Watershed - South Fork Eau Claire River (LC16)
South Fork Eau Claire River Watershed

Details

Low-gradient warm water streams abound in ths watershed. Only Black, Dickison, Horse, and Scott Creeks are classified as trout waters. Mead Lake is the largest impoundment in the South Fork of the Eau Claire River watershed. This lake has been designated as a priority lakes project to begin in 1996. The watershed upstream of the Mead Lake dam is targeted for implementation of practices to control sources of polluted runoff. The southern half of this watershed is primarily county forest, while the northern half is used for agriculture.

Date  1996

Ecological Landscapes for South Fork Eau Claire River Watershed

Ecological Landscapes

The South Fork Eau Claire River Watershed is located in two ecological landscapes: the Forest Transition and the Central Sand Plains. 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. The Central Sand Plains Ecological Landscape, 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

Watershed Documents
Watershed Grants
Grant Details
Aquatic Invasives Education
Date
10/1/2011
Waters Involved
Mead Lake
Status
Complete

Friends Of Beaver Creek Reserve, Inc.: Beaver Creek Cbcw-Monitor 2: The Friends of Beaver Creek Reserve (BCR), in conjunction with BCR's Citizen Science Center (CSC), proposes to continue coordination of Clean Boats, Clean Waters (CBCW) outreach and monitoring at boat landings on 18 lakes and the St. Croix River in Chippewa, Clark, Dunn, Eau Claire and St. Croix Counties. Key project elements to include: 1) Funding for Regional AIS Coordinator, CSC Director, and four Watercraft inspector positions; 2) Travel and registration costs associated with staff training and CBCW activities; 3) Outreach to lake associations and garden centers; 4) Other outreach events and signage; 5) Water access inventory, and 6) Rearing Purple Loosestrife Beetles.


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
Eau Claire Lake
Status
Complete

Eau Claire County: Lco-Shoreland Ordinance Rev.: Eau Claire 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
9/1/2012
Waters Involved
Eau Claire Lake
Status
Complete

Lake Eau Claire Association, Inc.: Lmi-Lake Eau Claire Implement.: The Lake Eau Claire Association proposes to implement practices called for in the lake management plan developed for Lake Eau Claire in Eau Claire County. Major project elements to include: a) establishment of sediment traps, b) installation of aerator, c) re-establishment of habitat including course woody debris d) water quality sampling and analysis.


Grant Details
Lake Protection Grant
Date
9/1/2010
Waters Involved
Eau Claire River
Status
Complete

Eau Claire County: Lco-Shoreland Ordinance Rev.: Eau Claire 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
4/15/2017
Waters Involved
Halfmoon Lake
Status
Complete

City Of Eau Claire: Lmi-Alum Treatment Half Moon Lake: The City of Eau Claire is sponsoring a Lake Management Planning Implementation project aimed to control internal sediment phosphorus loading in Halfmoon Lake by applying alum. The lake received an initial AL treatment in 2011 and was effective at maintaining TP WQ goals for three years, however after five years the effects have diminished. The initial alum treatment dosage was adequate however the floc did not sink into the upper sediment due to higher bulk density characteristics allowing upward P diffusion and decreasing binding efficiency of phosphorus. The second treatment is needed to bind available TP limiting the amount available to algae uptake. The City continues to address other sources of TP including stormwater management, rain gardens etc.

Project activities include: Apply a buffered AL dose to the western arm of Half Moon Lake that is encompassed by the 10 foot contour in late May or early June 2017. Dosage is based on sequestering the annual sediment P flux rate of 0.4g/m2 for 2 to 3 years and factors in an Al binding efficiency of 60% (James 2016 and 2017).

Project deliverables: The outcome of AL treatment to the western arm will be control of internal P loading and reduction of cyanobaceterial biomanss and chlorophyll to target levels. Limnological monitoring will be conducted to verify outcomes.

