Watershed Detail - Fourmile and Fivemile Creek

Details

The Fourmile and Fivemile Creek Watershed is 213.96 square miles located in Wood and Portage Counties. Seventy-eight streams (654.12 miles) and twenty-four lakes and flowages (3538.98) are located in the watershed. Much of the watershed lies within the townships of Plover, Buena Vista, and Grant in Portage County. The Portage County Soil Erosion Control Plan (1986) ranked these towns as high priority for erosion control work because of both wind and water erosion.

Date 2014

Population, Land Use

The Fourmile and Fivemile Creek watershed is 213.96 square miles, Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (53.49%), forest (25.29%) and a mix of open (6.09%) and other uses (15.13%). This watershed has stream miles, lake acres and 13,528.97 wetland acres.

Date 2014

Nonpoint and Point Sources

Three cranberry marshes exist along the Wisconsin River northeast of Biron. It is unknown whether these marshes are contributing a significant amount of nutrients to the Wisconsin River. Water drawn from ditches reduces stream depth, decreases adult fish cover, reduces spawning areas for trout and likely exposes fish redds, and may result in an increase of water temperatures. Discharges from cranberry marshes can adversely affect water temperatures, deposit sediment, and release nutrients to the ditches. Periodic impounding of the ditches to flood marshes prevents fish migration, increases water temperatures and de-waters downstream reaches.

Golden Sands Resource Conservation and Development Planning Agency studied wind erosion impacts on water quality in the watershed. The study found that wind eroded soil from agricultural cropfields is a source of sediment, nutrients and pesticides to surface waters in the watershed. Much of the agricultural activity includes potatoes and processing vegetable production. Typically, these farming activities result in smooth, flat seedbeds that are free of residues and are susceptible to wind erosion. Winter, late fall and early spring are critical wind erosion periods.

The study recommends several practices that could be installed to protect the soils from being eroded by wind and thereby protect surface water quality. Some of these practices include; crop rotation, conservation tillage, cover crops, field windbreaks, nutrient management, pest management, and crop residue management and wind barriers. These practices and others are explained further in Wind Erosion Impacts on Water Quality in the Sand Plain of Central Wisconsin, 1993.

High livestock concentrations have severely compromised the physical integrity of a number of streambank sites within the Buena Vista Marsh. Unlimited livestock access within these areas has negatively impacted water quality and aquatic habitat.

Significant impacts include in-stream sedimentation, the loss of adequate riparian vegetative cover and organic loading. The Portage County Land Conservation Department, Golden Sands RC&D and the Department of Natural Resources have combined efforts to work with grazers within the Buena Vista Marsh area to find alternative methods for livestock watering. Portage County LCD staff will assist these landowners with the technical aspects of implementing a conservation plan that will achieve desired water quality improvements.

Date 2002

Ecological Landscapes

The Fourmile and Fivemile Creek Watershed is located primarily in the Central Sand Plains Ecological Landscape which is located in central Wisconsin, occurs on a flat, sandy lake plain, and supports agriculture, forestry, recreation, and wildlife management. The Ecological Landscape formed in and around what was once Glacial Lake Wisconsin, which contained glacial meltwater extending over 1.1 million acres at its highest stage. Soils are primarily sandy lake deposits, some with silt-loam loess caps. Sandstone buttes carved by rapid drainage of the glacial lake, or by wave action when they existed as islands in the lake, are distinctive features of this landscape.

The historic vegetation of the area included extensive wetlands of many types, including open bogs, shrub swamps, and sedge meadows. Prairies, oak forests, savannas and barrens also occurred in the Ecological Landscape. An area of more mesic forest with white pine and hemlock was found in the northwest portion, including a significant pinery in eastern Jackson County. Today, nearly half of the Ecological Landscape is nonforested, in agriculture and grassland. Most of the historic wetlands were drained early in the 1900s and are now used for vegetable cropping. The forested portion is mostly oak-dominated forest, followed by aspen and pines. A minor portion is maple-basswood forest and lowland hardwoods.

Date 2010

Hydrologic Features

Much of the watershed has been ditched to drain Buena Vista Marsh for farming. This has led to heavy streambank and streambed erosion due to high water velocity in the ditches. High-suspended solids, pesticides and nutrients are entering streams and impacting water quality. The Drainage District continues to provide maintenance dredging in order to remove sediment and vegetation from the channel. According to the District, this practice improves drainage of the adjacent agricultural fields. A recent decision by DATCAP requires maintenance dredging to go no deeper than the approved profile. The Department supports this because over-dredging removes critical in-stream habitat for trout and other aquatic organisms, creates deep, low velocity pools, increases sedimentation, increases in-stream habitat recovery time and reduces potential spawning areas.

Date 2002

Wildlife and Habitat

The Buena Vista Prairie Chicken Meadow is a part of Buena Vista Marsh, a large outwash plain and former glacial lake bed. The original marsh and tamarack swamp have been altered by land drainage, agricultural use, and wildfires. Much of the topography has been altered by fire and wind erosion, but the depressions still retain some organic matter and support sedges, bulrush, and willow. The remainder of the site is grassland dominated by bluegrass and is managed for prairie chickens. The natural area contains a pesticide and herbicide-free tract, studied extensively by the Hamerstroms in their classic work with prairie chickens (Tympanuchus cupido pinnatus), a state threatened species. Because the site has been maintained as an open grassland, several rare and uncommon grassland bird species thrive: grasshopper (Ammodramus savannarum), Henslow's (Ammodramus henslowii), clay-colored, and savannah sparrows; bobolink; meadowlarks; and northern harriers (Circus cyaneus). Buena Vista Prairie Chicken Meadow is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 1970.

A full list of special concern plants and animals for this watershed can be found below from the state?s Natural Heritage Inventory (NHI).

