in trout habitat improvement projects it is important to initiate a study to determine what, in fact, is happening.
Land use around the Little Plover River includes irrigated farming for corn and potatoes in the upper one third, while expanding subdivisions and home sites characterize the lower two thirds. According to the Portage County Animal Waste Plan, the Little Plover River area is ranked as the most susceptible to groundwater contamination from animal waste sources. This may also hold true for pesticides. Soil and wind erosion also occurs in the sub-watershed.
Date 1991
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
Recommendations
Monitor and/or Protect Groundwater, Sourcewater
The Village of Whiting proposes to contract for continued study of alternate municipal water supply wells to lessen the demand on groundwater flow into the Little Plover River in Portage County. Major project elements to include: 1) Review pumping data from existing wells, 2) Estimate capacity of existing water supply system, 3) Identify, study and recommend alternative well sites.
Information and Education
Portage County proposes to contact with Golden Sands RC&D to hire staff to develop a website for the Friends of the Little Plover River, develop water conservation information and education activities, and conduct a formal organizational assessment.
Rivers Management Grant
The Village of Plover proposes to contract for completion of its study of the Little Plover River Watershed in Portage County, with the objective protecting river from diminished flow due to local groundwater demand. Key elements of the project to include: 1) Identification of potential well sites, 2) Collection of hydrological data, 3) Data base research associated with potential sites, 4) Water samples, 5) Area surveys, 6) Mapping, 7) Final report.
Monitor and/or Protect Groundwater, Sourcewater
The Village of Plover, in cooperation with the Village of Whiting and other partners, proposes to contract with Earth Tech for studies associated with the development of a new water supply well; a key objective of the project being protection of the Little Plove River from diminished flow due to local groundwater demand. Key elements of the project to include: 1) Identification of potential well sites, 2) Collection of hydrological data, 3) Data base research associated with potential sites, 4) Water samples, 5) Area surveys, 6) Mapping, 7) Final report.
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 |
|---|
| 1402100 | Little Plover River | 10008376 | Little Plover River - Okray Rd. (Site 13) | 11/30/2000 | 10/3/2023 | Map | Data |
|
Watershed Characteristics
Little Plover River is located in the Plover and Little Plover Rivers watershed which is 202.19 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (41.70%), agricultural (23.60%) and a mix of wetland (18%) and other uses (16.60%). This watershed has stream miles, lake acres and 22,761.70 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked Medium for runoff impacts on streams, Medium 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.