Special conditions:
1. The Half moon lake Team consisting of DNR, UW Stout, City of EC and Friends of Halfmoon Lake meet quarterly to assess current lake management actions. There continues to be open and ongoing communication with the group to inform residents on current lake conditions and management decisions.
2. All necessary permits must be issued prior to the project being implemented.


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
7/1/1998
Waters Involved
Rib Lake
Status
Complete

Rib Lake Inland Lakes P & R District: Lmi-Fd-Rib Lake Rehabilitation/Sediment Analysis, 1998-99: Rib Lake Inland Lake Protection District proposes to conduct a diagnostic/feasibility study of lake bottom sediments as a preliminary step to a possible sunken log retrieval and/or dredging project in Rib Lake.


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
9/1/2010
Waters Involved
Unnamed
Status
Complete

Eau Claire County: Lco-Shoreland Ordinance Rev.: Eau Claire 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
Large Scale Lake Planning
Date
1/3/1991
Waters Involved
Mead Lake
Status
Complete

Mead Lake Club Limited: Mead Lake Usgs Water Quality Monitoring: Water quality sampling at two sites by the U.S. Geological Survey for 1991 through 1995. Sampling parameters are as described in table 1 and the project description of the application with the following modifications; - fecal coliform bacteria samplingto be performed twice a month during the summer sampling period, - spring turnover parameter list should delete Cl, Ca, Na, K, Mn, and SO4 if necessary, to compensate for the bacteria analyses. An annual progress report is to be submitted at the end ofeach year of sampling. Project includes preparation of a final report and formal presentation to the public in 1995. Data reporting format to be worked out in consultation with Buzz Sorge, DNR District contact. Project results will be reposited at theTown of Mead Town Hall and Will's Gas Company.


Grant Details
Large Scale Lake Planning
Date
10/1/1996
Waters Involved
Mead Lake
Status
Complete

Clark County: Mead Lake Sanitary Survey: Clark County proposes to survey approximately 129 septic system sites around Mead Lake to determine each systems compliance with state codes. A final report will be prepared including the survey results. The Department of Natural Resources will be provided with both a paper copy and an electronic copy of the final report. Information about the project's results will be disseminated to the public by entire report mailing, public meeting, and local newspaper article.


Grant Details
Large Scale Lake Planning
Date
4/1/2001
Waters Involved
Mead Lake
Status
Complete

Clark County Land Conservation Committee: Mead Lake Watershed Land Use Inventory And Modeling: In an attempt to define the source of nutrients into Mead Lake, the Clark County Land Conservation Department, in conjunction with Water Resources Management Staff in the WCR DNR office, propose to implement a river basin computer model called the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). It is the intent of this grant application to obtain additional funding to conduct:
1) a field by field land use and management inventory
2) input data into the SWAT model
3) predict nutrient sources to Mead Lake


Grant Details
Large Scale Lake Planning
Date
4/1/2002
Waters Involved
Mead Lake
Status
Complete

Clark County Land Conservation Committee: Mead Lake Aquatic Ecosystem Assessment- Phase 1, Task 1&2: Clark County proposes to do a study on Mead Lake that examines water qualitiy conditions and nutrient fluxes from tributary inflows and the sediment.

Project activities include: 1) External loading-water sampling, and 2) Internal loading.

The Department wil be provided with both a paper and electronic copy of the final report.


Grant Details
Large Scale Lake Planning
Date
4/1/2002
Waters Involved
Mead Lake
Status
Complete

Clark County Land Conservation Committee: Mead Lake Aquatic Ecosystem Assessment- Phase 2, Tasks 3&4: Clark County proposes to do a study on Mead Lake that examines water qualitiy conditions and nutrient fluxes from tributary inflows and the sediment.

Project activities include: 1) In-lake monitoring, 2) Research the impacts of macrophytes on pH and sediment phospherous release.

The Department will be provided with both a paper copy and electronic copy of the report.


