Watershed - Upper South Fork Jump River (UC04)
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Upper South Fork Jump River Watershed

Details

Much of this watershed consists of undeveloped wild land. The watershed has few lakes, many small streams, and extensive wetlands. A portion of the Chequamegon National Forest in Taylor County is in this watershed. The southeastern section of the watershed, east of Ogema, consists of the hilly terrain that includes Timms Hill, the highest point in Wisconsin. Douglas Creek, Silver Creek, and the Mondeaw River are the major tributaries to the South Fork of the Jump in this watershed. The watershed includes some small active farms, although much of the agricultural land could be considered marginal. Nonpoint source problems in this watershed are probably not widespread, but there is potential for localized problems. Based on available data, this watershed is ranked as medium priority for possible selection as a priority watershed project under the Wisconsin Nonpoint Source Pollution Abatement Program. Gravel operations in the watershed could cause localized water quality problems. The municipal areas in the watershed are Prentice, Ogema, and Westboro.The Prentice municipal wastewater treatment plant discharges to the South Fork of the Jump.

Date  2008

Ecological Landscapes for Upper South Fork Jump River Watershed

Ecological Landscapes

The North Central Forest Ecological Landscape occupies much of the northern third of Wisconsin. Its landforms are characterized by end and ground moraines with some pitted outwash and bedrock controlled areas. Kettle depressions and steep ridges are found in the northern portion. Two prominent areas in this Ecological Landscape are the Penokee-Gogebic Iron Range in the north extending into Michigan, and Timm's Hill, the highest point in Wisconsin (1,951 feet) in the south. Soils consist of sandy loam, sand, and silts. The vegetation is mainly forest, with many wetlands and some agriculture, though the growing season is not as favorable as it is in southern Wisconsin. Lake Superior greatly influences the northern portion of the Ecological Landscape especially during the winter season, producing greater snowfall than in most areas in Wisconsin. The historic vegetation was primarily hemlock-hardwood forest dominated by hemlock, sugar maple, and yellow birch. There were some smaller areas of white and red pine forest scattered throughout the Ecological Landscape, and individual white pines trees were a component of the hemlock-hardwood forest. Harvesting hemlock to support the tanneries was common at the turn of the century, and the species soon became a minor component of forests due to over-harvesting and lack of regeneration. Currently, forests cover approximately 80% of this Ecological Landscape. The northern hardwood forest is dominant, made up of sugar maple, basswood, and red maple, and also including some scattered hemlock and white pine pockets within stands. The aspen-birch forest type group is also relatively abundant, followed by spruce-fir. A variety of wetland community types also are present, both forested and non-forested.

Date  2010

Recreational Opportunities

The Upper South Fork of the Jump River beglns at a private wildlife flowage created in the 1950s. The U.S. Forest Service, in a 1988 analysis of the South Fork of the Jump for the Wild and Scenic River program, reported slx farms, three gravel pits, and 101 cabins or homes in the river corridor.

Date  2008

Upper South Fork Jump River Watershed At-a-Glance

Impaired Water in Upper South Fork Jump River Watershed
River and Stream QualityAll Waters in Watershed

Wood treating industries near Prentice are potential concerns for water quality for the South Fork Jump River and possibly for Douglas Creek due to runoff. Monitoring in 1988 and 1989 upstream and downstream of the Prentice wastewater treatment plant indicated high bacterial counts below the discharge. This was also true in 1977. Low flows in the river allow for limited wastewater dilution. Ammonia levels of 0.03 mgll below Prentice were also close to the warm water criteria value of 0.04 mgll. Above the discharge, ammonia levels were below detection. Benthic invertebrate biotic index values for this stretch of river are, however, indicative of excellent water quality without apparent organic pollution..

