Watershed - Little Eau Pleine River (CW14)
Little Eau Pleine River Watershed

Details

The Little Eau Pleine River Watershed is located in the counties of Clark, Portage, Marathon and Wood. This watershed is one of many watersheds that drain into the Du Bay Flowage. The Little Eau Pleine River watershed is one of the largest watersheds taking up 264 square miles of the basin. This watershed was ranked using the Nonpoint Source Priority Watershed Selection Criteria. Based on surface and ground water data, the overall ranking is low. A shallow groundwater table allows unused herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers to leach into the groundwater without it being filtered out in the soil profile. Water quality problems are intensified by high rates of surface run-off due to the silty soils. The Marathon County Soil Erosion Control Plan identified the townships of Day and Bergen as having high soil erosion rates. The Wood County Soil Erosion Control Plan also identified the Little Eau Pleine River Watershed townships of Auburndale and Milladore as priority areas for soil erosion control.

Date  2002

Ecological Landscapes for Little Eau Pleine River Watershed

Ecological Landscapes

The Forest Transition Ecological Landscape lies along the northern border of Wisconsin's Tension Zone, through the central and western part of the state, and supports both northern forests and agricultural areas. The central portion of the Forest Transition lies primarily on a glacial till plain deposited by glaciation between 25,000 and 790,000 years ago. The eastern and western portions are on moraines of the Wisconsin glaciation. The growing season in this part of the state is long enough that agriculture is viable, although climatic conditions are not as favorable as in southern Wisconsin. Soils are diverse, ranging from sandy loam to loam or shallow silt loam, and from poorly drained to well drained. The historic vegetation of the Forest Transition was primarily northern hardwood forest. These northern hardwoods were dominated by sugar maple and hemlock, and contained some yellow birch, red pine and white pine. Currently, over 60% of this Ecological Landscape is non-forested. Forested areas consist primarily of northern hardwoods and aspen, with smaller amounts of oak and lowland hardwoods. The eastern portion of the Ecological Landscape differs from the rest of the area in that it remains primarily forested, and includes some ecologically significant areas. Throughout the Ecological Landscape, small areas of conifer swamp are found near the headwaters of streams, and associated with lakes in kettle depressions on moraines. Ground flora show characteristics of both northern and southern Wisconsin, as this Ecological Landscape lies along the Tension Zone.

Date  2010

Recreational Opportunities

The Mead Wildlife Area is 27,000 acres of mixed hardwoods and aspen uplands with open marshes that parallel the Little Eau Pleine River and is located in this watershed. The Mead Wildlife Area is located off county highway S and O, it is located about 45 minutes (30 miles) southwest of Wausau, 20 minutes (15 miles) east of Marshfield and 25 minutes (20 miles) northwest of Stevens Point. There are many ways to utilize this wildlife area by exploring more than 70 miles of recreational trails and waterways, hunting waterfowl, deer and small game, or trapping fur bearing animals. Access is restricted in some of the wildlife areas at certain times of the year, but there is plenty of area to discover all year round.

Date  2002

Watershed Documents
Watershed Grants
Grant Details
Aquatic Invasives Education
Date
4/1/2014
Waters Involved
Little Eau Pleine Flowage
Status
Complete

Dnr:Marathon: Waterfowl Hunter Ais Ed.: Mead Wildlife Area proposes to develop and conduct outreach to alert waterfowl hunters to the risk of spreading aquatic invasives, initially in the Mead and McMillan Wildlife Areas. Major project elements include: a) online an hard-copy surveys, b) print brochures, c) signage, d) development of outreach plan, e) boot brushes.


Grant Details
Aquatic Invasives Education
Date
4/1/2014
Waters Involved
Little Eau Pleine River
Status
Complete

Dnr:Marathon: Waterfowl Hunter Ais Ed.: Mead Wildlife Area proposes to develop and conduct outreach to alert waterfowl hunters to the risk of spreading aquatic invasives, initially in the Mead and McMillan Wildlife Areas. Major project elements include: a) online an hard-copy surveys, b) print brochures, c) signage, d) development of outreach plan, e) boot brushes.


Grant Details
Lake Protection Grant
Date
9/1/2013
Waters Involved
Big Bass Lake
Status
Complete

Marathon County: Lco-Marathon Class 7: Marathon County proposes to continue toward completion of its Phase II efforts to classify 11 lakes in eastern Marathon County. Major project elements to include: 1) Develop lake management plans, 2) Establish planning committees, 3) Review and revise shoreland zoning ordinance, 4) Hold one-day water forum, and 5) Develop guide for Zoning Board of Adjustment members.


