Watershed - Thornapple River (UC18)
Thornapple River Watershed

Details

The Thornapple River Watershed extends from eastern Sawyer County into the middle of Rusk County. It is 147,183 acres in size and forest covers 61% of the watershed. The area supports little agriculture, is largely undeveloped, and consists primarily of forest and wetlands. There are no towns or point source discharges in the watershed.There has been very little fisheries management activity. The most recent water quality information for streams dates from the 1970s. Macroinvertebrate surveys from 1979 in the Thornapple River, Little Thornapple, and Twin Creek, indicated good to excellent water quality with an absence of organic pollution.

Date  1996

Ecological Landscapes for Thornapple 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

Watershed Grants
Grant Details
Lake Protection Grant
Date
9/1/2000
Waters Involved
Clear Lake
Status
Complete

Clear Lake Property Owners Association Inc: Res-Clear Lake Native Aquatic Plant & Habitat Restoration Project: The Clear Lake Property Owners Association, Inc. is proposing to restore the rich native aquatic plant community of Clear Lake, Sawyer County by selective eradication of the exotic species, Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM), and long term protection of the natural habitat.

The portion of the project to be funded with this grant include the development of contingency plans for possible aeration or replanting of native aquatic vegetation if either is necessary.

Post treatment water quality and macrophyte surveys will be conducted for the next three calendar years to carefully measure the effectiveness of the treatment and the resultant impact on restoration of native plants.

Significant financial support for this project has been offered by the herbicide manufacturer, SePRO, Inc., and the local chapter of Muskies, Inc.

Specific deliverables for this grant project will include:
A final report on the follow-up monitoring and the lake ecosystem response.

The Department of Natural Resources will be provided with both a paper copy and an electronic copy of the final report. The project results will be disseminated to the public by newsletter(s), public meeting(s), and local newspaper articles.


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

City Of Ladysmith: Res-Corbett Lake Aeration Project: The City of Ladysmith will conduct an improvement project on Corbett Lake, which lies within the corporate limits of the city. This project involves the installation of a system of bottom aerators in the lake. Bottom aerators would be installed at 11 locations in the eastern half of the lake basin. Compressors would be located within Falge Park, which is located along the northern shoreline of Corbett Lake. The park is owned and operated by the City of Ladysmith.

A special condition of this grant project is that the installation and operation of this aeration system must comply with all conditions of the water regulation permit issued by this department for the aeration system.

The City of Ladysmith shall notify the Department of Natural Resources upon completion of the installation of the aeration system.


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

Courte Oreilles Lake Assoc.: Res-Lac Courte Oreilles Shoreland Restoration: Courte Oreilles Lake Association is sponsoring a project to design and install shoreline buffer restorations on Lac Courte Oreilles and Little Lac Courte Oreilles Lakes.

Project tasks include: 1) Shoreline buffer design/restoration on approximately 25 shoreline sites; 2) Modeling to estimate TSS and TP reductions from buffer restorations; 3) Develop and distribute shoreline buffer educational materials.

Shoreline restorations shall follow standards set forth in NR 191.24(3) unless mutually agreed to in writing with the regional lake biologist before implementation occurs. Shoreline restorations using grant funding for plants or labor require a Department approved restrictive covenant that permanently establishes the vegetative buffer on the parcel. Maintenance, operation, and protection will be specified in a ten-year contract for each BMP site. The Department may perform site inspection and/or monitoring.

Project deliverables include: a report and map summarizing project activities including modeling results and educational materials developed, square feet of shoreline buffer restored, individual property shoreline restoration plans, pre-post photos of funded restorations, signed 10 year maintenance agreements, and copies of all Shoreland Vegetative Protection Agreements.

Special conditions: Applicable water regulation and/or county zoning permits must be issued before construction activities commence.

This scope summarizes the project detail provided in the application and does not negate tasks/deliverables described therein. Data, records, and reports, including GIS-based maps, and digital images, must be submitted to the Department in a format specified by the regional Lake Biologist.


Grant Details
Lake Protection Grant
Date
9/1/2006
Waters Involved
Deer Creek
Status
Complete

West Wisconsin Land Trust: Acq-Stockman Property Deer Lake Ii: The West Wisconsin Land Trust proposes to purchase an easement on approximately 75 acres of the Stockman property on Deer Lake in Sawyer County. The easement protects 4,600 feet of lake frontage and eliminates any option of development on the protected property.


Grant Details
Lake Protection Grant
Date
9/1/2003
Waters Involved
Deer Lake
Status
Complete

West Wisconsin Land Trust: Acq-Mcmillins Deer Lake 1/2 Mile: The West Wisconsin Land Trust proposes to purchase an easement on 78.6 acres of the Tom McMillin property on Deer Lake in Sawyer County. The easement protects 2,640 feet of lake frontage and eliminates any option of development on the protected property.


Grant Details
Lake Protection Grant
Date
9/1/2006
Waters Involved
Deer Lake
Status
Complete

West Wisconsin Land Trust: Acq-Stockman Property Deer Lake Ii: The West Wisconsin Land Trust proposes to purchase an easement on approximately 75 acres of the Stockman property on Deer Lake in Sawyer County. The easement protects 4,600 feet of lake frontage and eliminates any option of development on the protected property.


