Water Detail - Lake Pepin, Trimbelle River and Isabelle Creek,Bear Creek,Rush River Watershed (LC01)

Lake Pepin, Trimbelle River and Isabelle Creek,Bear Creek,Rush River Watershed (LC01)

Lake Pepin (731800)

Size

25502.82 Acres

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.

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 lake is impaired

Impairments include

High Phosphorus Levels

Pollutants include

Total Phosphorus

County

Buffalo, Pepin, Pierce

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.

Overview

Lake Pepin, in the Bear Creek, Rush River and Trimbelle River and Isabelle Creek Watersheds, is a 24,549.90 acre lake that falls in Buffalo, Pepin and Pierce Counties. This lake is managed for fishing and swimming and is currently considered impaired.

Date 2018

Author Ashley Beranek

Lake Pepin, Trimbelle River and Isabelle Creek,Bear Creek,Rush River Watershed (LC01) Fish and Aquatic Life

Lake Pepin, Trimbelle River and Isabelle Creek,Bear Creek,Rush River Watershed (LC01) Recreation

Lake Pepin, Trimbelle River and Isabelle Creek,Bear Creek,Rush River Watershed (LC01) Fish Consumption

Impaired Waters

Lake Pepin was evaluated for phosphorus every two years from 2016 to 2020 and levels were found to be too high for healthy plant, bug, and fish communities. This lake was added to the impaired waters list in 2016.

Date 2020

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

Final Draft 2018 Impaired Waters List

Final Assessment Data from TSI Package and Assessment Units 2018

Comprehensive 2018 Lake/Impoundment Water Quality Assessments

Comprehensive 2016 Lake Reservoir Assessments

Historic Data Zebra Mussel Monitoring Report [Mike Davis; Lake Pepin; 731800; Datasheet 1996 and 1997]

Chapter 93: Parks and Recreation [Lake Pepin, Pepin]

Trimble River and Isabelle Creek Watershed Plan 2011 (LC23)

Submersed Aquatic Vegetation Target for the Turbidity-Impaired Reach of the Upper Mississippi River Pool 2 to Upper Lake Pepin

The use of Metaphyton to Evaluate Nutrient Impairment and Proposed Nutrient Criteria for Wetlands and Backwaters in the Upper Mississippi River

Mississippi River Phosphorus Study Section 2 Quality Assurance-Quality Control Report with Metropolitan Waste Control Agency, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, U.S. Corps of Engineers, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Recommendations

Water Quality Planning

The Bear Creek Watershed covers 76.5 square miles in Buffalo and Pepin counties. Bear, Little Bear, and Spring creeks are the three primary sub-watersheds within the Bear Creek Watershed. The watershed drains rolling agricultural and wooded areas with many of the tributaries originating in steep coulees. The watershed also drains one urban area, the City of Durand. All streams within the Bear Creek Watershed drain the eastern slope of the Chippewa River Valley. The Bear Creek Watershed contains typical steep topography characteristic of the driftless or un-glaciated area of the state. Because the most productive and level land is on the valley floor, most farming takes place immediately adjacent to streams. Former prairie and a portion of the forested lands have been converted to agricultural uses. The quality of trout streams in this watershed have improved or degraded as agricultural uses have diminished or increased. Earlier editions of the Lower Chippewa River Water Quality Management Plan indicated the Nelson wastewater treatment plant and Nelson Cheese actory discharged to the Lower Chippewa Basin. Due to a basin oundary change, both are in the Buffalo- Trempealeau River Basin. The majority of the wetlands in the watershed are adjacent to the Chippewa and Mississippi Rivers.

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
Bear Creek (LC01) Watershed Planning	2010

