Water Detail - Milwaukee River North Branch, North Branch Milwaukee River Watershed (MI05)

Milwaukee River North Branch, North Branch Milwaukee River Watershed (MI05)

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Milwaukee River North Branch (27100)

Size

23.50 Miles

Segment

0 - 23.50

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-Cold Headwater, 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

General Condition

Poor

This river is impaired

Impairments include

Degraded Biological Community

Pollutants include

Total Phosphorus

County

Ozaukee, Sheboygan, Washington

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.

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.

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.

Yes

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.

Restricted Aquatic Life

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

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.

Historical Description

North Branch, Milwaukee River T12N, R21E, Section 30, Surface Acres = 5.1, Length = 0.9 miles, Gradient = 13.2 feet per mile.
A main tributary of the Milwaukee River which drains from Sheboygan County
through the northeast corner of Washington County to the main stem just west of
Waubeka. Smallmouth bass and forage fish inhabit the stream as it enters the county.
Access is possible from a town road on the county line. Boulders, gravel, and mud
flats characterize the stream bed.

From: Poff, Ronald J., Gernay, Ronald, and Threinen, C.W., 1964. Surface Water Resources of Ozaukee County:
Lake and Stream Classification Project. Wisconsin Conservation Department, Madison, WI.

Date 1964

Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Milwaukee River North Branch, North Branch Milwaukee River Watershed (MI05) Fish and Aquatic Life

Milwaukee River North Branch, North Branch Milwaukee River Watershed (MI05) Recreation

Milwaukee River North Branch, North Branch Milwaukee River Watershed (MI05) Fish Consumption

Impaired Waters

The North Branch Milwaukee River, from its mouth to Hwy 28 (miles 0 to 23.5), was evaluated every two-year cycle from 2012 to 2022; phosphorus and degraded biology was found in the 2012 cycle and confirmed in subsequent assessments.

Date 2022

Author Ashley Beranek

Impaired Waters

The North Branch Milwaukee River, from Hwy 28 in Cascade to its headwaters, was evaluated in 2014, and every two year cycle from 2018 to 2022; phosphorus, chloride, bugs, and fish data indicated a healthy system. Elevated temperature issues were noted and listed in 2018; data confirmed impairment during the 2022 cycle.

Date 2022

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

North Branch Milwaukee River, Nichols Creek - DS of CTH N, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

North Branch Milwaukee River, Milwaukee River North Branch - Upstream Of Cth A, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

North Branch Milwaukee River, Milwaukee River North Branch at Cth M, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

North Branch Milwaukee River, North Branch Milwaukee River - Upstream of Abbott Drive, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

North Branch Milwaukee River, N.Br. Milw. - 200 Feet Upstream Of Hwy W., Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

North Branch Milwaukee River, North Branch Milwaukee River at Hwy. 28 Cascade, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

North Branch Milwaukee River, North Branch Milwaukee River at Riverside Rd, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

North Branch Milwaukee River, Nichols Creek - DS of CTH N, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

2020 Comprehensive WQ Assessments

North Branch Milwaukee River, Nichols Creek - DS of CTH N, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Final Draft 2018 Impaired Waters List

Milwaukee River Basin Total Maximum Daily Load Analysis: Total Phosphorus, Total Suspended Solids, Fecal Coliform

Milwaukee River TMDL Appendix A - Tributary Information and Charts

Milwaukee River TMDL Appendix B - Maps of Basin

Milwaukee River TMDL Appendix C - CDM Smith Decision Memorandum

Milwaukee River TMDL Appendix D - Load Duration Curves

Milwaukee River TMDL Appendix E - Sediment Monitoring

Milwaukee River TMDL Appendix F - Base Line Load

Milwaukee River TMDL Appendix G - Response To Comments

Milwaukee River TMDL Appendix H - Total Phosphorus Loading Capacity of Petenwell and Castle Rock Flowages

Milwaukee River Watershed TMDL USEPA Approval Letter

USEPA Decision Document for the Milwaukee River Watershed TMDL, WI

North Branch Milwaukee River, Nichols Creek - DS of CTH N, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Nichols Creek @ CTH N: Fish Survey 29Jun2017