Date  2008

Watershed Trout Streams
Watershed Outstanding & Exceptional Resources

Lakes and Impoundments

Search for Lakes by County

Impaired Waters

List of Impaired Waters
Watershed Documents
Chelsea Lake, Taylor County CMS
North Harper Lake, Taylor County - Aquatic Plant Sampling Map (31 mpts)
North Harper Lake, Taylor County - Garmin Text File
North Harper Lake, Taylor County - Garmin Text File
2020 Comprehensive WQ Assessments
2018 List of Healthy (Category 2) Waters
Final Draft 2018 Impaired Waters List
Final Assessment Data from TSI Package and Assessment Units 2018
Comprehensive 2018 Lake/Impoundment Water Quality Assessments
Comprehensive 2018 River/Stream Water Quality Assessments
Photo of Access Point for Station "Anderson Lake -- Access"
AIS Early Detection 2012 Data Form Taylor Little Chelsea Lake 2200500
AIS Early Detection 2012 Data Form Taylor Mondeaux Flowage 2193300
AIS Early Detection 2015 Data Form North Twin 2194600
Comprehensive 2016 Lake Reservoir Assessments
Comprehensive 2016 Rivers Stream Assessments
Various Lake - More mystery snail locations
CHELSEA LAKE NESTS
PRIVATE LAKE NESTS
SOUTH HARPER LAKE NESTS
South Harper Lake, Taylor County - Garmin Text File
Chelsea Lake, Taylor County - Aquatic Plant Sampling Map (37 mpts)
South Harper Lake, Taylor County - Aquatic Plant Sampling Map (32 mpts)
Chelsea Lake, Taylor County - Garmin Text File
SOUTH FORK JUMP RIVER, PRICE COUNTY, PRENTICE WWTP USE DESIGNATION
1998 Lake Survey Summary for South Twin Lake
Lake Bathymetry Map for Ogema Millpond
Lake Bathymetry Map for Worcester Lake
Lake Bathymetry Map for Chelsea Lake
Lake Bathymetry Map for Little Chelsea Lake
Lake Bathymetry Map for Duchien Lake
Lake Bathymetry Map for Kettle Lake
Lake Bathymetry Map for North Harper Lake
Lake Bathymetry Map for Clarke Lake
Lake Bathymetry Map for Horseshoe Lake
Lake Bathymetry Map for Timms Lake
Lake Bathymetry Map for Mondeaux Flowage
Lake Bathymetry Map for South Harper Lake
Lake Bathymetry Map for Bass Lake
Lake Bathymetry Map for North Twin Lake
Lake Bathymetry Map for South Twin Lake
Watershed Grants
Grant Details
Lake Protection Grant
Date
9/1/2002
Waters Involved
Butternut Lake
Status
Complete

Price County: Lmi-Phase Ii Butternut Wq Assessment/Modeling: The Price County Land Conservation Dept will sponsor a project which will collect all needed data to create a response model for Butternut Lake including a water budget, detailed phosphorus budget, lake water quality modeling and evaluation of groundwater impacts. Deliverables will include all data collected and a final report summarizing the findings.

DNR will be provided with a copy of reports and publications produced in both written and electronic (PDF) format. DNR will also be provided with a summary of all the efforts under this grant that are not included in reports or other written documents.


Grant Details
Lake Protection Grant
Date
9/1/2000
Waters Involved
Pixley Flowage
Status
Complete

Price County: Acq-Price County-Smith Lake Land Acquisition: Price County will acquire 93.5 acres of land with 6,800 feet of undeveloped frontage on Smith Lake, a flowage of the Flambeau River.


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
River Protection Grant
Date
4/15/2015
Waters Involved
Duroy Lake
Status
Complete

Price County: Weger Streambank Protection, Elk River: Price County is sponsoring a project to restore 250 feet of shoreline habitat along the Elk River. There is an unstable 25 foot face that is actively eroding and needs to be stabilized. Fish, wildlife habitat and water quality will be improved.

Project goals: 1) Reduce sediment and nutrient delivery; 2) Reduce instream sedimentation to improve fish spawning habitat; 3) Restore shore land habitat for wildlife; 4) Improve water quality; 5) Protect existing resources.

Project deliverables is a final report that includes: 1) Documentation that the project was completed; 2) Copies of final engineering plans; 3) Before and after photo documentation.

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


Grant Details
River Protection Grant
Date
4/15/2015
Waters Involved
Elk Lake
Status
Complete

Price County: Weger Streambank Protection, Elk River: Price County is sponsoring a project to restore 250 feet of shoreline habitat along the Elk River. There is an unstable 25 foot face that is actively eroding and needs to be stabilized. Fish, wildlife habitat and water quality will be improved.

Project goals: 1) Reduce sediment and nutrient delivery; 2) Reduce instream sedimentation to improve fish spawning habitat; 3) Restore shore land habitat for wildlife; 4) Improve water quality; 5) Protect existing resources.

