Winnebago
No
No
Yes
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
The Rat River is tributary to the Main Stem Wolf River, prior to entering Lake Poygan. Its marshy shoreline has areas of purple loosestrife and beaver dam problems. Of 11 barnyard/feedlot operations rated for their NPS pollution hazard, five are ranked critical, two are high priority, and four are medium priority. The average soil erosion rate is below 2 T/A/YR. Data indicates dissolved oxygen violations on this stream. Hilsenhoff Biotic Index ratings range from good-fair to poor-very poor.
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
Overview
The Rat River is a tributary to the Mainstem Wolf River, which empties into Lake Poygan.
The Rat River's marshy shoreline contains areas of purple loosestrife. The average soil
erosion rate is below 2 tons per acre per year. Data indicate dissolved oxygen violations on
this stream (Gansberg, 1992). Hilsenhoff Biotic Index ratings (organic levels) range from
good-fair to poor-very poor.
Date 1996
Author Aquatic Biologist
Historical Description
Rat River, T20N, R14E, Section 23, Area = 10.4 acres, Length = 15.6 miles, Gradient = 6.7 feet/mile.
The Rat River i s a medium brown, hard water stream that enters the Wolf River just above Lake
Poygan. Silt is the predominant bottom material. Much of the shoreline is marsh or other types of
wetland. Aquatic vegetation is common to abundant with American lotus, white water lily, coontail, wild rice, arrowhead, reed canary grass, and filamentous algae the most prevalent. The lower portion of the river supports a fishery similar to that of the Wolf River while the remainder of the stream contains a marginal northern pike-bass-panfish fishery.
Carp are common. The entire river is a popular duck hunting area. Goodly numbers of migrant puddle ducks use the area. Broods of mallards, wood ducks, and bluewing teal were observed during field surveys. Furbearers
(muskrat and mink) are common to the area as are deer. About three and one-half miles of
stream lie within the Rat River Wildlife Area, a publicly owned hunting and fishing area.
Three county roads and one state highway provide additional public access.
From: 1975. Surface Water Resources of Winnebago County: Lake and Stream Classification Project.
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.
Date 1975
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
Historical Description
Rat River, T21N, R16E, Sec. 31(11), Area = 19.4 acres, Length = 3.2 miles, M.P.A. = 359 ppm.
The Rat River in Outagamie County is little more than a level ditch. The extensive cattaill marsh and
wetland complex adjacent to the stream provides cover and nesting area for waterfowl, furbearers, and marsh
birds of all types. The marsh is not widespread in Outagamie County, but limited to the streambank area.
Logs and debris are present in the stream, and aquatic vegetation is abundant. The surrounding area is
mostly agricultural in nature. The fishery is seasonal, with a few panfish, northern pike, and carp working
their way upstream in the spring, but only the carp remain for any length of time. One town road and one
federal highwey cross this stream providing limited public access.
From: Nelson, Linden M. and Ronald L. Fassbender. Surface Water Resources of Outagamie County:
Lake and Stream Classification Project. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.
Date 1972
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
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.
Navigability Determination
; Rat River; Extension of previous determination
Navigability Determination
; Rat River; Extension of previous determination
Navigability Determination
S13 T20 R14; trib to Rat River;
Navigability Determination
T20N R14E; Rat River;
Navigability Determination
T20N R15E S1; Rat River, trib; #3-NE-03-0610WL
Navigability Determination
NW S21 T21N R16E; Rat River, trib;
Navigability Determination
S17 T21N R16E; Rat River, trib;
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
Monitoring Projects
| WBIC | Official Waterbody Name | Station ID | Station Name | Earliest Fieldwork Date | Latest Fieldwork Date | View Station | View Data |
|---|
| 251800 | Rat River | 713263 | Rat River - South Road | 9/19/1990 | 10/14/2024 | Map | Data |
| 251800 | Rat River | 10034889 | Rat River at Riverwalk | 4/4/2011 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
| 251800 | Rat River | 713264 | Rat River - Cth W | 3/19/1991 | 8/18/1991 | Map | Data |
| 251800 | Rat River | 10016758 | Rat River - Hwy 110 | 9/19/1990 | 7/22/2021 | Map | Data |
| 251800 | Rat River | 10035616 | Rat River - Area of Open Water | 7/1/2010 | 7/4/2014 | Map | Data |
| 251800 | Rat River | 10033759 | Rat River -- Kiesow's Landing - Private Access | | | Map | Data |
| 251800 | Rat River | 10034888 | Rat River at CTH II (across from farm) | 4/29/2011 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
| 251800 | Rat River | 10048789 | Rat River - near conluence with Wolf R | | | Map | Data |
|
Watershed Characteristics
Rat River is located in the Arrowhead River and Daggets Creek watershed which is 142.91 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (45.40%), wetland (22.50%) and a mix of grassland (15.80%) and other uses (16.40%). This watershed has 246.26 stream miles, 4,646.49 lake acres and 18,649.27 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked High for runoff impacts on streams, Not Ranked 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.