Comprehensive 2018 River/Stream Water Quality Assessments

North Branch Milwaukee River, Nichols Creek - DS of CTH N, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Nichols Creek quantitative habitat assessment Aug. 18, 2016

Nichols Creek Long Term Trend Site

Streams/Rivers AIS ED Monitoring Pilot 2015 Sheboygan County, N. Branch of the Milwaukee River, 27100, 10008859

Comprehensive 2016 Rivers Stream Assessments

2013 Total Phosphorus Monitoring Report -North Branch Milwaukee River at Francis Ave, Cascade

2013 Total Phosphorus Monitoring Report -North Branch Milwaukee River at Riverside Rd

Comprehensive 2014 TP IBI Rivers Assessment

UNNAMED CREEK(ADELL CREEK), NORTH BRANCH MILWAUKEE RIVER, SHEBOYGAN COUNTY, ADELL WHEY (FORMERLY J.B. DOWNING CO.) USE DESIGNATION

NORTH BRANCH MILWAUKEE RIVER, SHEBOYGAN COUNTY, CASCADE STP USE DESIGNATION

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.

Citizen-Based Stream Monitoring

Rivers Planning Grant

The Ozaukee Washington Land Trust proposes to identify environmentally significant lands and landowners along the main stem and north branch of the Milwaukee River in Washington County and to educate landowners about preservation options.

Develop/Distribute Brochures/Literature

Educate and engage residents

Information and Education

Nine Key Element Plan

North Branch Milwaukee River PWS Plan - Nine Key Element Plan - The North Branch Milwaukee River Priority Watershed Project plan assesses the nonpoint sources of pollution in the North Branch Watershed and guides the implementation of nonpoint source control measures. These control measures are needed to meet specific water resource objectives for the Milwaukee River Basin. The purpose of this project is to reduce the amount of pollutants originating from nonpoint sources that reach surface water and groundwater within the North Branch Milwaukee River Priority Watershed Project area.

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
North Branch Milwaukee River at Riverside Rd	2008
North Branch Milwaukee River at Francis Ave, Cascade	2012
OZAUKEE WASHINGTON LAND TRUST: Milwaukee River Landowner Contact and Education Project	2000
Milwaukee River TMDL	2012
North Branch Milwaukee River PWS Plan - Nine Key Element Plan	1989
North Branch Milwaukee River at HWY M	2006
Nichols Creek at CTH N	2010