The Central Wisconsin Grassland Conservation Area

The Central Wisconsin Grassland Conservation Area (CWGCA) stretches from southeastern Taylor County, through parts of Clark and Marathon counties, between Stevens Point and Wisconsin Rapids and south to northeastern Adams County. It includes the Leola Marsh Wildlife Area, Buena Vista Marsh Wildlife Area, Paul J. Olson Wildlife Area and George W. Mead Wildlife Area. DNR proposes to protect up to 15,000 acres of additional grassland habitat. Due to the size, quality and distribution of the existing public and private grasslands, this area is particularly attractive to a diverse community of grassland birds. The state's largest populations of greater prairie chicken, short-eared owl and possibly Henslow's sparrow are found here. A great diversity of other declining or rare grassland birds, including sedge wren, Wilson's phalarope, blue-winged teal, bobolink, upland sandpiper, Brewer's blackbird, eastern and western meadowlarks, northern harrier and several rare sparrows (including grasshopper, field and clay-colored) are found locally. For more information on the Buena Vista Prairie Chicken Meadow (No. 85), visit: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Lands/naturalareas/index.asp?SNA=85. For information on Buena Vista Quarry Prairie (No. 29), also contained in the Fourmile and Fivemile Creek Watershed, visit: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Lands/naturalareas/index.asp?SNA=29.

Date 2014

Fourmile and Fivemile Creek Watershed At-a-Glance

Impaired Water in Fourmile and Fivemile Creek Watershed

River and Stream QualityAll Waters in Watershed

Only 7.9% of waterbodies in the Fourmile and Fivemile Creek Watershed have not been assessed for fish and aquatic life use, and 91.1% of waterbodies in this watershed are supporting or fully supporting this designated use.

Of the 32% of rivers and streams that have been assessed in the Fourmile and Fivemile Creek Watershed, all are supporting or fully supporting their fish and aquatic life designated use. Sixty-eight percent of the rivers and streams in this watershed have not yet been assessed, however. Three cranberry marshes exist along the Wisconsin River northeast of Biron. It is unknown whether these marshes are contributing a significant amount of nutrients to the Wisconsin River. Water drawn from ditches reduces stream depth, decreases adult fish cover, reduces spawning areas for trout and likely exposes fish redds, and may result in an increase of water temperatures. Discharges from cranberry marshes can adversely affect water temperatures, deposit sediment, and release nutrients to the ditches. Periodic impounding of the ditches to flood marshes prevents fish migration, increases water temperatures and de-waters downstream reaches.

Class I trout streams are high quality trout waters that have sufficient natural reproduction to sustain populations of wild trout, at or near carry capacity. Consequently, streams in this category require no stocking of hatchery trout. These streams or stream sections are often small and may contain small or slow-growing trout, especially in the headwaters. Class II trout streams may have some natural reproduction, but not enough to utilize available food and space. Therefore, stocking is required to maintain a desirable sport fishery. These streams have good survival and carryover of adult trout, often producing some fish larger than average size. Class III trout streams are marginal trout habitat with no natural reproduction occurring. They require annual stocking of trout to provide trout fishing. Generally, there is no carryover of trout from one year to the next. (http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/trout/streamclassification.html).

The Fourmile and Fivemile Creek Watershed contains over eighty-two stream miles of trout water. Over ninety-six percent of the trout streams miles in this watershed are classified as class I or class II trout streams, supporting at least some natural reproduction of trout. The table below indicates the names of, and where trout waters are located in the watershed, starting from the mouth at mile zero.

Date 2014

Watershed Trout Streams
Watershed Outstanding & Exceptional Resources

Lakes and Impoundments

Over 3,091 lake acres are contained in the Fourmile and Fivemile Creek Watershed. Of the 29 lakes found in this watershed, only six have been assessed, and are supporting their designated use.

Date 2014

Search for Lakes by County

Impaired Waters

The Wisconsin River from the Merrill dam downstream to the Nekoosa dam, has been listed on the 303(d) Impaired Waters List since 1998 for Mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Previous sampling has found high levels of 2,3,7,8-TCDD and 2,3,7,8-TCDF in sediments. PCBs and mercury have also been detected at limited sampling sites. Currently, a fish consumption advisory exists on the flowage for PCBs, dioxin and mercury. Since the mercury listing was delisted in 2008, the current listing is impaired for PCBs only, which are a class of compounds used in a wide variety of manufacturing processes and in transformers. The use of PCBs in new applications is no longer possible, but historical discharges or dumping of PCBs throughout the U.S. has resulted in contamination of river bottoms and surrounding bays where PCBs attach to sediment or soil and are redistributed when the sediment is disrupted or disturbed. Organic contaminants are bio accumulating substances; meaning they are stored in the fat of animals, such as fish, and transferred to predators, such as humans

Date 2014

List of Impaired Waters

Aquatic Invasive Species

Several aquatic invasive species have been identified and confirmed in Sevenmile and Tenmile Creeks Watershed since 1984. In 2002, 2004, 2011, and 2006 zebra mussels were verified and vouchered in the Wisconsin River from Nepco Lake to Petenwell Lake, downstream of the Mud Lake outfall, and in Wazeecha Lake, respectively. Eurasian Water Milfoil was verified and vouchered in Pacawa Lake in 1994, Nepco Lake in 1995, Wazeecha Lake in 1997, and Biron Flowage in 2008. Hybrid watermilfoil has also been documented in Nepco and Pacawa Lakes. At this time it cannot be determined if the hybrid milfoil (northern watermilfoil x Eurasian watermilfoil) found in the lakes was introduced as hydrid watermilfoil or created by hybridization of northern watermilfoil and Eurasian watermilfoil within the lake. Banded mystery snail, Chinese mystery snail, curly-leaf pondweed, narrow cattail, purple loosestrife, and rusty crayfish have also been verified and vouchered throughout the watershed.

