4.48 Miles
47.68 - 52.16
Cool-Cold Headwater, Coldwater
2015
Good
Richland, Vernon
No
No
No
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
The Pine River is a spring fed river that begins in Vernon County and flows south to the
Wisconsin River. The section of the river in this watershed is classified as a warm water sport
fishery for the lower 17 miles. The upper two miles above County Highway AA are able to support a
Class II trout stream. A rare aquatic species has been found in the river. The river
is threatened by nonpoint source pollution.
The Pine River originates from springs in southern Vernon County. The Pine River is
currently classified as a Class II trout stream for 17 miles. The remaining portion of the river
is considered a warm water sport fishery. A rare aquatic species has been found in the creek in
past surveys. The Pine River has been hydrologically modified as a part of a flood control
project. One of the largest threats to the water quality in the Pine River is from nonpoint
source pollution and the river is affected by cropland erosion and streambank pasturing which
contribute sediment to the river and affects in-stream habitat. The Pine River receives point
source discharges from the Hub City/Rockbridge Sewerage District and Foremost Farms.
From: Ripp, Coreen, Koperski, Cindy and Folstad, Jason. 2002. The State of the Lower Wisconsin River Basin. PUBL WT-559-2002. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.
Date 2002
Author Cynthia Koperski
Impaired Waters
Pine River (1220600) from the mouth to CTH AA was placed on the impaired waters list in 2014 for total phosphorus. The 2016 assessments showed continued impairment by phosphorus; total phosphorus sample data exceeded 2016 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use, however, available biological data did not indicate impairment (i.e. no macroinvertebrate or fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scored in the "poor" condition category). Based on the most updated information, no change in existing impaired waters listing is needed.
Date 2015
Author Aaron Larson
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
Information and Education
Richland County Land Conservation Department will organize the Pine River Study and Information Network (PRISTINE) and develop PRISTINE's ability to collect information and educate the public about the unique character of the Upper Pine River Watershed.
Nine Key Element Plan
Pine River/Willow Creek PWS Plan - Nine Key Element Plan - The Pine River/Willow Creek Priority Watershed Project plan assesses the nonpoint sources of pollution in the Pine River/Willow Creek Watershed and guides the implementation of nonpoint source control measures. These control measures are needed to meet specific water resources objectives. The purpose of this project is to reduce the amount of pollutants originating from nonpoint sources that reach surface water and groundwater within the Pine River/Willow Creek Priority Watershed Project area.
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 |
|---|
| 1220600 | Pine River | 10043819 | Pine R ~4200 US of Newburn Rd | 1/1/2015 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
| 1220600 | Pine River | 10030648 | Pine River #4 along Pine Ave | 1/1/2015 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
| 1220600 | Pine River | 10043822 | Pine R ~6100 ft US of Munsie Dr | 1/1/2015 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
| 5029494 | Unnamed | 10030645 | Unnamed trib to Pine River at Pine Ave above confluence | | | Map | Data |
| 1220600 | Pine River | 10030644 | Pine River at Pine Ave bridge | 1/1/2015 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
|
Watershed Characteristics
Pine River is located in the Upper Pine River watershed which is 179.98 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (52.80%), grassland (29%) and a mix of agricultural (12.50%) and other uses (5.60%). This watershed has 404.04 stream miles, 92.10 lake acres and 3,397.98 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked Medium 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.
Pine River is considered a Cool-Cold Headwater, 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) Headwaters are small, usually perennial streams with cold to cool summer temperatures. Coldwater fishes are common to uncommon (<10 per 100 m), transitional fishes are abundant to common, and warm water fishes are uncommon to absent. Headwater species are abundant to common, mainstem species are common to absent, and river species are absent.