Caldron Falls Reservoir - Musky Point Beach, Upper Peshtigo River Watershed (GB11)
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Caldron Falls Reservoir - Musky Point Beach, Upper Peshtigo River Watershed (GB11)
Caldron Falls Reservoir - Musky Point Beach (545400)
0.02 Miles
0 - 0.02
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.
Reservoir
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
Unknown
 
Marinette
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.
Supported Aquatic Life
Waters that support fish and aquatic life communities (healthy biological communities).
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

Caldron Falls Reservoir (Imp), in the Middle Peshtigo and Thunder Rivers and Upper Peshtigo River Watersheds, is a 1,062.75 acre impoundment that falls in Marinette and Oconto Counties. This impoundment is an outstanding/exceptional resource water under NR102 under the Fisheries Program. This impoundment is managed for fishing and swimming and is currently considered impaired.

Date  2011

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

Source: 1975, Surface Water Resources of Marinette County Caldron Falls Flowage, T33N, R18E, Section 10 Surface Acres-1,018.0, Secchi Disk-15 feet, Maximum Depth-40 feet.

A hard water drainage lake (impoundment), on the Peshtigo River, having slightly alkaline, clear water of high transparency. The littoral zone is 60 percent sand, 15 percent gravel, 15 percent muck and 10 percent rubble. The shoreline is primarily upland consisting of mixed hardwoods and conifers with limited areas of coniferous bog wetland. The fish population consists of muskellunge, northern pike, walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and panfish. During their spring and fall migrations, waterfowl make moderate use of this flowage. There is no public shoreline. The flowage offers a unique recreational area, as the entire shoreline belongs to the Wisconsin Public Service Corporation and is undeveloped. Navigable water access is available, and five boat landings with parking are maintained for public use by the power company.

Date  1975

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Caldron Falls Reservoir - Musky Point Beach, Upper Peshtigo River Watershed (GB11) Fish and Aquatic LifeCaldron Falls Reservoir - Musky Point Beach, Upper Peshtigo River Watershed (GB11) RecreationCaldron Falls Reservoir - Musky Point Beach, Upper Peshtigo River Watershed (GB11) Fish Consumption

General Condition

Caldron Falls Reservoir Musky Point Beach was assessed for the 2018 listing cycle; E. coli data sample data were clearly below the 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use. This water was meeting its designated uses and not considered impaired.