Date 2014

Fish Consumption Advice

Wisconsin�s fish consumption advisory is based on the work of public health, water quality, and fisheries experts from eight Great Lakes states. Based on the best available scientific evidence, these scientists determined how much fish is safe to eat over a lifetime based on the amount of contaminants found in the fish and how those contaminants affect human health. Advisories are based on concentrations of contaminants, along with angler habits, fishing regulations, and other factors. In 2001, Wisconsin adopted a statewide general fish consumption advisory that applies to all (non-Great Lakes) waters of the state based on statewide distribution of mercury in fish and species differences in mercury concentrations. The statewide general advisory eliminated the need for many of the pre-2001 advisories because the equivalent of more stringent advice now applied through the general advisory. In addition to the statewide general advisory, some waters still require more stringent advice or exceptions to the general advisory. Exceptions to the general advice apply to some species of fish from specific waters where higher concentrations of mercury, PCBs, or other chemicals require advice more stringent than the general advisory. The Wisconsin River, from the dam at Stevens Point downstream to the dam at Wisconsin Rapids, and from the Wisconsin Rapids dam downstream to the Petenwell Flowage, has a specific fish consumption advisory in addition to the general statewide advice. The specific advisory is for contaminated fish tissue from PCBs and atmospheric deposition mercury, which are toxics. More information about the specific consumption advisory can be found in the publication: Choose wisely: a health guide for eating fish in Wisconsin [PUB-FH-824]. It is available online at http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/consumption/index.html.

Date 2014

Watershed Documents

YI_Wood_20240610_NepcoLake_44.343752, -89.810942_Kundinger

YI_Wood_20240610_NepcoLake_44.343752, -89.810942_Kundinger1

YI_Wood_20240610_NepcoLake_44.343752, -89.810942_Kundinger2

YI_Wood_20240610_NepcoLake_44.343752, -89.810942_Kundinger3

YI_Wood_20240610_NepcoLake_44.345335, -89.805425_Kundinger

AquaticForgetMeNot_Wood_20240603_NepcoLake_44.343711, -89.815296

AquaticForgetMeNot_Wood_20240603_NepcoLake_44.434711, -89.815296_Kundinger1

YI_Wood_20240603_44.343743, -89.814155_Kundinger

YI_Wood_20240603_NepcoLake_44.343711, -89.815296_Kundinger

YI_Wood_20240603_NepcoLake_44.343711, -89.815296_Kundinger1

YI_Wood_20240603_NepcoLake_44.343711, -89.815296_Kundinger2

YI_Wood_20240603_NepcoLake_44.343743, -89.8141555_Kundinger

Flow status of Twomile Creek at 80th on 9/20/2023

Flow status of Twomile Creek at Airport Ave on 9/20/2023

2020 Comprehensive WQ Assessments

2018 List of Healthy (Category 2) Waters

Final Assessment Data from TSI Package and Assessment Units 2018

Comprehensive 2018 Lake/Impoundment Water Quality Assessments

Comprehensive 2018 River/Stream Water Quality Assessments

Citizen Lake Monitoring Network - Secchi [Wazeecha, 723125, Data sheet from 2016]

Wazeecha Lake Photos

Bloody Run Creek Photo Four Mile Creek Watershed

Seven Mile and Ten Mile Creeks Watershed Plan 2011 (CW09)

Ditch #3 (Ditch Three, Four Mile creek watershed Bobcat

Wisconsin Citizen Lake Monitoring Network -- Secchi & Chem [Wazeecha 723125 Data Sheet from 2015]

Comprehensive 2016 Lake Reservoir Assessments

Comprehensive 2016 Rivers Stream Assessments

Wisconsin Citizen Lake Monitoring Network - Secchi & Chem [Dianne Brown; Wazeecxha; 723125;Datasheet 2014]

Bloody Run Creek at 32

Bloody Run Creek at 64

Twomile Creek at 80th Photo

Twomile Creek at Airport Photo

Bloody Run Creek at 32

Bloody Run Creek at 64

Twomile Creek at Airport Photo

Comprehensive 2014 TP IBI Rivers Assessment

Twomile Creek at downstream culvert of Airport Ave

Blood Creek at downstream culvert of 64th Avenue

Twomile Creek at 80th Photo

Macroinvertebrate Assessment Package Report CW10 2003 to 2013

CW10_mIBI_Rprt_2002-2013_chart

Buena Vista Creek from Taft Road

Fourmile Creek near Highway W and Highway F

Fourmile Creek near Highway W and Meyers Lane

Nepco (Wood) Curly-leaf pondweed 2011

Nepco (Wood) Eurasian water-milfoil 2011

Nepco Lake, Wood County - Aquatic Plant Sampling Map (1) (53 mpts)

Nepco Lake, Wood County - Aquatic Plant Sampling Map (2) (53 mpts)

Nepco Lake, Wood County - Aquatic Plant Sampling Map (53 mpts)

Nepco Lake, Wood County - Garmin Text File

Nepco Lake Wood County 2011 Hybrid Milfoil Results

AEPP-107-08 FINAL REPORT

Wazeecha Lake*, Wood County - Aquatic Plant Sampling Map (40 mpts)

Wazeecha Lake*, Wood County - Aquatic Plant Sampling Map (1)(40 mpts)

Wazeecha Lake*, Wood County - Aquatic Plant Sampling Map (2)(40 mpts)

Wazeecha Lake*, Wood County - Garmin Text File

Zebra Mussel Veliger and Invasive Waterflea Monitoring 2004

Wazeecha_Portage_Wood_1391200_(1997)_AquaticPlant Report

Chapter 204 boating adopted by the Village Board of the Village of Plover

Lake Bathymetry Map for Wazeecha Lake*

Lake Bathymetry Map for Nepco Lake

Lake Water Quality Reports for Nepco Lake

Watershed Grants

Grant Details

Aquatic Invasives Education

Date

3/15/2024

Waters Involved

Biron Flowage

Status

Complete

Portage County Lcd: Love Creek: The Portage County Land and Water Conservation Department is sponsoring a project to conduct a point intercept survey of the aquatic plant community to help determine the best course of action for management of EWM.

