Red River, Red River Watershed (WR16)
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Red River, Red River Watershed (WR16)
Red River (326600)
3.64 Miles
43.55 - 47.19
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.
Coldwater
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.
Excellent
 
Langlade
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.
Yes
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.
Yes
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.
Cold (Class I Trout)
Streams supporting a cold water sport fishery, or serving as a spawning area for salmonids and other cold water fish species through natural reproduction. Representative aquatic life communities, associated with these waters, generally require cold temperatures and concentrations of dissolved oxygen that remain above 6 mg/L. Since these waters are capable of supporting natural reproduction, a minimum dissolved oxygen concentration of 7 mg/L is required during times of active spawning and support of early life stages of newly-hatched fish.
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.
Cold
Streams capable of supporting a cold water sport fishery, or serving as a spawning area for salmonids and other cold water fish species. Representative aquatic life communities, associated with these waters, generally require cold temperatures and concentrations of dissolved oxygen that remain above 6 mg/L. Since these waters are capable of supporting natural reproduction, a minimum dissolved oxygen concentration of 7 mg/L is required during times of active spawning and support of early life stages of newly-hatched fish.

Overview

Red River Main stem - The main stem of the Red River originates in Langlade County and flows southeastward for 43 miles. The entire main stem is classified as trout waters. Fisheries managers believe there are probably some non-trout class waters on the river. The river is dammed both above and below the village of Gresham, forming Weed Dam Pond and Gresham Millpond. Above Gresham, in Shawano County, the river has a steep gradient. Rapids and falls provide aesthetic qualities and recreational potential, especially for canoeists. Land use along the main stem varies from mainly cleared land in Langlade County to nearly completely wooded or wild land in Menominee County.

From: Bougie, Cheryl A., Kosmond, Lisa D, and Watermolen, Dreux J. 1996. Wolf River Basin Water Quality Management Plan. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.

Date  1996

Author  Cheryl Bougie

Red River, Red River Watershed (WR16) Fish and Aquatic LifeRed River, Red River Watershed (WR16) RecreationRed River, Red River Watershed (WR16) Fish Consumption

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

Red River, Shawano County, OERW Evaluation
2019 Weed Dam and Upper Red Lake (Gresham) Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. P-2464 & P-2484, Invasive Species Monitoring Report
2019 Weed Dam and Upper Red Lake (Gresham) Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. P-2464 & P-2484, Invasive Species Monitoring Report
2020 Comprehensive WQ Assessments
2018 List of Healthy (Category 2) Waters
Order Approving Invasive Species Monitoring and Control Plan for Weed Dam and Upper Red Lake Dam (Gresham) Hydroelectric Projects, P-2464 & P-2484
2018 Weed Dam and Upper Red Lake (Gresham) Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project Nos. 2464 & 2484, Invasive Species Monitoring and Control Plan
2017 Weed Dam Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2464, Order Issuing New License
2017 Upper Red Lake (Gresham) Dam Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2484, Order Issuing Subsequent License
Streams/Rivers AIS ED Monitoring Pilot 2015 Shawano County, Red River, 326600, 593086
Comprehensive 2016 Rivers Stream Assessments
Comprehensive 2014 TP IBI Rivers Assessment
Red River Watershed (WR16) Nonpoint Source Pollution Assessment Report 1996
1989 Upper Red Lake (Gresham) Dam Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2484, Order Issuing New License (Minor Project)
1965 Weed Dam Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2464, Opinion and Order Adopting Initial Decision of Presiding Examiner

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
RED LAKES MANAGEMENT DISTRICT: Lower Red Lk Comprehensive Management Plan Project2006
RED LAKES MANAGEMENT DISTRICT: Upper Red Lk Comprehensive Management Plan Project2006
FRIENDS OF MOOSE LAKE: Comprehensive Lake Management Plan - Moose Lake2015
Fish Propagation Actions2001
RED LAKES MANAGEMENT DISTRICT: Red Lakes Management Plan2015
FRIENDS OF MOOSE LAKE: Friends Of Moose Lake 2017 CBCW2017
FRIENDS OF MOOSE LAKE: Friends Of Moose Lake 2018 CBCW2018
FRIENDS OF MOOSE LAKE: Friends Of Moose Lake 2019 CBCW2019

Monitoring Projects

WBICOfficial Waterbody NameStation IDStation NameEarliest Fieldwork DateLatest Fieldwork DateView StationView Data
338200Unnamed10052104RED RIVER- DOWNSTREAM FROM ROADCROSSING ON TROUT RD PROPERTYMapData
326600Red River10052104RED RIVER- DOWNSTREAM FROM ROADCROSSING ON TROUT RD PROPERTYMapData

Watershed Characteristics

Red River is located in the Red River watershed which is 207.12 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (54.20%), wetland (20.40%) and a mix of agricultural (15%) and other uses (10.30%). This watershed has 206.51 stream miles, 785.38 lake acres and 24,271.01 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Low for runoff impacts on streams, Not Ranked for runoff impacts on lakes and Medium for runoff impacts on groundwater and therefore has an overall rank of Medium. 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

Red River is considered a 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.