Chilton Millpond, South Branch Manitowoc River Watershed (MA05)
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Chilton Millpond, South Branch Manitowoc River Watershed (MA05)
Chilton Millpond (81200)
10.58 Acres
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.
Impounded Flowing Water
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.
2019
Fair
 
Calumet
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.
Impounded Flowing Water
This classification includes waterbodies created by dams (mill ponds, reservoirs, flowages, and other impoundments) with a residence time of 14 days or more (under summer (June – Sept) mean low flow conditions with a 1 in 10 year recurrence interval (US EPA 2000)). Many natural lakes also have dams or water level control structures. However, to be included in the Impounded Flowing Waters category, the dam or water level control structure, must account for more than half of a waterbody’s maximum depth. Impoundments with a residence time of less than 14 days should be covered under the rivers and stream assessment methodology process.
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

Chilton Millpond is a highly eutrophic impoundment of the South Branch of the Manitowoc River,
located in the City of Chilton. The millpond, which covers 8.9 surface acres, has maximum depth of 6
feet, and a mean depth of 3 feet. Total shoreline length is 0.81 miles, of which 0.06 miles is publicly
owned. The millpond drains a 67.0 square mile basin. PCB contamination has resulted in a fish
consumption advisory with all species and all sizes listed as unsafe for human consumption. Past records
have indicated a fishery dominated by carp along with limited number of northern pike, rock bass, and
sunfish (WDNR 1996). Since the completion of the Inland Lake Renewal Project, largemouth bass,
northern pike, bluegill and perch were stocked in the past in order to establish a fishery. Panfish are
present, but the bulk of the biomass is tied up in carp, bullhead, and assorted sucker and minnow species
(Kamke 1995). Fish kills are a reoccurring problem within and above the Chilton Millpond; because, of
nonpoint source pollution and agricultural runoff.
In 1977 28,000 yd3 of sediment were removed and an additional 35,000 yd3 of sediment were removed in
1980 to reduce plant growth by: removing the rooting medium, lessening light penetration to the bottom
through increased depth, and by removing nutrients. Between 1979 and 1988, northern pike, largemouth
bass, yellow perch, bluegill, and general panfish were stocked in the pond. The results of D.O. vs Temp.
profiles and other sampling indicate that conditions in the millpond preclude a viable sport fishery from
June through August (Atkinson 1993).
In 1993 Lake Management Planning Grant dollars were used to fund a study of the millpond, which
characterized physical, chemical, biological, and watershed aspects of the millpond. The goal is to
provide information on which to base decisions to continue efforts to establish a warm water fishery
(Atkinson 1993)

Date  2002

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

Source: 1971, Surface Water Resources of Calumet County Chilton Millpond, T18N, R19E, Sec.13, Area = 8.9 acres, Maximum Depth = 6 feet, Secchi Disk = 1.0 ft.

Chilton Millpond is a shallow, hard water impoundment situated on the South Branch of the Manitowoc River. The water is generally turbid and silt is the predominant littoral bottom material. Water levels are maintained by a seven foot dam owned by the City of Chilton. Carp are the dominant fish species present. Northern pike, rock bass, pumpkinseed, channel catfish, and black bullhead, constitute the game from a wide variety of use problems including an occasional partial winterkill, dense growths of rooted aquatic plants, heavy algae blooms, carp, pollution in the form of silt, and fluctuating water levels. In spite of all of these problems the pond does provide some fair northern pike fishing the spring of the year. Wildlife use is limited to visits by an occasional migrant duck. Hunting is not allowed within the city limits. Developments consist of 22 dwellings and 5 commercial buildings. Hobart Park, a Chilton city park, provides walk-in access. Navigable water access via the inlet and outlet is also available.

Date  1971

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Chilton Millpond, South Branch Manitowoc River Watershed (MA05) Fish and Aquatic LifeChilton Millpond, South Branch Manitowoc River Watershed (MA05) RecreationChilton Millpond, South Branch Manitowoc River Watershed (MA05) 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

Chilton Millpond Lake Management Planning Grant 1993 Report
Chilton Millpond Lake Planning Grant: Chilton Millpond Watershed, A Plan for the Future
LPL 1825 22_Final Report_Appendix_ChiltonCalumet_CompPlan_Nov23
LPL 1825 22_Final Report_ChiltonCalumet_CompPlan_Nov23
Chilton Millpond, Calumet County - Aquatic Plant Sampling Map (20 mpts)
Chilton Millpond, Calumet County - Garmin Text File
CHILTON MILLPOND WATERSHED COMP MGMT PLAN
Calumet County Surface Water Resources 1971
Lake Bathymetry Map for Chilton Millpond 75

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
CHILTON LAKE DISTRICT: Lake Chilton Water Quality Monitoring & Macrophyte Survey1992
CHILTON LAKE DISTRICT: COMP-CHilton Millpond Comprehensive Management Planning Project2022
CALUMET COUNTY: Chilton Millpond Watershed Comp Mgmt Plan2000
Fish Propagation Actions2001

Monitoring Projects

WBICOfficial Waterbody NameStation IDStation NameEarliest Fieldwork DateLatest Fieldwork DateView StationView Data
81200Chilton Millpond 7510019587Chilton Millpond/Manitowoc River -- Access8/17/20198/17/2019MapData
81200Chilton Millpond 7510001970Chilton Millpond7/9/19929/7/2011MapData
81200Chilton Millpond 75083053Chilton Mill Pond - Chilton Mill Pond East End3/23/19936/8/1993MapData
81200Chilton Millpond 7510007719Chilton Millpond - Above DamMapData

Watershed Characteristics

Chilton Millpond 75 is located in the South Branch Manitowoc River watershed which is 189.10 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (60.30%), wetland (17.60%) and a mix of grassland (14.10%) and other uses (8.10%). This watershed has 228.03 stream miles, 86.31 lake acres and 21,287.68 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked High for runoff impacts on streams, High 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.

Natural Community

Chilton Millpond is considered a Impounded Flowing Water 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.

This classification includes waterbodies created by dams (mill ponds, reservoirs, flowages, and other impoundments) with a residence time of 14 days or more (under summer (June – Sept) mean low flow conditions with a 1 in 10 year recurrence interval (US EPA 2000)). Many natural lakes also have dams or water level control structures. However, to be included in the Impounded Flowing Waters category, the dam or water level control structure, must account for more than half of a waterbody’s maximum depth. Impoundments with a residence time of less than 14 days should be covered under the rivers and stream assessment methodology process.