Activities: 1) Point intercept surveys shall follow Recommended Baseline Monitoring of Aquatic Plants in Wisconsin: Sampling Design, Field and Laboratory Procedures, Data Entry and Analysis, and Applications, publication number PUB-SS-1068. Submit electronic point intercept data to this email address: DNRBaselineAquaticPlants@wisconsin.govConduct .
2) Enter all data in the PI spreadsheet provided by the Department.
3) Map locations of AIS and determine contour by depth measurements derived from the survey.
4) Show bathymetry on the AIS location map.

Deliverables: 1) Completed PI survey with data entered on DNR spreadsheet.
2) Maps, including but not limited to, AIS and bathymetry.
3) Share report with Love Creek residents and DNR.

Conditions:
1) All data gathered from this project is public domain.
2) All deliverables must be completed before any APM management.

This scope summarizes details provided in the application and does not negate tasks and/or deliverables described therein. Data, reports, surveys, and supporting information, including photos, maps and GIS data, must be submitted to the DNR Biologist in electronic format and in any other format they specify.

If a consultant provides a final report, it is recommended that the Grantee provide the DNR Biologist with a draft for comment on report adequacy prior to making a final payment to the consultant. Include electronic copy of the final report along with or prior to submission of grantee's final payment request.

Grant Details

Aquatic Invasives Education

Date

4/1/2008

Waters Involved

Buena Vista Creek

Status

Complete

Golden Sands Rc&D: Regional Ais Specialist: Golden Sands RC&D Council, Inc. proposes to fund both an internal position and county staff time directed toward coordination of AIS control education, training, mapping, planning, and management practice implementation in Wood, Portage and Waushara Counties. Project elements to include training and education provided by volunteers at scheduled events, using materials provided by project staff.

Grant Details

Aquatic Invasives Education

Date

4/1/2008

Waters Involved

Nepco Lake

Status

Complete

Golden Sands Rc&D: Regional Ais Specialist: Golden Sands RC&D Council, Inc. proposes to fund both an internal position and county staff time directed toward coordination of AIS control education, training, mapping, planning, and management practice implementation in Wood, Portage and Waushara Counties. Project elements to include training and education provided by volunteers at scheduled events, using materials provided by project staff.

Grant Details

Aquatic Invasives Education

Date

3/15/2024

Waters Involved

Wisconsin River

Status

Complete

Portage County Lcd: Love Creek: The Portage County Land and Water Conservation Department is sponsoring a project to conduct a point intercept survey of the aquatic plant community to help determine the best course of action for management of EWM.

Activities: 1) Point intercept surveys shall follow Recommended Baseline Monitoring of Aquatic Plants in Wisconsin: Sampling Design, Field and Laboratory Procedures, Data Entry and Analysis, and Applications, publication number PUB-SS-1068. Submit electronic point intercept data to this email address: DNRBaselineAquaticPlants@wisconsin.govConduct .
2) Enter all data in the PI spreadsheet provided by the Department.
3) Map locations of AIS and determine contour by depth measurements derived from the survey.
4) Show bathymetry on the AIS location map.

Deliverables: 1) Completed PI survey with data entered on DNR spreadsheet.
2) Maps, including but not limited to, AIS and bathymetry.
3) Share report with Love Creek residents and DNR.

Conditions:
1) All data gathered from this project is public domain.
2) All deliverables must be completed before any APM management.

This scope summarizes details provided in the application and does not negate tasks and/or deliverables described therein. Data, reports, surveys, and supporting information, including photos, maps and GIS data, must be submitted to the DNR Biologist in electronic format and in any other format they specify.

If a consultant provides a final report, it is recommended that the Grantee provide the DNR Biologist with a draft for comment on report adequacy prior to making a final payment to the consultant. Include electronic copy of the final report along with or prior to submission of grantee's final payment request.

Grant Details

Lake Protection Grant

Date

9/1/2010

Waters Involved

Buena Vista Creek

Status

Complete

Wood County: Lco-Shoreland Ordinance Rev.: Wood County proposes to amend or create a shoreland zoning ordinance that complies with the requirements of NR 115, Wisconsin Administrative Code (as revised effective February 1, 2010) and retain existing regulations that exceed the water resource protections of NR 115 or are specific or unique to local needs.

Project deliverables include: 1. Copies of any fact sheets or handouts created for public hearings. 2. A summary of the comments received at public hearings. 3. A certified copy of the County Board-approved updated shoreland ordinance or ordinance language (if integrated into other codes). 4. Any GIS maps of the shoreland zone or shoreland condition surveys related to the project.

Specific conditions for this Project: The WDNR will be provided electronic and hard copies of all data and or reports or surveys generated as a result of this project.

Grant Details

Lake Protection Grant

Date

9/1/2009

Waters Involved

Jordan Pond

Status

Complete

Portage County Lcd: Lco-Portage Lakes Class 3: Portage County seeks to implement Phase 3 of its lake management planning efforts for 17 lakes in Portage County to help facilitate county-wide lake protection planning. Major project elements to include: 1) individual lake resident/user surveys and plan development, 2) web-based reporting system, 3) build-out assessment and predictive modeling, 4) development of guide for local boards and commissions, 5) final project report.

Grant Details

Lake Protection Grant

Date

9/1/2010

Waters Involved

Nepco Lake

Status

Complete

Wood County: Lco-Shoreland Ordinance Rev.: Wood County proposes to amend or create a shoreland zoning ordinance that complies with the requirements of NR 115, Wisconsin Administrative Code (as revised effective February 1, 2010) and retain existing regulations that exceed the water resource protections of NR 115 or are specific or unique to local needs.