Grant Details
Lake Protection Grant
Date
9/1/2010
Waters Involved
Big Eau Pleine Reservoir
Status
Complete

Marathon County: Lco-Shoreland Ordinance Rev.: Marathon 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: 1. 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
9/1/2010
Waters Involved
Big Eau Pleine River
Status
Complete

Marathon County: Lco-Shoreland Ordinance Rev.: Marathon 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: 1. 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
9/1/2010
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
9/1/2005
Waters Involved
Coon Fork Flowage
Status
Complete

Clark County Land Conservation Committee: Lmi-Coon Fork Watershed Bmps: Clark County proposes to contact riparian property owners within its portion of the Coon Fork Lake watershed and offer to design and cost-share on management practices that will reduce non-point source run-off into the impoundment. Major project elements include: 1) Land owner contacts, 2) BMP design and establishment of cost-share agreements, 3) BMP installation, 4) Information/Education.


Grant Details
Lake Protection Grant
Date
9/1/2010
Waters Involved
Hay Creek
Status
Complete

Clark County: Lco-Shoreland Ordinance Rev.: Clark 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: 1. 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
7/12/2010
Waters Involved
Mission Lake
Status
Complete

Marathon County: Lco-Marathon Class 2: Marathon County proposes to conduct detailed studies of 11 lakes in the Eastern part of Marathon County for the purpose of classifying them and developing plans for their future management. major project elements in this phased project include: 1) data collection, 2) outreach, 3) management planning and 4) plan implementation.


Grant Details
Lake Protection Grant
Date
4/15/2017
Waters Involved
Mission Lake
Status
Complete

Deer Lake Conservancy Inc: Lower Rock Creek Acquisition: The Deer Lake Conservancy has purchased 32.10 acres of undeveloped property on Deer Lake in Polk County. The parcel includes approximately 500 feet of shoreline, a riparian wetland and has Rock Creek flowing through the property. The property is adjacent to existing Conservancy owned property. Trails will be developed connecting with existing trails of the adjacent property.


Grant Details
Lake Protection Grant
Date
9/1/2012
Waters Involved
Mud Lake
Status
Complete

Marathon County: Lco-Marathon Class 5: Marathon County proposes to continue toward completion of its Phase _ efforts to classify 11 lakes in eastern Marathon County. Major project elements to include: 1) Water quality sampling and analysis, 2) Fisheries and aquatic species analysis, 3) Habitat, shoreland and paleolimnological surveys, 4) cultural surveys and outreach, 5) build-out assessment and monitoring.


Grant Details
Lake Protection Grant
Date
9/1/2012
Waters Involved
Mud Lake
Status
Complete

Marathon County: Lco-Marathon Class 6: Marathon County proposes to continue toward completion of its Phase 1 efforts to classify 11 lakes in eastern Marathon County. Major project elements to include: 1) Water quality sampling and analysis, 2) Fisheries and aquatic species analysis, 3) Habitat, shoreland and paleolimnological surveys, 4) Cultural surveys and outreach, 5) Build-out assessment and monitoring.


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
9/1/2010
Waters Involved
Sherwood Lake*
Status
Complete

Clark County: Lco-Shoreland Ordinance Rev.: Clark 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: 1. 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
7/12/2010
Waters Involved
Unnamed
Status
Complete

Marathon County: Lco-Marathon Class 2: Marathon County proposes to conduct detailed studies of 11 lakes in the Eastern part of Marathon County for the purpose of classifying them and developing plans for their future management. major project elements in this phased project include: 1) data collection, 2) outreach, 3) management planning and 4) plan implementation.


Grant Details
Lake Protection Grant
Date
4/15/2017
Waters Involved
Unnamed
Status
Complete

Deer Lake Conservancy Inc: Lower Rock Creek Acquisition: The Deer Lake Conservancy has purchased 32.10 acres of undeveloped property on Deer Lake in Polk County. The parcel includes approximately 500 feet of shoreline, a riparian wetland and has Rock Creek flowing through the property. The property is adjacent to existing Conservancy owned property. Trails will be developed connecting with existing trails of the adjacent property.


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
Targeted Runoff - Rural Construction
Date
8/10/2005
Waters Involved
Unnamed
Status
Complete

Marathon County: Bauer Dairy Noi: To cost-share installation of waste collection and runoff control practices to comply with the Intent to Issue a Notice of Discharge dated April 13, 2004.


Grant Details
Urban Nonpoint - Stormwater Planning
Date
1/1/2003
Waters Involved
East Branch Yellow River
Status
Complete

City Of Marshfield - Dpw: Stormwater Planning Projects: to cost-share @70% development of stormwater plan, utility district analysis, stormwater ordinances and I & E program.