Monitoring Projects

WBIC	Official Waterbody Name	Station ID	Station Name	Earliest Fieldwork Date	Latest Fieldwork Date	View Station	View Data
731800	Lake Pepin	473012	Mississippi River - Pool 4 Near Pepin	3/29/1989	1/1/2003	Map	Data
5014348	Unnamed	10058700	POOL 3			Map	Data
731800	Lake Pepin	10058798	Stockholm Village Ramp	4/22/2024	8/10/2024	Map	Data
731800	Lake Pepin	473015	Mississippi River-Pool 4 - Lake Pepin Near Pepin WI	6/30/1994	6/30/1994	Map	Data
732200	Dead Slough Lake	10057949	Pierce County Islands Wildlife Area	7/6/2023	7/6/2023	Map	Data
731800	Lake Pepin	10053681	LAKE PEPIN UPPER LAKE UNIT			Map	Data
733510	Unnamed	10058700	POOL 3			Map	Data
5591636	Unnamed	10058700	POOL 3			Map	Data
731800	Lake Pepin	004	Mississippi River at Lake Pepin	7/1/1970	6/23/1998	Map	Data
5584587	Unnamed	10058700	POOL 3			Map	Data
5584591	Pickerel Slough	10058700	POOL 3			Map	Data
5589771	Sturgeon Lake	10058700	POOL 3			Map	Data
731800	Lake Pepin	10048611	Mississippi River - M786.2C	5/19/2017	10/4/2017	Map	Data
731800	Lake Pepin	473004	Mississippi River - 5 Miles Bl Pepin			Map	Data
5015245	Unnamed	10058700	POOL 3			Map	Data
5540718	Twin Lakes	10058700	POOL 3			Map	Data
5584593	Unnamed	10058700	POOL 3			Map	Data
5544466	Unnamed	10018475	Mississippi River -- Maiden Rock	7/11/2009	8/23/2011	Map	Data
731800	Lake Pepin	003	Mississippi River at Maiden Rock (Lake Pepin)	7/8/1975	4/8/2014	Map	Data
731800	Lake Pepin	10019752	Mississippi River - Dan's Marina	6/15/2009	8/23/2009	Map	Data
731800	Lake Pepin	473002	Mississippi River - Pepin Stp	8/2/1977	8/1/1985	Map	Data
721000	Mississippi River	10057949	Pierce County Islands Wildlife Area	7/6/2023	7/6/2023	Map	Data
731900	Wisconsin Channel	10057949	Pierce County Islands Wildlife Area	7/6/2023	7/6/2023	Map	Data
731800	Lake Pepin	473003	Mississippi River - Pepin Marina Breakwater			Map	Data
733200	Gantenbein Lake	10058700	POOL 3			Map	Data
731800	Lake Pepin	005	Mississippi River At Lake Pepin - Mississippi River At Lake Pepin	6/15/1970	6/23/1998	Map	Data
731800	Lake Pepin	473009	Mississippi River - Mouth Of Lake Pepin	1/19/1977	8/12/2002	Map	Data
731800	Lake Pepin	483030	Mississippi River - Head Of Lake Pepin	1/19/1977	2/27/1979	Map	Data
731800	Lake Pepin	10022192	Lake Pepin	5/30/2001	9/12/2017	Map	Data
731800	Lake Pepin	10018172	Mississippi River -- Deer Island Landing	9/1/2006	9/1/2006	Map	Data
5540790	Twin Lakes	10058700	POOL 3			Map	Data
5541646	Brewer Lake	10058700	POOL 3			Map	Data
731800	Lake Pepin	002	Mississippi River at Bay City	7/1/1970	4/28/2021	Map	Data
731800	Lake Pepin	10018339	Mississippi River -- Stockholm	6/17/2008	8/10/2024	Map	Data
731800	Lake Pepin	10053680	LAKE PEPIN LOWER LAKE UNIT			Map	Data
731800	Lake Pepin	485002	Mississippi River - Pool 4	10/8/1997	6/25/1998	Map	Data
731800	Lake Pepin	10058952	Lake Pepin - Stockholm Campground	8/10/2024	8/10/2024	Map	Data
731800	Lake Pepin	10043178	Mississippi River- MPCA Sites	9/3/2013	1/1/2015	Map	Data
731800	Lake Pepin	10057949	Pierce County Islands Wildlife Area	7/6/2023	7/6/2023	Map	Data
5541277	North Lake	10058700	POOL 3			Map	Data
731800	Lake Pepin	473014	Mississippi River - Pool 4 - Lower Lake Pepin	10/12/1991	1/1/2003	Map	Data
731800	Lake Pepin	10020444	Mississippi River -- Pepin Town Landing	5/12/2009	6/30/2012	Map	Data
731800	Lake Pepin	10044663	UMR15-0255			Map	Data
731800	Lake Pepin	10058951	Lake Pepin at Peninsula Point	8/10/2024	8/10/2024	Map	Data
731800	Lake Pepin	10018197	Mississippi River -- Bay City	6/18/2002	8/22/2009	Map	Data
721000	Mississippi River	10043178	Mississippi River- MPCA Sites	9/3/2013	1/1/2015	Map	Data
732000	Lily Pond	10057949	Pierce County Islands Wildlife Area	7/6/2023	7/6/2023	Map	Data
721000	Mississippi River	10058700	POOL 3			Map	Data
5015411	Unnamed	10058700	POOL 3			Map	Data
5540673	Sharp Muskrat Lake	10058700	POOL 3			Map	Data

Watershed Characteristics

Lake Pepin is located in the Bear Creek watershed which is 176.55 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (41.60%), agricultural (32.30%) and a mix of wetland (13.10%) and other uses (13.00%). This watershed has 383.21 stream miles, 1,080.51 lake acres and 16,135.70 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Low 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.

Natural Community

Lake Pepin's natural community is not yet identified 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.

Maps of Watershed

Bear Creek WT 2011 Map

Bear Creek WT 2011 LC01 Land use

Bear Creek WT 2011 LC01 OERW & Impaired Waters

Bear Creek WT 2011 LC01 Potentially Restorable Wetlands

Bear Creek WT 2011 LC01 Trout Streams

Bear Creek WT 2011 LC01 Wetlands

Trimbelle Isabelle WT 2011 Map

Trimbelle Isabelle WT 2011 Land Use

Trimbelle Isabelle WT 2011 Dams & Outfalls

Trimbelle Isabelle WT 2011 OERW & Impaired Waters

Trimbelle Isabelle WT 2011 Potentially Restorable Wetlands

Trimbelle Isabelle WT 2011 Trout Streams

Trimbelle Isabelle WT 2011 Wetlands