Project deliverables include: 1. Copies of any fact sheets or handouts created for public hearings. 2. A summary of the comments received at public hearings. 3. A certified copy of the County Board-approved updated shoreland ordinance or ordinance language (if integrated into other codes). 4. Any GIS maps of the shoreland zone or shoreland condition surveys related to the project.

Specific conditions for this Project: The WDNR will be provided electronic and hard copies of all data and or reports or surveys generated as a result of this project.

Grant Details

Lake Protection Grant

Date

9/1/2008

Waters Involved

Onland Lake

Status

Complete

Portage County Lcd: Lco-Portage Lakes Class 1: The Portage Co. Land Conservation Dept. proposes to conduct a series of studies to help shape the management of 28 Portage County lakes, and to help local planners in the development of land use regulations in the vicinity of these lakes. Major project elements to include: 1) Citizen surveys, 2) Planning meetings, 3) I&E, including web-based reports and access to data, 4) Development of a menu of management options, 5) Baseline Land-use Inventory, 6) Calculation of build-out impacts based on existing regulatory framework, 7) Development of guide for local planners.

Grant Details

Lake Protection Grant

Date

9/1/2008

Waters Involved

Pickerel Lake

Status

Complete

Portage County Lcd: Lco-Portage Lakes Class 2: The Portage Co. Land Conservation Dept. proposes to conduct a series of studies to help shape the management of 28 Portage County lakes, and to help local planners in the development of land use regulations in the vicinity of these lakes. Major project elements to include: 1) Citizen surveys, 2) Planning meetings, 3) I&E, including web-based reports and access to data, 4) Development of a menu of management options, 5) Baseline Land-use Inventory, 6) Calculation of build-out impacts based on existing regulatory framework, 7) Development of guide for local planners.

Grant Details

Lake Protection Grant

Date

9/1/2010

Waters Involved

Pickerel Lake

Status

Complete

Portage County Lcd: Res_Portage County Restore: Portage County proposes to offer technical assistance and other coordination and outreach services to citizens involved in the development of lake management plans and the implementation of shoreland restorartion practices on their riparian properties. Major project elements to include outreach and coordination.

Grant Details

Lake Protection Grant

Date

9/1/2009

Waters Involved

Plover River

Status

Complete

Portage County Lcd: Lco-Portage Lakes Class 3: Portage County seeks to implement Phase 3 of its lake management planning efforts for 17 lakes in Portage County to help facilitate county-wide lake protection planning. Major project elements to include: 1) individual lake resident/user surveys and plan development, 2) web-based reporting system, 3) build-out assessment and predictive modeling, 4) development of guide for local boards and commissions, 5) final project report.

Grant Details

Lake Protection Grant

Date

7/1/2008

Waters Involved

Wisconsin River

Status

Complete

Portage County Lcd: Lmi-Portage Lake Nutrients: The Portage Co. Land Conservation Dept. proposes to continue its funding of a nutrient management educator position to work with agricultural producers to reduce phosphorus inputs into the Upper Wisconsin River watershed and associated flowages.

Grant Details

Lake Protection Grant

Date

7/1/2008

Waters Involved

Wisconsin River Flowage Number 2 49

Status

Complete

Portage County Lcd: Lmi-Portage Lake Nutrients: The Portage Co. Land Conservation Dept. proposes to continue its funding of a nutrient management educator position to work with agricultural producers to reduce phosphorus inputs into the Upper Wisconsin River watershed and associated flowages.

Grant Details

Large Scale Lake Planning

Date

4/1/2010

Waters Involved

Castle Rock Ditch

Status

Complete

Lake Alice Association, Inc: Lake Alice Stewardship Program Phase Ii - Understanding The Biota Of Lake Alice: Lake Alice Association is sponsoring phased large scale lake planning grants to study Lake Alice, in Lincoln County. The project will focus on developing and updating an Adaptive Lake Management Plan (LMP) for Lake Alice. Phase 2 was funded in this grant cycle and Phases 3-5 will be submitted for funding starting in 2011.

Project activities for Phase 2 include: 1) Educational program, meetings and educational events with lake association and Tomahawk High School students, written educational materials, news releases, and website updates; 2) Point-intercept (PI) aquatic plant survey; 3) Aquatic plant community and substrate mapping; 4) Water quality assessment; 5) Volunteer amphibian monitoring and angler survey; 6) Update LMP.

Project deliverables include: 1) Educational materials and news releases; 2) Aquatic plant community and substrate maps; 3) PI, water quality, amphibian, and angler data; 4) LMP.

Specific conditions for this project: LMP needs Dept review and approval

WDNR Lakes Management Coordinator will be provided with an electronic (pdf or word) and hard copy of LMP, news releases, any other educational materials/products, all data, all maps from project, and all GIS data.

Grant Details

Large Scale Lake Planning

Date

4/1/2010

Waters Involved

Cruson Slough

Status

Complete

Lake Alice Association, Inc: Lake Alice Stewardship Program Phase Ii - Understanding The Biota Of Lake Alice: Lake Alice Association is sponsoring phased large scale lake planning grants to study Lake Alice, in Lincoln County. The project will focus on developing and updating an Adaptive Lake Management Plan (LMP) for Lake Alice. Phase 2 was funded in this grant cycle and Phases 3-5 will be submitted for funding starting in 2011.

Project activities for Phase 2 include: 1) Educational program, meetings and educational events with lake association and Tomahawk High School students, written educational materials, news releases, and website updates; 2) Point-intercept (PI) aquatic plant survey; 3) Aquatic plant community and substrate mapping; 4) Water quality assessment; 5) Volunteer amphibian monitoring and angler survey; 6) Update LMP.

Project deliverables include: 1) Educational materials and news releases; 2) Aquatic plant community and substrate maps; 3) PI, water quality, amphibian, and angler data; 4) LMP.

Specific conditions for this project: LMP needs Dept review and approval

WDNR Lakes Management Coordinator will be provided with an electronic (pdf or word) and hard copy of LMP, news releases, any other educational materials/products, all data, all maps from project, and all GIS data.

