Water Detail - White River, White River Watershed (LS10)

White River, White River Watershed (LS10)

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White River (2892500)

Size

39.18 Miles

Segment

23.85 - 63.03

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, Cool-Warm Headwater

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

General Condition

Good

County

Ashland, Bayfield

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.

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 II Trout)

Streams 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 through natural reproduction and selective propagation. 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

The White River forms at the confluence of the East, West and South Forks of the White River. It is considered a Class I trout stream for brook and brown trout for the first two miles down to Pike's Branch at the Section 21/22 line. From this point to the White River Flowage in Ashland County, and then from the outlet of the flowage to the river mouth, is considered Class II trout water, with the reach up to the dam supporting migratory species from Lake Superior. The Class I portion is an outstanding resource water. From the Section 21/22 line to the boundary of the Bad River Indian Reservation, the stream is considered an exceptional resource water.

The White River Fishery Area was created through easements to provide a public fishing area in the upper reaches above Bibon Marsh. This stretch of the White River is characterized by shifting sands with marl shelves found in places. Bibon Marsh is a state natural area and identified as an important Lake Superior habitat and priority wetland. The community of Grand View discharges its effluent via an unnamed feeder and Twenty Mile Creek to Bibon Marsh. Some elevated levels of suspended solids have been found near the discharge, but not above standards. There is little water quality data on this discharge.

As the river passes through the marsh and down to the White River Flowage, it collects the waters of Long Lake Branch and its tributaries and Schramm Creek. The river picks up discoloration here from the underlying red clay soils and while still a cold water stream is less productive for trout. Bottom types are mostly clay, with areas of sand, gravel, silt and rubble.

Several of the White River's feeder streams are considered trout waters. Most of the feeders to the river in this downstream portion are either intermittent or considered warm water forage fishery waters. The entire river system is popular with waterfowl for nesting and during migration.

Northern States Power operates a 49-foot head dam that creates the White River Flowage. Downstream from the flowage the river flows mostly through red clay soils until it meets the Bad River near Odanah, with an unstable sand and clay bottom. The two major resource issues at the White River Project are minimum flows to the bypassed reach and headwater elevation maintenance (Scheirer). The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in its relicensing process has ordered Northern States Power to conduct a qualitative flow study in consultation with the natural resource agencies to determine what minimum flows are necessary to maintain aquatic life and aesthetics in the bypassed reach of the project (Scheirer). Based on study from May, 1994, WDNR, Northern States Power and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) each proposed different flow recommendations. Due to the marginal profitability of the project, the need for power and the adequate condition of the fishery, FERC in its Draft Environmental Assessment determined that Northern States Power should maintain as sufficient the existing leakage from the spillgates to the bypassed reach, which was measured as between .25 and .35 cubic feet per second (cfs). Both WDNR and USFWS vigorously opposed the conclusion as not protective of the resource. WDNR had recommended a minimum flow of 16 cfs year-round, and USFWS had recommended 16 cfs in winter and 27 cfs in spring, summer and fall. In the new license, FERC reversed its earlier conclusion and ordered Northern States Power to implement the minimum flow recommendation submitted by USFWS.

Date 1998

Author Aquatic Biologist

White River, White River Watershed (LS10) Fish and Aquatic Life

White River, White River Watershed (LS10) Recreation

White River, White River Watershed (LS10) Fish Consumption

General Condition

The White River (miles 64.35-66.58) was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; new biological (fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scores) sample data were clearly below the 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Fish and Aquatic Life use. This water was meeting this designated use and was 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 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report

2020 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report

2019 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report

2020 Comprehensive WQ Assessments

2018 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report

2018 List of Healthy (Category 2) Waters

2017 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report

Comprehensive 2018 River/Stream Water Quality Assessments

2016 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report

2015 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report

Comprehensive 2016 Rivers Stream Assessments

2014 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report

AIS Bridge Snapshot Day 2014 Data Form [White River - Mason Park]

Comprehensive 2014 TP IBI Rivers Assessment

2013 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report

2012 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report

2011 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report

2010 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report

2009 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report

Biological and Social Dynamics of the White River Brown Trout Fishery, 2003-2005

2008 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report

White River Acquisition Final Report

2007 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report

2006 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report

2005 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report

2004 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report

White River Watershed Management Plan

River Management Grant Application - Carlson Property, White River, Bayfield County

2003 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report

2002 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report

2001 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report

2000 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report

1999 Big Falls, Hayward, White River, Thornapple, and Superior Falls Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 2390, 2417, 2444, 2475, and 2587, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report

1997 White River Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2444, Order Approving Purple Loosestrife Management Plan

1996 White River Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2444, Filing of License Compliance Plans (Including Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Plan)

1995 White River Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2444, Order Issuing Subsequent License (Minor Project)

White River South Fork White River East Fork White River, Bayfield County, OERW Evaluation

Ashland County Surface Water Resources 1966 Part 1 of 2

Recommendations

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.