Date  2017

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

2021 Caldron Falls, High Falls, Johnson Falls, Sandstone Rapids, Potato Rapids, and Peshtigo River Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2525, 2595, 2522, 2546, 2560, and 2581, Water Quality Monitoring Report
2021 Caldron Falls, High Falls, Johnson Falls, Sandstone Rapids, Potato Rapids, and Peshtigo River Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2525, 2595, 2522, 2546, 2560, and 2581, Water Quality Monitoring Report
2021 Caldron Falls, High Falls, Johnson Falls, Sandstone Rapids, Potato Rapids, and Peshtigo River Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2525, 2595, 2522, 2546, 2560, and 2581, Water Quality Monitoring Report
2020 Comprehensive WQ Assessments
2018 List of Healthy (Category 2) Waters
Final Draft 2018 Impaired Waters List
Final Assessment Data from TSI Package and Assessment Units 2018
2017 Sandstone Rapids, Johnson Falls, Caldron Falls, Potato Rapids, Peshtigo River, and High Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2546, 2522, 2525, 2560, 2581, and 2595 Acknowledgment Letter for the 2017 Triennial Invasive Species Monitoring Report
Comprehensive 2018 Lake/Impoundment Water Quality Assessments
2016 Caldron Falls, High Falls, Johnson Falls, Sandstone Rapids, Potato Rapids, and Peshtigo River Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2525, 2595, 2522, 2546, 2560, and 2581, Water Quality Monitoring Report
AIS Early Detection 2013 Data Form Marinette Caldron Falls Reservoir 545400 (1/4)
AIS Early Detection 2013 Data Form Marinette Caldron Falls Reservoir 545400 (2/4)
AIS Early Detection 2013 Data Form Marinette Caldron Falls Reservoir 545400 (3/4)
AIS Early Detection 2013 Data Form Marinette Caldron Falls Reservoir 545400 (4/4)
Title 12 Chapter 4: Boating and Watercraft Use [Caldron Falls Flowage, High Falls Flowage, Johnson Falls Flowage, Left Foot Lake, Big Newton Lake, Little Newton Lake, Sandstone Flowage, Thunder Lake, Peshtigo River; Marinette Co.]
2014 Caldron Falls, High Falls, Johnson Falls, Sandstone Rapids, Potato Rapids, and Peshtigo River Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2525, 2595, 2522, 2546, 2560, and 2581, Purple Loosestrife, EWM, and Zebra Mussel Monitoring Report
AIS Early Detection 2014 Data Form [Caldron Falls Reservoir, Marinette County 545400]
2013 Caldron Falls Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2525, Approval of Modifications to Approved Water Quality Monitoring Locations
2013 Caldron Falls Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2525, Proposed Amendment to the Order Amending Water Quality Monitoring Plan issued April 23, 2012
2012 Caldron Falls, High Falls, Johnson Falls, Sandstone Rapids, Potato Rapids, and Peshtigo River Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2525, 2595, 2522, 2546, 2560, and 2581, Order Modifying and Approving Updated Comprehensive Land and Wildlife Management Plan
2012 Caldron Falls Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2525, Order Amending Water Quality Monitoring Plan
2012 Caldron Falls Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2525, Proposed Amendment to the Water Quality Monitoring Plans
2011 Caldron Falls, High Falls, Johnson Falls, Sandstone Rapids, Potato Rapids, and Peshtigo River Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2525, 2595, 2522, 2546, 2560, and 2581, Invasive Species Monitoring Plan Update
2011 Caldron Falls, High Falls, Johnson Falls, Sandstone Rapids, Potato Rapids, and Peshtigo River Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2525, 2595, 2522, 2546, 2560, and 2581, Purple Loosestrife, EWM, and Zebra Mussel Monitoring Report
Caldron Falls Flowage, Marinette County - Aquatic Plant Sampling Map (1)(67 mpts)
Caldron Falls Flowage, Marinette County - Aquatic Plant Sampling Map (2)(67 mpts)
Caldron Falls Flowage, Marinette County - Aquatic Plant Sampling Map (3)(67 mpts)
Caldron Falls Flowage, Marinette County - Aquatic Plant Sampling Map (4)(67 mpts)
Caldron Falls Flowage, Marinette County - Aquatic Plant Sampling Map (67 mpts)
Caldron Falls Flowage, Marinette County - Garmin Text File
2011 Caldron Falls Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2525, Map to Accompany Water Quality Monitoring Report
2011 Caldron Falls, High Falls, Johnson Falls, Sandstone Rapids, Potato Rapids, and Peshtigo River Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2525, 2595, 2522, 2546, 2560, and 2581, Water Quality Monitoring Report
2010 Caldron Falls, High Falls, Johnson Falls, Sandstone Rapids, Potato Rapids, and Peshtigo River Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2525, 2595, 2522, 2546, 2560, and 2581, Purple Loosestrife and Zebra Mussel Monitoring Report
2009 Caldron Falls, High Falls, Johnson Falls, Sandstone Rapids, Potato Rapids, and Peshtigo River Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2525, 2595, 2522, 2546, 2560, and 2581, Purple Loosestrife and Zebra Mussel Monitoring Report
2008 Caldron Falls, High Falls, Johnson Falls, Sandstone Rapids, Potato Rapids, and Peshtigo River Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2525, 2595, 2522, 2546, 2560, and 2581, Purple Loosestrife, EWM, and Zebra Mussel Monitoring Report
Comprehensive Fisheries Survey of Caldron Falls - 2005-2006
2007 Caldron Falls, High Falls, Johnson Falls, Sandstone Rapids, Potato Rapids, and Peshtigo River Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2525, 2595, 2522, 2546, 2560, and 2581, Purple Loosestrife and Zebra Mussel Monitoring Report
2006 Caldron Falls, High Falls, Johnson Falls, Sandstone Rapids, Potato Rapids, and Peshtigo River Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2525, 2595, 2522, 2546, 2560, and 2581, Water Quality Monitoring Report Part 1 of 3
2006 Caldron Falls, High Falls, Johnson Falls, Sandstone Rapids, Potato Rapids, and Peshtigo River Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2525, 2595, 2522, 2546, 2560, and 2581, Water Quality Monitoring Report Part 2 of 3
2006 Caldron Falls, High Falls, Johnson Falls, Sandstone Rapids, Potato Rapids, and Peshtigo River Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2525, 2595, 2522, 2546, 2560, and 2581, Water Quality Monitoring Report Part 3 of 3
2006 Caldron Falls, High Falls, Johnson Falls, Sandstone Rapids, Potato Rapids, and Peshtigo River Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2525, 2595, 2522, 2546, 2560, and 2581, Purple Loosestrife and Zebra Mussel Monitoring Report
2005 Caldron Falls, High Falls, Johnson Falls, Sandstone Rapids, Potato Rapids, and Peshtigo River Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2525, 2595, 2522, 2546, 2560, and 2581, Purple Loosestrife, EWM, and Zebra Mussel Monitoring Report
2004 Caldron Falls, High Falls, Johnson Falls, Sandstone Rapids, Potato Rapids, and Peshtigo River Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2525, 2595, 2522, 2546, 2560, and 2581, Purple Loosestrife, EWM, and Zebra Mussel Monitoring Report
2003 High Falls Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2595, Dissolved Oxygen Monitoring Report
2003 Caldron Falls, High Falls, Johnson Falls, Sandstone Rapids, Potato Rapids, and Peshtigo River Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2525, 2595, 2522, 2546, 2560, and 2581, Purple Loosestrife and Zebra Mussel Monitoring Report
2002 Caldron Falls, High Falls, Johnson Falls, Sandstone Rapids, Potato Rapids, and Peshtigo River Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2525, 2595, 2522, 2546, 2560, and 2581, Purple Loosestrife, EWM, and Zebra Mussel Monitoring Report
2002 Caldron Falls, High Falls, Johnson Falls, Sandstone Rapids, Potato Rapids, and Peshtigo River Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2525, 2595, 2522, 2546, 2560, and 2581, Order Amending Water Quality Monitoring Locations
2001 Caldron Falls, High Falls, Johnson Falls, Sandstone Rapids, Potato Rapids, and Peshtigo River Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2525, 2595, 2522, 2546, 2560, and 2581, Dissolved Oxygen Monitoring Report and Amendment Request
2001 Caldron Falls, High Falls, Johnson Falls, Sandstone Rapids, Potato Rapids, and Peshtigo River Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2525, 2595, 2522, 2546, 2560, and 2581, Purple Loosestrife and Zebra Mussel Monitoring Report
2000 Caldron Falls, High Falls, Johnson Falls, Sandstone Rapids, Potato Rapids, and Peshtigo River Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2525, 2595, 2522, 2546, 2560, and 2581, Purple Loosestrife and Zebra Mussel Monitoring Report
2000 Caldron Falls, High Falls, Johnson Falls, Sandstone Rapids, Potato Rapids, and Peshtigo River Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2525, 2595, 2522, 2546, 2560, and 2581, Order Amending Water Quality Monitoring Plans
2000 Caldron Falls, High Falls, Johnson Falls, Sandstone Rapids, Potato Rapids, and Peshtigo River Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2525, 2595, 2522, 2546, 2560, and 2581, Letter to the US FERC Regarding a Modified Water Compliance Plan
1999 Caldron Falls, High Falls, Johnson Falls, Sandstone Rapids, Potato Rapids, and Peshtigo River Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2525, 2595, 2522, 2546, 2560, and 2581, Purple Loosestrife, EWM, and Zebra Mussel Monitoring Report
1999 Caldron Falls, High Falls, Johnson Falls, Sandstone Rapids, Potato Rapids, and Peshtigo River Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2525, 2595, 2522, 2546, 2560, and 2581, Order Modifying and Approving Water Quality Monitoring Locations
1999 Caldron Falls, High Falls, Johnson Falls, Sandstone Rapids, Potato Rapids, and Peshtigo River Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2525, 2595, 2522, 2546, 2560, and 2581, Letter to the US FERC Regarding Submitted Water Quality Monitoring Plans
1998 Caldron Falls Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2525, Order Modifying and Approving Water Quality Monitoring Plan
1998 Caldron Falls, High Falls, Johnson Falls, Sandstone Rapids, Potato Rapids, and Peshtigo River Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2525, 2595, 2522, 2546, 2560, and 2581, Order Approving Comprehensive Land and Wildlife Management Plans
1998 Caldron Falls Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2525, Water Quality Monitoring Plan
1998 Caldron Falls, High Falls, Johnson Falls, Sandstone Rapids, Potato Rapids, and Peshtigo River Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2525, 2595, 2522, 2546, 2560, and 2581, Invasive Species Monitoring Plans for the Peshtigo River Hydroelectric Projects (Part of Comprehensive Land and Wildlife Management Plan)
1997 Caldron Falls Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2525, Order Issuing New License
Lake Bathymetry Map for Caldron Falls Reservoir*