Grant Details

Large Scale Lake Planning

Date

4/1/2010

Waters Involved

Lake Du Bay

Status

Complete

Lake Alice Association, Inc: Lake Alice Stewardship Program Phase Ii - Understanding The Biota Of Lake Alice: Lake Alice Association is sponsoring phased large scale lake planning grants to study Lake Alice, in Lincoln County. The project will focus on developing and updating an Adaptive Lake Management Plan (LMP) for Lake Alice. Phase 2 was funded in this grant cycle and Phases 3-5 will be submitted for funding starting in 2011.

Project activities for Phase 2 include: 1) Educational program, meetings and educational events with lake association and Tomahawk High School students, written educational materials, news releases, and website updates; 2) Point-intercept (PI) aquatic plant survey; 3) Aquatic plant community and substrate mapping; 4) Water quality assessment; 5) Volunteer amphibian monitoring and angler survey; 6) Update LMP.

Project deliverables include: 1) Educational materials and news releases; 2) Aquatic plant community and substrate maps; 3) PI, water quality, amphibian, and angler data; 4) LMP.

Specific conditions for this project: LMP needs Dept review and approval

WDNR Lakes Management Coordinator will be provided with an electronic (pdf or word) and hard copy of LMP, news releases, any other educational materials/products, all data, all maps from project, and all GIS data.

Grant Details

Large Scale Lake Planning

Date

4/1/2010

Waters Involved

Little Pine Creek

Status

Complete

Lake Alice Association, Inc: Lake Alice Stewardship Program Phase Ii - Understanding The Biota Of Lake Alice: Lake Alice Association is sponsoring phased large scale lake planning grants to study Lake Alice, in Lincoln County. The project will focus on developing and updating an Adaptive Lake Management Plan (LMP) for Lake Alice. Phase 2 was funded in this grant cycle and Phases 3-5 will be submitted for funding starting in 2011.

Project activities for Phase 2 include: 1) Educational program, meetings and educational events with lake association and Tomahawk High School students, written educational materials, news releases, and website updates; 2) Point-intercept (PI) aquatic plant survey; 3) Aquatic plant community and substrate mapping; 4) Water quality assessment; 5) Volunteer amphibian monitoring and angler survey; 6) Update LMP.

Project deliverables include: 1) Educational materials and news releases; 2) Aquatic plant community and substrate maps; 3) PI, water quality, amphibian, and angler data; 4) LMP.

Specific conditions for this project: LMP needs Dept review and approval

WDNR Lakes Management Coordinator will be provided with an electronic (pdf or word) and hard copy of LMP, news releases, any other educational materials/products, all data, all maps from project, and all GIS data.

Grant Details

Large Scale Lake Planning

Date

4/1/2010

Waters Involved

Unnamed

Status

Complete

Lake Alice Association, Inc: Lake Alice Stewardship Program Phase Ii - Understanding The Biota Of Lake Alice: Lake Alice Association is sponsoring phased large scale lake planning grants to study Lake Alice, in Lincoln County. The project will focus on developing and updating an Adaptive Lake Management Plan (LMP) for Lake Alice. Phase 2 was funded in this grant cycle and Phases 3-5 will be submitted for funding starting in 2011.

Project activities for Phase 2 include: 1) Educational program, meetings and educational events with lake association and Tomahawk High School students, written educational materials, news releases, and website updates; 2) Point-intercept (PI) aquatic plant survey; 3) Aquatic plant community and substrate mapping; 4) Water quality assessment; 5) Volunteer amphibian monitoring and angler survey; 6) Update LMP.

Project deliverables include: 1) Educational materials and news releases; 2) Aquatic plant community and substrate maps; 3) PI, water quality, amphibian, and angler data; 4) LMP.

Specific conditions for this project: LMP needs Dept review and approval

WDNR Lakes Management Coordinator will be provided with an electronic (pdf or word) and hard copy of LMP, news releases, any other educational materials/products, all data, all maps from project, and all GIS data.

Grant Details

Large Scale Lake Planning

Date

4/1/1991

Waters Involved

Wazeecha Lake

Status

Complete

Portage County: Lake Wazeecha Water Quality And Watershed Study: DEVELOP LAND USE MAP FOR LAKE AND WATERSHED. COMPILE EXISTING DATA TO CREATE A SURFACE AND GROUNDWATER MAP. DOCUMENT SOURCES AND VOLUME OF SEDIMENT LOADING. COLLECT AND REVIEW PAST AND PRESENT WATER QUALITY. RESULTS WILL BE DISSEMINATED THROUGH PUBLICMEETINGS, LOCAL MEDIA, NEWSLETTERS, ETC.

Grant Details

Large Scale Lake Planning

Date

4/1/2010

Waters Involved

Wisconsin River

Status

Complete

Lake Alice Association, Inc: Lake Alice Stewardship Program Phase Ii - Understanding The Biota Of Lake Alice: Lake Alice Association is sponsoring phased large scale lake planning grants to study Lake Alice, in Lincoln County. The project will focus on developing and updating an Adaptive Lake Management Plan (LMP) for Lake Alice. Phase 2 was funded in this grant cycle and Phases 3-5 will be submitted for funding starting in 2011.

Project activities for Phase 2 include: 1) Educational program, meetings and educational events with lake association and Tomahawk High School students, written educational materials, news releases, and website updates; 2) Point-intercept (PI) aquatic plant survey; 3) Aquatic plant community and substrate mapping; 4) Water quality assessment; 5) Volunteer amphibian monitoring and angler survey; 6) Update LMP.

Project deliverables include: 1) Educational materials and news releases; 2) Aquatic plant community and substrate maps; 3) PI, water quality, amphibian, and angler data; 4) LMP.