Partnership Project

The Bayfield Regional Conservancy, in cooperation with the Wild Rivers Chapter of Trout Unlimited and the Friends of the White River, will sponsor a project involving land acquisiton and the development and implementation of a land protection program within the White River Watershed. The property to be acquired includes 27 acres with nearly 1/2 mile of frontage on the White River. The property is undeveloped and will be maintained in accordance with the White River Managment Plan submitted with the grant application. An agreement between the Bayfield Regional Conservancy and Trout Unlimited has been developed giving TU the authority for managment of the property. A land protection program involving land owner contacts and education will be developed and implemented. Educational activites including one on one contacts, publication of newsletters, watershed-wide meetings, will be used for outreach to residents and landowners. The use of conservation tools, forest management plans and other activities that protect water quality and enhance wildlife habitat along the river will be stressed. A final report summarizing all activities, including a copy of the managment agreement between Bayfield Regional Conservancy and Trout Unlimited, will be submitted to the Department in both paper and electronic form at the completetion of the project.

Educate and engage residents

This project includes a number of different aspects. 1. A White River Watershed Planning Group will be formed. The foundation of this group will be the Friends of the White River however the planning group will expand to include partnerships with conservation organizations, public agencies, and other land owner groups. The planning group will pursue becoming a Qualified River Management Organization. 2. Education and training opportunities will be provided for the planning group to increase the groups knowledge of broad watershed issues and management strategies. 3. A White River Watershed Management Plan will be developed. 4. Newsletters, brochures and a power point presentation will be developed to assist in the long term education and outreach for the White River. Deliverables for this project include: the organization of a White River Watershed Planning Group; a White River Watershed Management Plan; newsletters, brochures and a power point presentation.

Aquatic Invasive Species Removal

White River Flowage - removed five garbage bags full.

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
BAYFIELD REGIONAL CONSERVANCY: White River Acquisition - Carlson Property	2004
White River at Bibon Rd	2006
TROUT UNLIMITED-WILD RIVER CHAPTER: White River Watershed Planning Project	2003

Monitoring Projects

WBIC	Official Waterbody Name	Station ID	Station Name	Earliest Fieldwork Date	Latest Fieldwork Date	View Station	View Data
2892500	White River	10033487	White River at Maple Ridge Rd			Map	Data
2892500	White River	10020193	White River -- Access at near Sutherland Rd.			Map	Data
2892500	White River	10035528	White River - Area of Open Water			Map	Data
2892500	White River	10012285	White River at Bibon Rd.	5/8/2006	9/2/2006	Map	Data
2892500	White River	10036101	White River - Area of Open Water			Map	Data
2892500	White River	10035442	White River - Area of Open Water			Map	Data
2892500	White River	10010401	White River - White River - Index Station			Map	Data
2892500	White River	10035392	White River - Area of Open Water			Map	Data
2892500	White River	10013239	White River - Lower Bibon Station			Map	Data
2892500	White River	10020170	White River -- Ramp - Bibon Rd			Map	Data
2892500	White River	10036596	White River - Area of Open Water			Map	Data
2892500	White River	10013225	White River - Goldberg'S Landing Station			Map	Data
2892500	White River	10013216	White River - Sutherland Bridge Pe Station			Map	Data
2892500	White River	10015583	White River Spring Nonwadable Station (Sutherland Bridge To Primitive Campsite)	10/2/2007	1/1/2015	Map	Data
2892500	White River	10042500	Upper Station Downstream of Bolen Creek			Map	Data
2892500	White River	10050923	White River - NRSA Site			Map	Data
2892500	White River	10042532	Middle Station Downstream of Sutherland Road			Map	Data
2892500	White River	10032645	White River at NE 1/4 NW 1/4 SEC. 11 T46N-R5W			Map	Data
2892500	White River	10036572	White River - Area of Open Water			Map	Data
2892500	White River	10035443	White River - Area of Open Water			Map	Data
2892500	White River	10013238	White River - Johnson Creek Station			Map	Data
2892500	White River	10042910	White River at Mason Park	9/13/2014	9/13/2014	Map	Data
2892500	White River	10051657	Sadjak Springs SNA, Sutherland Road	10/6/2017	10/22/2024	Map	Data
2892500	White River	10013226	White River - Primitive Campsite Station			Map	Data
2892500	White River	10019599	White River -- Access at End Of Main St Mason			Map	Data

Watershed Characteristics

White River is located in the White River watershed which is 366.15 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (75.10%), wetland (14.60%) and a mix of grassland (4.90%) and other uses (5.30%). This watershed has 472.79 stream miles, 7,218.85 lake acres and 29,057.91 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

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

White River is considered a Coldwater, Cool-Warm Headwater 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 (Warm-Transition) Headwaters are small, sometimes intermittent streams with cool to warm summer temperatures. Coldwater fishes are uncommon to absent, transitional fishes are abundant to common, and warm water fishes are common to uncommon. Headwater species are abundant to common, mainstem species are common to absent, and river species are absent.

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