Monitoring Projects

WBIC	Official Waterbody Name	Station ID	Station Name	Earliest Fieldwork Date	Latest Fieldwork Date	View Station	View Data
27100	North Branch Milwaukee River	10033472	Village of Cascade Wastewater Treatment Plant Effluent Discharge Point	6/24/2022	10/23/2022	Map	Data
27100	North Branch Milwaukee River	10015936	N.Br. Milw. - 200 Feet Upstream Of Hwy W.	4/9/1985	8/21/2024	Map	Data
27100	North Branch Milwaukee River	10017297	North Branch Milwaukee Sth 84 Cth H	5/21/1979	9/4/2022	Map	Data
27100	North Branch Milwaukee River	603351	Milwaukee River North Branch at Hwy 144	4/9/1985	10/10/2002	Map	Data
27100	North Branch Milwaukee River	10016629	N.Br. Milw. - 200 Feet Upstream Of Cranberry Rd.	4/9/1985	4/9/1985	Map	Data
27100	North Branch Milwaukee River	605041	Milwaukee River - North Branch - Sheboygan County Line	8/15/1989	8/15/1989	Map	Data
27100	North Branch Milwaukee River	10054213	North Branch Milwaukee River - DS of CTH XX			Map	Data
27100	North Branch Milwaukee River	10010365	North Branch Milwaukee River - North Branch Milwaukee River 1 at Silver Creek Rd (327m Upstrm)	9/16/2003	9/16/2003	Map	Data
27100	North Branch Milwaukee River	10016283	Nb Milwaukee River - Snag Wood And Grass W/In Stream	5/16/1995	5/16/1995	Map	Data
27100	North Branch Milwaukee River	673113	Milwaukee River North Branch at Sth 144 1m(Bi)			Map	Data
27100	North Branch Milwaukee River	10016163	North Branch Milwaukee River - Approximately 800 Meters Upstreamof The Hwy 144 Bridge. 4 Miles West Of Random Lake.	5/16/1995	5/16/1995	Map	Data
27100	North Branch Milwaukee River	10039346	North Branch Milwaukee River at Silver Creek Cascade Rd			Map	Data
27100	North Branch Milwaukee River	10015875	N.Br. Milw. - 100 Feet Downstream From Hwy W.	4/9/1985	4/9/1985	Map	Data
27100	North Branch Milwaukee River	10008853	N. Br. Milwaukee River3	4/10/1985	4/10/1985	Map	Data
27100	North Branch Milwaukee River	10012523	North Branch Milwaukee River At Hwy M	5/17/2006	9/4/2022	Map	Data
27100	North Branch Milwaukee River	603477	North Branch Milwaukee River - Near Random Lake WI	4/9/1985	10/16/2002	Map	Data
27100	North Branch Milwaukee River	10008859	N Br Milwaukee River (Nichols Creek) 1 at CTH F and CTH NN	7/21/2015	10/5/2024	Map	Data
27100	North Branch Milwaukee River	673227	Milwaukee River North Branch at Cth M	7/11/1994	8/21/2024	Map	Data
27100	North Branch Milwaukee River	10031057	N Br Milwaukee R along CTH NN	1/1/2015	10/21/2024	Map	Data
27100	North Branch Milwaukee River	603416	Milwaukee River North Branch - Upstream Of Cth A	4/9/1985	8/21/2024	Map	Data
27100	North Branch Milwaukee River	10015891	N.Br. Milw. - 50 Feet Downstream Hwy W.	4/9/1985	1/1/2015	Map	Data
27100	North Branch Milwaukee River	673114	Milwaukee River North Branch at Sth 84 2m (Bi)	4/9/1985	4/9/1985	Map	Data
27100	North Branch Milwaukee River	10029089	North Branch Milwaukee River - Upstream of CTH XX	8/26/2008	10/9/2020	Map	Data
27100	North Branch Milwaukee River	10015738	N. Br. Milwaukee R. - Bridge At Hwy 141 (450 Yards U.S.Of Bridge	5/16/1995	5/16/1995	Map	Data
27100	North Branch Milwaukee River	10029086	North Branch Milwaukee River - Upstream of Abbott Drive	8/26/2008	8/21/2024	Map	Data
27100	North Branch Milwaukee River	10039366	North Branch Milwaukee River at Silver Creek Cascade Rd			Map	Data
27100	North Branch Milwaukee River	10008861	North Branch Milwaukee River at Hwy. 28 Cascade	4/9/1985	8/21/2024	Map	Data
27100	North Branch Milwaukee River	10021197	North Branch Milwaukee River At Silver Creek Cascade Road	7/24/2007	1/1/2015	Map	Data
27100	North Branch Milwaukee River	10031060	North Branch Milwaukee River	1/1/2015	1/1/2015	Map	Data
27100	North Branch Milwaukee River	10029688	North Branch Milwaukee River at Riverside Rd	7/21/2008	10/19/2024	Map	Data
27100	North Branch Milwaukee River	10008854	N. Br. Milwaukee River2	4/9/1985	11/12/1985	Map	Data
27100	North Branch Milwaukee River	10031062	N Br Milwaukee R along Indian Mound Rd	1/1/2015	1/1/2015	Map	Data

Watershed Characteristics

North Branch Milwaukee River is located in the North Branch Milwaukee River watershed which is 149.67 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (45.40%), grassland (20.30%) and a mix of wetland (15.50%) and other uses (18.80%). This watershed has 159.81 stream miles, 886.38 lake acres and 13,793.69 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

Milwaukee River North Branch is considered a Cool-Cold Mainstem, Cool-Cold Headwater, 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.

Cool (Cold-Transition) Headwaters are small, usually perennial streams with cold to cool summer temperatures. Coldwater fishes are common to uncommon (<10 per 100 m), transitional fishes are abundant to common, and warm water fishes are uncommon to absent. Headwater species are abundant to common, mainstem species are common to absent, and river species are absent.

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