Specific conditions for this project: LMP needs Dept review and approval

WDNR Lakes Management Coordinator will be provided with an electronic (pdf or word) and hard copy of LMP, news releases, any other educational materials/products, all data, all maps from project, and all GIS data.

Grant Details

Urban Nonpoint - Stormwater Planning

Date

10/1/2005

Waters Involved

Wisconsin Rapids Flowage

Status

Complete

City Of Wisconsin Rapids: Stormwater Plan & Funding: To develop municipal runoff ordinances in compliance with Chapter NR151, map the area's drainage systems, develop a stormwater management plan, provide for public involvement & education, and examine options for dedicated revenue sources.

Grant Details

Urban Nonpoint - Stormwater Planning

Date

10/1/2005

Waters Involved

Wisconsin River

Status

Complete

City Of Wisconsin Rapids: Stormwater Plan & Funding: To develop municipal runoff ordinances in compliance with Chapter NR151, map the area's drainage systems, develop a stormwater management plan, provide for public involvement & education, and examine options for dedicated revenue sources.

Monitoring & Projects

Projects including grants, restoration work and studies shown below have occurred in this watershed. Click the links below to read through the text. While these are not an exhaustive list of activities, they provide insight into the management activities happening in this watershed.

Grants and Management Projects

Project Name (Click for Details)	Year Awarded
Central Sands Project - Flow Monitoring - Wood County	2013
PORTAGE COUNTY LCD: RES_Portage County Restore	2010
PORTAGE COUNTY LCD: LCO-Portage Lakes Class 1	2008
PORTAGE COUNTY: Lake Wazeecha Water Quality and Watershed Study	1991
GOLDEN SANDS RC&D: Regional AIS Specialist	2008
Wetland Restoration Database	2016
Wisconsin River 2013 HUC 12 Data Gap Analysis - WCR_18_CMP13B	2013
CITY OF WISCONSIN RAPIDS: WI Rapids Storm Water Management Plan Update	2016
PORTAGE COUNTY LCD: Portage County Lakes Study--Water Quality and Herptology Study	2002
Aquatic Invasives County Coordinator - Wood County	2011
LAKE ALICE ASSOCIATION, INC: Lake Alice Stewardship Program Phase II - Understanding the Biota of Lake Alice	2010
PORTAGE COUNTY LCD: LCO-Portage Co Lake Classification - Phase 4	2003
PORTAGE COUNTY LCD: LCO-Portage Co. Lake Study (Classification) #1	2002
WOOD COUNTY: LCO-Shoreland Ordinance Rev.	2010
PORTAGE COUNTY: LCO-Shoreland Ordinance Revision	2011
CITY OF WISCONSIN RAPIDS: Two Mile Pond	2012
Monitoring Recommendations Stemming from CWA / IR Listings	2000
WOOD COUNTY: Mill Creek Watershed 9 Key TMDL Project	2020
PORTAGE COUNTY LCD: Portage Co EWM Implementation Plan	2005
Wisconsin Rapids SSA Plan	2011
Regional 303d Lake Monitoring: Trow Lake (1711500), Oakwood Lake(1713200), Lake Dexter (1369900) and Lake Marinuka (1678200) WCR_01_09	2008
PORTAGE COUNTY LCD: LCO-Portage Co. Lake Study (Classification) #2	2002
CITY OF WISCONSIN RAPIDS: Stormwater Plan & Funding	2005
Aquatic Invasives County Coordinator - Portage County	2011
PORTAGE COUNTY LCD: LCO-Portage Lakes Class 2	2008
PORTAGE COUNTY LCD: LMI-Portage Lake Nutrients	2008
PORTAGE COUNTY LCD: Love Creek	2024
PORTAGE COUNTY LCD: LCO-Portage Lakes Class 3	2009
PORTAGE COUNTY LCD: Trapp Manure Storage	2013
PORTAGE COUNTY LCD: Robert Helbach Manure Storage	2018
CITY OF PORTAGE: TMDL Stormwater Planning	2018
Fish Propagation Actions	2001
Fourmile and Fivemile Creek (CW10) Watershed Planning	2011
CITY OF STEVENS POINT: Stevens Point Stormwater Mgmt Plan Updates	2014
PORTAGE COUNTY LCD: Portage EWM	2011
WOOD COUNTY: Lee Deboer NOD	2016
PORTAGE COUNTY LCD: HLK-Portage Co. Healthy Lakes	2016
PORTAGE COUNTY LCD: Portage County Lakes Study--Water Quality and Fisheries Inventory	2002
PORTAGE COUNTY: Portage Co. Lakes #5	2004
PORTAGE COUNTY LCD: RES-Portage Restore 2, Survey	2011
PORTAGE COUNTY: LCO-Portage Co Lake Classification - Phase 3	2003

Priorities

11/22/2014

Implement best management practices for stormwater runoff in urban and urbanizing areas from recommendations created in stormwater plans.

Watershed Recommendations

Action Migrated from WATERS

Date

Status

Watershed staff, in cooperation with Portage County Land Conservation Department and Central Wisconsin Windshed Partnership, should continue to work with local farmers to encourage wind erosion best management practices.

1/1/2010

Proposed

Best Management Practices, Implement

Portage TMDL Stormwater Planning

Date

Status

This project is an installation of nonpoint source best management practices to contribute to the restoration of Wisconsin's waters and was funded by the 319 grant. Storm water planning activities will be undertaken by the municipality and will result in the following products: updated construction erosion control ordinance; updated storm water ordinance for new development and re-development; other new ordinances that affect runoff from the developed urban area; updated storm water management plan for the entire developed urban area; and an updated storm water management plan for new development.

1/1/2018

In Progress

Projects

CITY OF PORTAGE: TMDL Stormwater Planning

Best Management Practices, Implement

Portage County Manure Storage

Date

Status

This project is a landowner installation of nonpoint source best management practices to contribute to the restoration of Wisconsin's waters and was funded by the 319 grant. Specifically, the grantee will implement: a manure storage system; and a barnyard runoff control system.

