Shioc River, Shioc River Watershed (WR13)
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Shioc River, Shioc River Watershed (WR13)
Shioc River (316800)
27.96 Miles
0 - 27.96
Natural Community
Warm Mainstem, COOL-Warm Mainstem
Year Last Monitored
2024
Poor
 
This river is impaired
High Phosphorus Levels, Degraded Biological Community
Total Phosphorus
 
Outagamie, Shawano
Trout Water 
No
Outstanding or Exceptional 
No
Impaired Water 
Yes

Fish and Aquatic Life

Current Use
Restricted Aquatic Life
Attainable Use
WWSF
Designated Use
WWSF

Overview

Shioc River - The main stem is formed by the confluence of the West and East Branches Shioc River north of Navarino, and extends for 28 miles. The fishery of the main stem is derived from the Wolf River and is especially important during spring when walleye and bass use the river for spawning. A characteristic of the river is extreme water level fluctuations with low water and isolated pools during the summer months. The Shioc River and its tributaries flow through agricultural land with little or no buffering by vegetation. Both the Village of Bonduel and the Vlasic Foods Inc. discharge high concentrations of chlorides to the river (Masnado, 1995)

The West and East Branches of the Shioc River exhibit the same general water quality and characteristics as the main stem Shioc River.

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

Historical Description

Shioc River, T23N, R16E , Sec. 21(10), Area = 93.1 acres, Length = 19.2 miles, M.P.A. = 225 ppm.
The Shioc River traverses the north central portion of Outagmie County, draining into the Wolf River
just above Shiocton. The stream is characterized by extreme water level fluctuations, ranging from above an
established gauge to below the gauge in less than a month. The stream is generally slow moving
and turbid. Stream bottom materials consist mostly of silt with a few sand and gravel areas. Instream cover
is present but not overly abundant. Caddisflies, shrimp, and crayfish are common. The Shioc River is fished
heavily in the spring during the annual walleye and white bass runs. Road crossings are usually choked with
fishermen at this time. The remainder of the fishery is largely derived from the Wolf River. Two State,
two county, and three town roads provide 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

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