Unnamed, Upper St. Croix and Eau Claire Rivers Watershed (SC18)
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Unnamed, Upper St. Croix and Eau Claire Rivers Watershed (SC18)
Unnamed (2742400)
0.33 Miles
0.31 - 0.64
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.
Coldwater
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.
2016
Unknown
 
Bayfield
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.
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.
Unnamed, Upper St. Croix and Eau Claire Rivers Watershed (SC18) Fish and Aquatic LifeUnnamed, Upper St. Croix and Eau Claire Rivers Watershed (SC18) RecreationUnnamed, Upper St. Croix and Eau Claire Rivers Watershed (SC18) 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

AIS Bridge Snapshot Day 2014 Data Form [Middle EC and Bony Lake Hwy 27]
TOWN OF BARNES LETTER (2007-2008 GRANT)
Bayfield County Surface Water Resources 1971 Part 1 of 3
Bayfield County Surface Water Resources 1971 Part 2 of 3
Bayfield County Surface Water Resources 1971 Part 3 of 3

Recommendations

Partnership Project
Bayfield County in partnership with ABDI Land & Water Conservation, Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute, and Bony Lake property owners will implement a lake restoration project. More than 50% of the property owners (resulting in over a mile of linear shoreline) expressed a commitment to shoreline restoration, and additional lake protection activities, such as storm water best management practices (e.g. rain gardens), littoral habitat restoration (e.g. tree drops), and shoreline restorations exceeding minimum county and state standards will be strongly encouraged.

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
TOWN OF BARNES: Aquatic Species Established Population Control2021
BAYFIELD COUNTY: RES-Bony Lakewide Restoration & Conservation Project2007
BARNES/EAU CLAIRE LAKES AREA PROPERTY OWNERS: Lake Eco Education Program2013
TOWN OF BARNES: Eau Claire Lakes-Barnes Area AIS Education, Prevention, & Planning Project 2007-20082007
BARNES/EAU CLAIRE LAKES AREA PROPERTY OWNERS: ECO Education/Pontoon Classroom2010
TOWN OF BARNES: Town of Barnes 2020 CBCW2020
TOWN OF BARNES: Aquatic Invasive Species Population Control2022
BARNES/EAU CLAIRE LAKES AREA PROPERTY OWNERS: Dissolved Oxygen Monitoring on the Barnes Area/Eau Claire Chain of Lakes2008
TOWN OF BARNES: Barnes Area Lakes, Eau Claire Chain of Lakes Education, Prevention & Containment 2011-2013 Project2010
TOWN OF BARNES: 2022-23 Phase 1 Middle and Upper Eau Claire Lakes - Town of Barnes APM Plan2022
TOWN OF BARNES: Town of Barnes 2015 Clean Boats Clean Waters Project2015
TOWN OF BARNES: 2024-25 Middle and Upper Eau Claire CLP DASH Management Project2024
BARNES/EAU CLAIRE LAKES AREA PROPERTY OWNERS: HLR - Eau Claire Lakes Area Healthy Lakes & Rivers2021
TOWN OF BARNES: 2023 Middle and Upper Eau Claire CLP Management Planning Project2023
TOWN OF BARNES: Barnes 2017 Upper, Middle, Lower Eau Clarie, Robinson, Island/Tomahawk Lks CBCW2017
TOWN OF BARNES: Town of Barnes 2016 Clean Boats Clean Waters2016
TOWN OF BARNES: Upper, Middle and Lower Eau Claire, Robinson and Island Clean Boats Clean Waters Project 20142013

Monitoring Projects

WBICOfficial Waterbody NameStation IDStation NameEarliest Fieldwork DateLatest Fieldwork DateView StationView Data
2742400Unnamed10042887Middle Eau Claire & Bony Lakes Thoroughfare Hwy 279/13/20149/10/2016MapData

Watershed Characteristics

Unnamed is located in the Upper St. Croix and Eau Claire Rivers watershed which is 277.89 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (83.90%), wetland (9.50%) and a mix of open (4.30%) and other uses (2.40%). This watershed has 153.93 stream miles, 7,654.41 lake acres and 13,694.48 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

Unnamed is considered a Coldwater 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.