Project deliverables is a final report that includes: 1) Documentation that the project was completed; 2) Copies of final engineering plans; 3) Before and after photo documentation.

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


Grant Details
River Protection Grant
Date
4/15/2015
Waters Involved
Elk River
Status
Complete

Price County: Weger Streambank Protection, Elk River: Price County is sponsoring a project to restore 250 feet of shoreline habitat along the Elk River. There is an unstable 25 foot face that is actively eroding and needs to be stabilized. Fish, wildlife habitat and water quality will be improved.

Project goals: 1) Reduce sediment and nutrient delivery; 2) Reduce instream sedimentation to improve fish spawning habitat; 3) Restore shore land habitat for wildlife; 4) Improve water quality; 5) Protect existing resources.

Project deliverables is a final report that includes: 1) Documentation that the project was completed; 2) Copies of final engineering plans; 3) Before and after photo documentation.

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


Grant Details
River Protection Grant
Date
4/15/2015
Waters Involved
Grassy Lake
Status
Complete

Price County: Weger Streambank Protection, Elk River: Price County is sponsoring a project to restore 250 feet of shoreline habitat along the Elk River. There is an unstable 25 foot face that is actively eroding and needs to be stabilized. Fish, wildlife habitat and water quality will be improved.

Project goals: 1) Reduce sediment and nutrient delivery; 2) Reduce instream sedimentation to improve fish spawning habitat; 3) Restore shore land habitat for wildlife; 4) Improve water quality; 5) Protect existing resources.

Project deliverables is a final report that includes: 1) Documentation that the project was completed; 2) Copies of final engineering plans; 3) Before and after photo documentation.

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


Grant Details
River Protection Grant
Date
4/15/2015
Waters Involved
Lac Sault Dore
Status
Complete

Price County: Weger Streambank Protection, Elk River: Price County is sponsoring a project to restore 250 feet of shoreline habitat along the Elk River. There is an unstable 25 foot face that is actively eroding and needs to be stabilized. Fish, wildlife habitat and water quality will be improved.

Project goals: 1) Reduce sediment and nutrient delivery; 2) Reduce instream sedimentation to improve fish spawning habitat; 3) Restore shore land habitat for wildlife; 4) Improve water quality; 5) Protect existing resources.

Project deliverables is a final report that includes: 1) Documentation that the project was completed; 2) Copies of final engineering plans; 3) Before and after photo documentation.

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


Grant Details
River Protection Grant
Date
4/15/2015
Waters Involved
Long Lake
Status
Complete

Price County: Weger Streambank Protection, Elk River: Price County is sponsoring a project to restore 250 feet of shoreline habitat along the Elk River. There is an unstable 25 foot face that is actively eroding and needs to be stabilized. Fish, wildlife habitat and water quality will be improved.

Project goals: 1) Reduce sediment and nutrient delivery; 2) Reduce instream sedimentation to improve fish spawning habitat; 3) Restore shore land habitat for wildlife; 4) Improve water quality; 5) Protect existing resources.

Project deliverables is a final report that includes: 1) Documentation that the project was completed; 2) Copies of final engineering plans; 3) Before and after photo documentation.

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


Grant Details
River Protection Grant
Date
4/15/2015
Waters Involved
Musser Flowage
Status
Complete

Price County: Weger Streambank Protection, Elk River: Price County is sponsoring a project to restore 250 feet of shoreline habitat along the Elk River. There is an unstable 25 foot face that is actively eroding and needs to be stabilized. Fish, wildlife habitat and water quality will be improved.

Project goals: 1) Reduce sediment and nutrient delivery; 2) Reduce instream sedimentation to improve fish spawning habitat; 3) Restore shore land habitat for wildlife; 4) Improve water quality; 5) Protect existing resources.

Project deliverables is a final report that includes: 1) Documentation that the project was completed; 2) Copies of final engineering plans; 3) Before and after photo documentation.

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


Grant Details
River Protection Grant
Date
4/15/2015
Waters Involved
Unnamed
Status
Complete

Price County: Weger Streambank Protection, Elk River: Price County is sponsoring a project to restore 250 feet of shoreline habitat along the Elk River. There is an unstable 25 foot face that is actively eroding and needs to be stabilized. Fish, wildlife habitat and water quality will be improved.