1/1/2018

In Progress

Projects

PORTAGE COUNTY LCD: Robert Helbach Manure Storage

Best Management Practices, Implement

WI Rapids Storm Water Management Plan Update

Date

Status

This project is an installation of nonpoint source best management practices to contribute to the restoration of Wisconsin's waters and was funded by the 319 grant. Storm water planning activities will be undertaken by the municipality and will result in the following products: updated storm water management plan for the developed urban area.

1/1/2016

In Progress

Projects

CITY OF WISCONSIN RAPIDS: WI Rapids Storm Water Management Plan Update

Documents

City of Wisconsin Rapids SWMP - Grant Agreement

City of Wisconsin Rapids SWMP - Grant Application

Best Management Practices, Implement

Stevens Point Stormwater Mgmt Plan Updates

Date

Status

This project is an installation of nonpoint source best management practices to contribute to the restoration of Wisconsin's waters and was funded by the 319 grant. Specifically, the grantee will cost share updates to the city's storm water management plan to assist the city to comply with expected Wisconsin River TMDL wasteload allocations for TP and TSS and recent changes to NR 151. Activities will include modeling, ordinance updates, a feasibility study for BMP retrofits, and site assessments for proposed BMPs, including environmental hazard, wetland, cultural resource, and endangered and threatened species evaluations.

1/1/2014

In Progress

Projects

CITY OF STEVENS POINT: Stevens Point Stormwater Mgmt Plan Updates

Monitor Fish Tissue

Confirm FCA: IW pre-2000 data

Date

Status

1179900 name Wisconsin River TMDL ID 622 Start Mile 0 End Mile 27.67

11/21/2011

Proposed

Monitor Fish Tissue

Confirm FCA: IW pre-2000 data

Date

Status

1179900 name Wisconsin River TMDL ID 530 Start Mile 237.05 End Mile 268

11/21/2011

Proposed

Monitor to Evaluate Stream Baseflow

Twomile Creek

Date

Status

Twomile Creek 1389900

11/24/2014

In Progress

Monitor to Evaluate Stream Baseflow

Fivemile Creek Monitoring

Date

Status

1388600 Fivemile Creek Monitoring Stream Baseflow

11/24/2013

In Progress

Projects

Monitoring Recommendations Stemming from CWA / IR Listings

Monitor to Evaluate Stream Baseflow

Bloody Run Creek

Date

Status

Bloody Run Creek 1390600 Stream Baseflow

1/1/2013

In Progress

Projects

Central Sands Project - Flow Monitoring - Wood County

Protect Headwaters and Springs

Date

Status

Continue to work with the City of Wisconsin Rapids to minimize impacts from groundwater extraction on Bloody Run Creek.

1/1/2010

Proposed

Protect Riparian or Shorelands

Four Mile Creek WQ Protection

Date

Status

Address the issue of WQ protection and development along Nepco Lake and the Four-mile Creek. SSA Plan Committee agreed to extend the proposed area after counseling with the Village of Port Edwards.

7/1/2011

Proposed

Protect Riparian or Shorelands

Nepco Lake Water Quality Protection

Date

Status

Address the issue of WQ protection and development along Nepco Lake and the Four-mile Creek. SSA Plan Committee agreed to extend the proposed area after counseling with the Village of Port Edwards.

4/1/2011

In Progress

Projects

Wisconsin Rapids SSA Plan

Urban Growth Planning

Wisconsin Rapids, Wood County

Date

Status

SSA Planning and Updates for Wisconsin Rapids

4/1/2011

In Progress

Projects

Wisconsin Rapids SSA Plan

Water Quality Planning

Fourmile and Fivemile Creek Watershed

Date

Status

The Fourmile and Fivemile Creek Watershed is 213.96 square miles located in Wood and Portage Counties. Seventy-eight streams (654.12 miles) and twenty-four lakes and flowages (3538.98) are located in the watershed. Much of the watershed lies within the townships of Plover, Buena Vista, and Grant in Portage County. The Portage County Soil Erosion Control Plan (1986) ranked these towns as high priority for erosion control work because of both wind and water erosion.

7/1/2011

In Progress

Projects

Fourmile and Fivemile Creek (CW10) Watershed Planning

Water Plans and Partnerships

Watershed Plan for Fourmile and Fivemile Creek (CW10) is in final draft format.

Date 2015

Watershed History Note

The city of Wisconsin Rapids is split by the Wisconsin River. The eastern side of the city is located in the Fourmile and Fivemile Creek watershed. The history of Wisconsin Rapids literally is "a Tale of Two Cities." It was not until 1900 that "Grand Rapids" on the east, and "Centralia" on the west bank of the Wisconsin River, consolidated, and not until 1920 that its name became "Wisconsin Rapids." The English and Irish founders of Grand Rapids had worked their way westward from New York, attracted by the newly discovered and apparently limitless forests, chiefly of White and Norway pine, bordering the Wisconsin River. They settled here because of the tremendous fall, thought to be 45 feet, of tumbling waters, split at its top by a tremendous rock, called "Shaurette," or "Sherman", making available two fine water powers. Sherman Rock received its name from an incident in the "running of the river" days when a man named Shaurette was hung with his raft on this big rock late one afternoon and as no help could get to him that night he stayed on the raft on this rock all night. After that it was called "Shaurette Rock".

The second group of founders included the more relaxed, but undoubtedly courageous French-Canadians, who recklessly drove the rafts of logs from timber camps farther north through the dangerous rapids and formed a nucleus for the settlement of "Centralia." Within a few years after the founding of the two settlements, the astute business men of the East Side had taken over all available power sites with the exception of two. Those French-Canadians, who for one reason or another had abandoned raft piloting, had settled mainly on the West Side. Thus the two communities growing up side by side with little in common, merged into the city of Wisconsin Rapids in 1900.

Date 2010