Watershed - Sheboygan River (SH03)
Sheboygan River Watershed

Details

The Sheboygan River Watershed is the largest and possibly the most diverse watershed in the basin, covering about 260 square miles. The Sheboygan River originates in east-central Fond du Lac County and flows generally southeastward into the City of Sheboygan where it enters Lake Michigan. The major tributaries to the Sheboygan River are the Onion and Mullet Rivers. Other named warm water tributaries to the Sheboygan River are Otter and Weedens Creeks. Millhome, Schuett and Feldner's Creeks are trout streams located in the Sheboygan River Basin. There are also ten dams in the Watershed: Sheboygan Marsh, Kiel, Rockville, Millhome, Franklin, Johnsonville, Sheboygan Falls, Waelderhaus, Riverbend and Mischo's. The Franklin dam was breached in 2000 and will be removed in 2001. Removal of the dam will restore this river reach to a free-flowing condition. The positive change in flow, temperature, and oxygen levels will result in habitat suitable for game fish species such as smallmouth bass, northern pike, and rock bass. Land use in the watershed is primarily agriculture, but the downstream most reaches are entirely urbanized.

Date  2001

Nonpoint and Point Sources

Some municipalities in the Sheboygan River Watershed have been designated to receive a municipal stormwater discharge permit to control contaminated runoff from urban areas. These communities include the Village of Kohler, the Town of Sheboygan and the Town of Wilson. The City of Sheboygan and the City of Sheboygan Falls recently obtained municipal stormwater discharge permits. The stormwater permits require these communities to identify stormwater pollution sources, create plans and implement practices to eliminate or reduce stormwater runoff.

Date  2001