Grant Details
Urban Nonpoint - Stormwater Planning
Date
1/1/2003
Waters Involved
Unnamed
Status
Complete

City Of Marshfield - Dpw: Stormwater Planning Projects: to cost-share @70% development of stormwater plan, utility district analysis, stormwater ordinances and I & E program.


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
Little Eau Pleine River Watershed
Watershed Recommendations
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
 
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
 
Best Management Practices, Implement
Rothschild - Stormwater 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 construction erosion control ordinance; updated storm water ordinance for new development and re-development; other updated 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
 
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
Documents
 
Best Management Practices, Implement
Marathon County Barnyard Runoff Control Project
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 barnyard runoff control system, critical area stabilization, diversions, heavy use area protection, roofing, roof runoff systems, and underground outlets.
1/1/2016
In Progress
Projects
Documents
 
Best Management Practices, Implement
Fenwood Creek Watershed Project
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 implement: agricultural nonpoint sources of pollution through the installation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) addressing sediment and nutrient loading and to address violations of the NR 151 Agricultural Performance Standards and Prohibitions relating to: sheet, rill, and wind erosion; tillage setback; manure storage facilities-new/significant alterations; manure storage facilities-closure; manure storage facilities-existing failing/leaking; process wastewater handling; clean water diversions; nutrient management; prevention of overflow from manure storage facilities; prevention of direct runoff from a feedlot or stored manure into waters of the state; prevention of unlimited livestock access to waters of the state; and remedy discharges of manure, sediment and phosphorus in runoff.
1/1/2016
In Progress
Projects
Documents
 
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
 
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 Water Quality or Sediment
Eau Pleine Flowage Priority Restoration Followup Monitoring
Date
Status
Monitoring - the Department started a multi-year water quality study in 2009 to develop a TMDL for the river and flowage. Big Eau Pleine Reservoir is a 6348 acre lake located in Marathon County.
1/1/2013
In Progress
Projects
Documents
 
Monitor or Propose 303(d) Listing
Big Eau Pleine TMDL
Date
Status
The Big Eau Pleine Flowage is listed on the Federal 303 (d) list for violations of the state dissolved oxygen and pH water quality standards. The Big Eau Pleine River is also on the list for dissolved oxygen levels below the water quality standard. Both listings are a result of excessive nutrient loading, primarily phosphorus, to the river and flowage.
1/1/2013
In Progress
Projects
Documents
 
TMDL Development
Mead Lake TMDL
Date
Status
TMDL Development for Mead Lake in Clark County, WI. Mead Lake is highly eutrophic and exhibits excessive concentrations of phosphorus and chlorophyll (a measure of algal densities) in its surface waters during the summer months (USACE 2005). Sediment and phosphorus enters the lake via the South Fork Eau Claire River, from nonpoint sources of pollution.
7/1/2007
In Progress
Projects
Documents
 
Urban Growth Planning
Wisconsin Rapids, Wood County
Date
Status
SSA Planning and Updates for Wisconsin Rapids
4/1/2011
In Progress
Projects
 
Water Quality Modeling
City-Wide Water Quality Model Update and BMP Feasibility
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 implement: water quality model, BMP feasibility analysis.
1/1/2015
In Progress
Projects
 
Little Eau Pleine River WatershedWatershed History Note

The Little Eau Pleine River runs through the George W. Mead Wildlife Area, which includes portions of Marathon, Portage and Wood counties. It covers over 33,000 acres and is managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. In the early 1900’s the lowlands in the area were used for farming. They were drained by digging ditches and dredging and straightening a five mile (8 km) section of the Little Eau Pleine River. Farming failed, however, as the lowlands were too cold and acidic for farming. In 1933, the area was to be the site of two reservoirs impounding the Big and Little Eau Pleine Rivers. Land was purchased by the Consolidated Water Power and Paper Company (now NewPage Corporation). The Big Eau Pleine River dam was built in 1936. The dam on the Little Eau Pleine River, which would have created the second largest lake in Wisconsin with 27,500 acres (111 km2), was not built due to opposition from conservationists and local residents. On April 10, 1959, Stanton W. Mead, President of Consolidated Paper Company, donated 20,000 acres (81 km2) to the State of Wisconsin for use as a state wildlife area. The Area is named for Stanton’s father, George W. Mead. The Visitor Center bears Stanton’s name. Then governor Gaylord Nelson attended the dedication. Additional land has been purchased or donated since the Area’s inception.

Date  2010