Grant Details
Large Scale Lake Planning
Date
10/1/2002
Waters Involved
Mead Lake
Status
Complete

Clark County Land Conservation Committee: Mead Lake Limnological Analysis - Grant 3, Tasks 1 & 3: Overall objectives of this investigation are to examine water quality conditions and nutrient fluxes from tributary inflows and the sediment. In particular, the relative importance of various internal and external nutrient loadings will be evaluated in relation to water quality conditions and phytoplankton biomass in the lake. Information from this study will be used by WI DNR to determine Total Daily Maximum Load for this aquatic system.
Task 1: External Loading
Task 3: In-Lake Monitoring

The DNR will be provided with both an electronic and paper copy of the report.


Grant Details
Large Scale Lake Planning
Date
10/1/2002
Waters Involved
Mead Lake
Status
Complete

Clark County Land Conservation Committee: Mead Lake Limnological Analysis Grant 4, Tasks 3 & 5: The overall objectives of this investigatioin are to examine water quality conditions and nutrient fluxes from tributary inflows and the sediment. In particular, the relative importance of various internal and external nutrient loadings will be evaluated in relation to water quality conditions and phytoplankton biomass in the lake. Information from this study will be used by the WI DNR to determine a Total Daily Maximum Load for this aquatic system.
Task 3: In-Lake Monitoring
Task 5: Impacts of macrophytes on pH and sediment P release

The DNR will be provided with both an electronic and paper copy of the report.


Grant Details
Large Scale Lake Planning
Date
4/1/2009
Waters Involved
Mead Lake
Status
Complete

Clark County Land Conservation Dept: Mead Tmdl Implementation: The Clark Co. Land Conservation Dept., in cooperation with the Mead Lake Watershed Stakeholder Leadership Team (SLT), proposes to pursue changes within the watershed to reduce phosphorus loading in Mead Lake in Clark County to levels identified in a recent Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study. Major project elements to include: a) Watershed survey and social marketing study, b) Development of Lake Management Plan.


Grant Details
Large Scale Lake Planning
Date
4/1/2009
Waters Involved
South Fork Eau Claire River
Status
Complete

Clark County Land Conservation Dept: Mead Tmdl Implementation: The Clark Co. Land Conservation Dept., in cooperation with the Mead Lake Watershed Stakeholder Leadership Team (SLT), proposes to pursue changes within the watershed to reduce phosphorus loading in Mead Lake in Clark County to levels identified in a recent Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study. Major project elements to include: a) Watershed survey and social marketing study, b) Development of Lake Management Plan.


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
South Fork Eau Claire River Watershed
Watershed Recommendations
Citizen-Based Stream Monitoring
Citizen Stream Monitoring
Date
Status
Collect chemical, physical, and/or biological water quality data to assess the current overall stream health. The data can inform management decisions and may be used to identify impaired waters for biennial lists.
1/1/2012
In Progress
Projects
 
Citizen-Based Stream Monitoring
Citizen Stream Monitoring
Date
Status
Collect chemical, physical, and/or biological water quality data to assess the current overall stream health. The data can inform management decisions and may be used to identify impaired waters for biennial lists.
1/1/2012
In Progress
Projects
 
Engage Volunteers in Monitoring/Restoration
 
Date
Status
Volunteer monitoring lake water quality and invasive species should be established at Chapman Lake.
7/30/2010
Proposed
 
Monitor Fish Tissue
Confirm FCA: IW pre-2000 data
Date
Status
10/28/2011
Proposed
Projects
 
Restore Wetlands
 
Date
Status
Mead Lake
10/1/2007
Proposed
 
Stormwater Planning, Implementation
Eau Claire County Rain to Rivers of Western Wisconsin (R2R)
Date
Status
This project promotes 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: Rain to Rivers program which brings together local and county governments to promote urban stormwater BMPs.
1/1/2015
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
 
South Fork Eau Claire River WatershedWatershed History Note