Project goals: 1) Reduce sediment and nutrient delivery; 2) Reduce instream sedimentation to improve fish spawning habitat; 3) Restore shore land habitat for wildlife; 4) Improve water quality; 5) Protect existing resources.

Project deliverables is a final report that includes: 1) Documentation that the project was completed; 2) Copies of final engineering plans; 3) Before and after photo documentation.

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


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
PRICE COUNTY: Price County Lake Classification - Phase I2001
NORTHWOODS LAND TRUST, INC.: LMI-Price County Private Shorelands Protection Project2013
TAYLOR COUNTY: Gary Schumacher NOD2018
Aquatic Invasives County Coordinator - Taylor County2011
Wetland Restoration Database2016
South Fork Jump River at Mail Route Rd2009
Monitoring Recommendations Stemming from CWA / IR Listings2000
TAYLOR COUNTY: Jim Bauer NOD2018
PRICE COUNTY: Weger Streambank Protection, Elk River2015
South Fork Jump River at HWY 132006
PRICE COUNTY: ACQ-Price County-Smith Lake Land Acquisition2000
TAYLOR COUNTY: Mike Feddick NOD2018
RIB LAKE INLAND LAKES P & R DISTRICT: LMI-FD-Rib Lake Rehabilitation/Sediment Analysis, 1998-991998
PRICE COUNTY: LMI-Phase II Butternut WQ Assessment/Modeling2002
Fish Propagation Actions2001
PRICE COUNTY: Shoreline Protection & Restoration Through Education2008
Spirit and North Spirit Lakes 303d Evaluation [NOR_02_11]2010
Aquatic Invasives County Coordinator - Price County2011
PRICE COUNTY: Price County Lakes Classification & Managemt Planning Model1996
PRICE COUNTY: Price County Land Use Plan1999
TAYLOR COUNTY: Mahr Bros. Manure Storage & Runoff Management2014
Upper South Fork Jump 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
South Fork Jump River at Mail Route Rd
 
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
South Fork Jump River at HWY 13
 
Monitor Aquatic Biology
Monitor biology on WBIC: 2206500
Date
Status
Conduct biological (mIBI or fIBI) monitoring on Ottertail Creek, WBIC: 2206500, AU:14624
5/21/2016
Proposed
Projects
Monitoring Recommendations Stemming from CWA / IR Listings
 
Monitor Fish Community
 
Date
Status
WRM should conduct habitat and water quality evaluations of Silver and Fisher creeks, and their feeder streams, Levitt and Alcohol creeks. and Black Brook, for nonpoint source impacts.
1/1/2010
Proposed
 
Monitor Fish Community
 
Date
Status
WRM should continue to conduct water quality monitoring and should conduct habitat assessments on the South Fork of the Jump River in coordination with work by Fisheries, Research, and Endangered Resources.
1/1/2010
Proposed
 
Trout Classification Mgmt
 
Date
Status
Fisheries should evaluate Ottertail Creek for reclassification to a Class I trout stream.
1/1/2010
Proposed
 
Upper South Fork Jump River WatershedWatershed History Note

The Village of Prentice is located in the Upper South Fork Jump River Watershed. It was early in the 1880's that a group of men from Portage got off a train at a heavily wooded spot in Price county and began their search for a good site for a lumber saw mill. They found it, right on the banks of the Jump River, long famous for the quality of its pine. Thus Prentice, named after the first of the five men, Alexander Prentice, came into existence. In the spring of 1882 a lumber concern was organized and incorporated as the Jump River Lumber Company. A purchase of 150,000,000 feet of standing pine was made. By September of that year, a sawmill; with a milling capacity of 50,000 feet of lumber per day, was in operation. This capacity was later increased to 100,000 feet daily. In 1884, a large planing mill and drying shed were added to the sawmill. The logging and lumber operations for shipment to distant markets were in full swing. The thriving lumber industry attracted mill workers and woodsmen, many of whom brought their families along with them. To provide further accommodations for the influx of workers and visitors a large 40-room hotel, which became known as the Jump River House was built. The lumber company also took into consideration the other needs of its employees and erected the Jump River store. The logging town of Prentice continued to grow and Prentice was surveyed, platted and recorded on May 24, 1884.

Date  2011