Yellow River, Shell Lake and Upper Yellow River Watershed (SC15)
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Yellow River, Shell Lake and Upper Yellow River Watershed (SC15)
Yellow River (2670300)
24.40 Miles
44.74 - 69.14
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.
Cool-Cold Mainstem, Cool-Warm Mainstem
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
Good
 
Burnett, Washburn
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.
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.
WWSF
Streams capable of supporting a warm waterdependent sport fishery. Representative aquatic life communities associated with these waters generally require cool or warm temperatures and concentrations of dissolved oxygen that do not drop below 5 mg/L.
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.
Yellow River, Shell Lake and Upper Yellow River Watershed (SC15) Fish and Aquatic LifeYellow River, Shell Lake and Upper Yellow River Watershed (SC15) RecreationYellow River, Shell Lake and Upper Yellow River Watershed (SC15) 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

2020 Danbury Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 9184, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2020 Danbury Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 9184, Water Quality Monitoring Data Report
2021 Danbury Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 9184, Water Quality Monitoring Data Report
2019 Danbury Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 9184, Water Quality Monitoring Data Report
2020 Comprehensive WQ Assessments
2018 Danbury Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 9184, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2018 Danbury Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 9184, Water Quality Monitoring Data Report
2018 List of Healthy (Category 2) Waters
2017 Danbury Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 9184, Water Quality Monitoring Data Report
Comprehensive 2018 River/Stream Water Quality Assessments
2016 Danbury Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 9184, Water Quality Monitoring Data Report
2016 Danbury Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 9184, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
Clam, Wood, and Yellow Rivers Load Report, Appendix A.
Clam, Wood, and Yellow River Water Quality and Nutrient and Sediment Loads to the St. Croix River
2015 Danbury Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 9184, Water Quality Monitoring Data Report
Comprehensive 2016 Rivers Stream Assessments
2014 Danbury Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 9184, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2014 Danbury Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 9184, Water Quality Monitoring Data Report
2013 Danbury and Clam River Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project Nos. 9184 and 9185, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
Comprehensive 2014 TP IBI Rivers Assessment
2013 Danbury Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 9184, Water Quality Monitoring Data Report
2013 Danbury and Clam River Hydroelectric Projects, FERC Project Nos. 9184 and 9185, Order Amending License Article 401(b)
2012 Danbury and Clam River Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project Nos. 9184 and 9185, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
Yellow River Purple Loosestrife Field Data 2012
2012 Danbury Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 9184, Map to Accompany Water Quality Monitoring Report
2012 Danbury Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 9184, Water Quality Monitoring Data Report
2011 Danbury Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 9184, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2010 Danbury Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 9184, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2009 Danbury Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 9184, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2008 Danbury Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 9184, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2007 Danbury Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 9184, Purple Loosestrife Monitoring Report
2006 Danbury Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 9184, Order Issuing Subsequent License
Burnett County Surface Water Resources 1966

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
YELLOW LAKES AND RIVER ASSOCIATION: Aquatic Plant Management Plan Background Study2009
CITY OF SPOONER: COMP-Spooner Storm Water Management Planning Grant2021
YELLOW LAKES AND RIVER ASSOCIATION: Aquatic Plant Management Plan Public Involvment2009
BURNETT COUNTY LAKES & RIVERS ASSOCIATION: Lake Launch Monitoring & AIS Education - 2 Seasons2006
Fish Propagation Actions2001
YELLOW LAKES AND RIVER ASSOCIATION: 3 Year AIS Inspection & Education Project2010
BURNETT COUNTY LAND CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT: Learn About Your Lakes Workshops2012

Monitoring Projects

WBICOfficial Waterbody NameStation IDStation NameEarliest Fieldwork DateLatest Fieldwork DateView StationView Data
2670300Yellow River10031650Yellow River-dwnstrm Hwy 70 near Hwy O1/1/20151/1/2015MapData
2670300Yellow River665033Yellow River - Downstream of Green Valley Road Bridge8/31/20018/31/2001MapData
2670300Yellow River10014381Yellow River Upstream Of Hwy 53MapData
2670300Yellow River10039513Yellow River at Greenfield Rd7/20/20177/20/2017MapData
2670300Yellow River10059457Yellow River N of Green Valley Rd Bridge7/9/20087/4/2012MapData
2670300Yellow River10000128Yellow River - Yellow River Road10/11/20056/24/2020MapData
2670300Yellow River663020Yellow River at Hatchery Road11/15/201311/15/2013MapData
2670300Yellow River663021Yellow River at Tozer Lake Drive8/5/200910/27/2023MapData
2670300Yellow River10036761Yellow River - Area of Open WaterMapData
2670300Yellow River10041426Yellow R. near Tower Hill Rd.11/15/201311/15/2013MapData
2670300Yellow River10059459Yellow River -Hwy 70 E Bridge to East of E Beaver St7/29/20097/21/2010MapData
2670300Yellow River10040146Yellow River 0.3mi N of Trails End Rd9/18/201310/1/2018MapData
5589971Unnamed10033273Unnamed7/12/20097/15/2010MapData
2670300Yellow River10008086Yellow River10/4/20006/15/2006MapData
2670300Yellow River663019Yellow River at Sth 53-63 SpoonerMapData
2670300Yellow River10019879Yellow River -- Access at Green Valley Rd Town Of Bashaw7/18/20137/18/2013MapData
2670300Yellow River10032618Yellow River at 1.3 miles W of SpoonerMapData
2670300Yellow River10013180Yellow River Remap 1495MapData
2670300Yellow River663018Yellow River at Sth 70 Spooner7/13/20177/23/2019MapData
2670300Yellow River10036711Yellow River - Area of Open WaterMapData
2681600Yellow River Flowage10059459Yellow River -Hwy 70 E Bridge to East of E Beaver St7/29/20097/21/2010MapData
2670300Yellow River10035346Yellow River - Area of Open WaterMapData
2670300Yellow River663180Yellow River - Yellow River 1495-X10/11/200510/11/2005MapData
2670300Yellow River10014394Yellow River -Below T.Thompson HatcheryMapData
2670300Yellow River10034442Yellow River East from Hector Dam Road7/20/20117/13/2012MapData
2670300Yellow River10041428Spooner Hatchery groundwater drain #211/15/201311/15/2013MapData

Watershed Characteristics

Yellow River is located in the Shell Lake and Upper Yellow River watershed which is 166.67 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (56.10%), agricultural (12.10%) and a mix of grassland (11%) and other uses (20.70%). This watershed has 118.54 stream miles, 5,764.04 lake acres and 9,834.60 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

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

Yellow River is considered a Cool-Cold Mainstem, Cool-Warm Mainstem 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 (Cold-Transition) Mainstem streams are moderate-to-large but still wadeable perennial streams with cold to cool summer temperatures. Coldwater fishes are common to uncommon, transitional fishes are abundant to common, and warm water fishes are uncommon to absent. Headwater species are common to absent, mainstem species are abundant to common, and river species are common to absent.