Mullet River, Mullet River Watershed (SH05)
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Mullet River, Mullet River Watershed (SH05)
Mullet River (53400)
5.91 Miles
17.76 - 23.67
Natural Community
Cool-Warm Mainstem, Cool-Warm Headwater
Year Last Monitored
2024
Poor
 
This river is impaired
Impairment Unknown
Total Phosphorus
 
Sheboygan
Trout Water 
Yes
Outstanding or Exceptional 
No
Impaired Water 
Yes

Fish and Aquatic Life

Current Use
Restricted Aquatic Life
Attainable Use
Cold (Class II Trout)
Designated Use
Cold

Overview

MULLET RIVER - T15N R22E Sec. 35, Stream Length = 39.7 miles.

The Mullet River originates from the outflow of Mullet Lake and the Mullet River State Wildlife Area in Fond du Lac County and flows in an easterly direction for approximately 40 miles to its confluence with the Sheboygan River in the Town of Sheboygan Falls, 17 miles upstream of Lake Michigan. The water quality of the Mullet River is considered good from its headwaters to Plymouth (approximately 25 miles) and fair from Plymouth downstream to its confluence with the Sheboygan River (approximately 15 miles) (WDNR 1968, 1995). The middle of the river, from Plymouth to Glenbeulah, has an increase in spring flow that lowers stream water temperatures and is classified as a Cold Water Community stream (trout). Upstream of Glenbeulah, and downstream of STH 67 near Plymouth, the Mullet River is classified as a Warm Water Sport Fish Community stream. This classification difference is due primarily to the increase in spring flow between Glenbeulah and Plymouth. The Mullet River is unique in that it flows from the warm water headwaters into a cold water segment. All of the other major tributaries in the Sheboygan Basin, including the Sheboygan and Onion Rivers, originate as coldwater streams and change over to warm water further downstream. The existing chemical and biological water quality information support the Mullet River's current biological classification. The river segment that flows through the Kettle Moraine State Forest Northern Unit, the Mullet Creek State Wildlife Area, and the Old Wade House State Park are located within the warmwater sport fish community segment.

MULLET RIVER WARM WATER SEGMENT DOWNSTREAM OF STH67 (RM 0-18.1) -

This reach extends from the confluence of the Mullet and Sheboygan Rivers upstream to State Highway 67 north of Plymouth. This 18.1-mile reach of the Mullet River is classified as a Warmwater Sport Fish Community stream. Water quality in this segment of the Mullet River is fair to good. Water chemistry and macroinvertebrate samples collected during 1994 indicate an increase in nutrients and solids from upstream to downstream but overall are not limiting the stream's biological potential. Point source dischargers as well as stormwater runoff, and cropland runoff result in increased nutrients, sedimentation, and bacteria to the stream. Fish barriers and water quality impacts from the New Paris, Meyer Park, and Plymouth dams present the greatest impact to the water quality of the Mullet River in this reach.

MULLET RIVER COLD WATER SEGMENT (RM 18.1-23.0)

The trout water reach of the Mullet River extends upstream from State Highway 67 to the confluence with Otter pond just downstream from Glenbeulah. This section of the Mullet River is the most heavily fished trout stream in Sheboygan County. Some agricultural pollution occurs within this segment, but is not considered limiting.

Water quality within this segment is rated as generally good, but is limited by a dam located at the Camp Evelyn Girl Scout facility. This impoundment alters the natural water temperature regime. The Northern Moraine Utility Commission wastewater treatment plant discharges to the groundwater of the Mullet River watershed. It is believed that after some treatment by the soil, the effluent mixes with the groundwater, which discharges directly to the Mullet River during part or all of the year. It is uncertain whether this occurrence is having an impact on surface water quality and bears investigation.

MULLET RIVER WARM WATER SEGMENT UPSTREAM OF GLENBEULAH (RM 23.0-39.7)

This segment starts at Otter Pond near Glenbeulah and terminates at Mullet Lake. The segment runs through the Kettle Moraine State Forest Northern Unit, the Mullet Creek State Wildlife Area, and Old Wade State Park.

Water quality conditions are good. There are fewer springs in this reach, combined with altered flows resulting from channelization and impoundments. Because of these limiting factors the fishery changes from trout stream to warm water sport fish. A dam forms the Glenbeulah Millpond, and two additional impoundments are present in the Mullet Creek Wildlife area to provide habitat for waterfowl.

From: Galarneau, Steve and Masterson, John. 1999. Water Resources of the Sheboygan River Basin. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.

Date  1999

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

The Wisconsin State Historical Society in conjunction with the Kohler Foundation is actively pursuing the restoration of The Historic Old Wade House's former sawmill, which is located along the Mullet River in Greenbush, Sheboygan County. The sawmill site was researched and an archeological dig was conducted during the last few years. The information collected will be used in the proposed reconstruction of the mill by providing insight into the construction of the original structure. In addition to the construction of the sawmill, the State Historical Society has proposed that this be a functioning sawmill, which would include reconstruction of the dam once located on the Mullet River. The current project proposal calls for the construction of the dam at the original site, but not an impoundment of the Mullet River (WWC 1997). An impoundment would be constructed adjacent to the Mullet River from which the mill would be operated. The Old Wade House project proposal and the Environmental Assessment (WDNR 1998) were discussed in a public meeting in 1998. The reports are available at the WDNR Plymouth Service Center.

The Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) had agreed to assist the State Historical Society in collecting information required for the environmental assessment of the project on the Mullet River. The WDNR conducted an aquatic resource survey of the Mullet River at the Old Wade House site, which included chemical and biological data collections (Aartila 1995), and stream flow (Galarneau 1998). Table 65 depicts the Mullet River sample sites for the basin monitoring and aquatic resource study.

The fish community in the Mullet River upstream from Glenbulah was assessed as part of the Old Wade House Project in 1994 and 1997. No recent surveys have been conducted in the trout river section nor lower river reaches. According to the results of the Hilsenhoff Biotic Index (HBI) This reach of the Mullet River has good water quality and very good biological diversity including rare mussel species (Table 68). The WDNR continues to work cooperatively with the State Historical Society with their proposed project at the Old Wade House State Park to help them obtain their unique project while protecting this special resource.

Date  2001

Author   Aquatic Biologist

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Fish and Aquatic Life communities are not fully supported in this ecosystem.
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.
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.
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.
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.