Recommendations

Lake Classification
The Town of Lakewood proposes to conduct a county-wide lake classification and ordinance study. The project will be used as a component in the larger land use planning process to create a set of recommended ordinances, or recommended amendments to existing ordinances for better protection of county lake resources.

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
TOWN OF LAKEWOOD: LCO-Town of Lakewood Class/Ordinance Project1998
Fish Propagation Actions2001

Monitoring Projects

WBICOfficial Waterbody NameStation IDStation NameEarliest Fieldwork DateLatest Fieldwork DateView StationView Data
515500Peshtigo River10045145Phragmites Occurrence - Caldron Falls ReservoirMapData
545400Caldron Falls Reservoir*10045146Phragmites Occurrence - Caldron Falls ReservoirMapData
515500Peshtigo River10045146Phragmites Occurrence - Caldron Falls ReservoirMapData
545400Caldron Falls Reservoir*10039802Caldron Falls Reservoir - Peshtigo River State Forest Musky Point Beach6/5/20138/28/2024MapData
545400Caldron Falls Reservoir*10045145Phragmites Occurrence - Caldron Falls ReservoirMapData
545400Caldron Falls Reservoir*10003764Caldron Falls Reservoir7/27/19997/24/2019MapData

Watershed Characteristics

Caldron Falls Reservoir* is located in the Upper Peshtigo River watershed which is 338.33 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (62.80%), wetland (31.20%) and a mix of grassland (3.60%) and other uses (2.40%). This watershed has 342.45 stream miles, 1,184.80 lake acres and 48,481.09 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Low for runoff impacts on streams, Not Ranked 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.

Natural Community

Caldron Falls Reservoir - Musky Point Beach is considered a Reservoir 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.