Grant Details
Lake Protection Grant
Date
4/15/2015
Waters Involved
Lac Courte Oreilles
Status
Complete

Courte Oreilles Lake Assoc.: Res-Lac Courte Oreilles Shoreland Restoration: Courte Oreilles Lake Association is sponsoring a project to design and install shoreline buffer restorations on Lac Courte Oreilles and Little Lac Courte Oreilles Lakes.

Project tasks include: 1) Shoreline buffer design/restoration on approximately 25 shoreline sites; 2) Modeling to estimate TSS and TP reductions from buffer restorations; 3) Develop and distribute shoreline buffer educational materials.

Shoreline restorations shall follow standards set forth in NR 191.24(3) unless mutually agreed to in writing with the regional lake biologist before implementation occurs. Shoreline restorations using grant funding for plants or labor require a Department approved restrictive covenant that permanently establishes the vegetative buffer on the parcel. Maintenance, operation, and protection will be specified in a ten-year contract for each BMP site. The Department may perform site inspection and/or monitoring.

Project deliverables include: a report and map summarizing project activities including modeling results and educational materials developed, square feet of shoreline buffer restored, individual property shoreline restoration plans, pre-post photos of funded restorations, signed 10 year maintenance agreements, and copies of all Shoreland Vegetative Protection Agreements.

Special conditions: Applicable water regulation and/or county zoning permits must be issued before construction activities commence.

This scope summarizes the project detail provided in the application and does not negate tasks/deliverables described therein. Data, records, and reports, including GIS-based maps, and digital images, must be submitted to the Department in a format specified by the regional Lake Biologist.


Grant Details
Lake Protection Grant
Date
4/15/2015
Waters Involved
Little Lac Courte Oreilles
Status
Complete

Courte Oreilles Lake Assoc.: Res-Lac Courte Oreilles Shoreland Restoration: Courte Oreilles Lake Association is sponsoring a project to design and install shoreline buffer restorations on Lac Courte Oreilles and Little Lac Courte Oreilles Lakes.

Project tasks include: 1) Shoreline buffer design/restoration on approximately 25 shoreline sites; 2) Modeling to estimate TSS and TP reductions from buffer restorations; 3) Develop and distribute shoreline buffer educational materials.

Shoreline restorations shall follow standards set forth in NR 191.24(3) unless mutually agreed to in writing with the regional lake biologist before implementation occurs. Shoreline restorations using grant funding for plants or labor require a Department approved restrictive covenant that permanently establishes the vegetative buffer on the parcel. Maintenance, operation, and protection will be specified in a ten-year contract for each BMP site. The Department may perform site inspection and/or monitoring.

Project deliverables include: a report and map summarizing project activities including modeling results and educational materials developed, square feet of shoreline buffer restored, individual property shoreline restoration plans, pre-post photos of funded restorations, signed 10 year maintenance agreements, and copies of all Shoreland Vegetative Protection Agreements.

Special conditions: Applicable water regulation and/or county zoning permits must be issued before construction activities commence.

This scope summarizes the project detail provided in the application and does not negate tasks/deliverables described therein. Data, records, and reports, including GIS-based maps, and digital images, must be submitted to the Department in a format specified by the regional Lake Biologist.


Grant Details
Lake Protection Grant
Date
9/1/2001
Waters Involved
Moss Creek
Status
Complete

Town Of Round Lake: Lmi-Town Of Round Lake - Township Land Use Plan Development: The Town of Round Lake in Sawyer County will develop a land use plan and develop shoreland ordinance revision recommendations with the intent of protecting and/or improving water quality in its lakes and rivers systems during a period of extreme developmental pressures.

Activities associated with this project include; conduct of public input meeting(s) and survey(s) to identify on and off lake development issues, development of goals and policies addressing the identified issues, opportunities, and conflicts, inventory and analysis of the Town's water and land resources, development of short and long-range land use and lake protection recommendations, development and review of ordinance revisions, and identification of implementation tools for recommendations.

Project deliverables for this project include copies of all maps, proposed ordinances, plans, etc. developed during the course of the project and a copy of the final land use plan.

The Department of Natural Resources will be provided with both a paper copy and an electronic copy of all project products and periodic reports on the progress of the project. The project results will be disseminated to the public by newsletter(s), or public meeting(s), and/or local newspaper article(s).




Grant Details
Lake Protection Grant
Date
9/1/1999
Waters Involved
Nelson Lake
Status
Complete

Sawyer County: Acq-Nelson Lake, Big Island Land Acquisition: Sawyer County has purchased a parcel of land on "Big Island" in Nelson Lake, Sawyer County. The parcel contains 26 acres and more than 2300 feet of shoreline on Nelson Lake. The Big Island on Nelson Lake is approximately 547 acres, of which 262 acres are presently owned by Sawyer County and are enrolled in Wisconsin's County Forest Program. The entire island falls within the boundaries of the Sawyer County Forest. A letter of waiver of retroactivity has been issued for this project effective for the time period of July 28, 1998 to June 30, 1999.

Sawyer County must comply with the conditions of the "Long Term Land Management Plan" for this property as listed in the project description as attached to the Project Application (Form 8700-240) for this Lake Protection Grant. The deed restriction clause as listed in the Letter of Retroactivity must also be inserted in the deed.


Grant Details
Lake Protection Grant
Date
4/15/2016
Waters Involved
Spider Lake
Status
Complete

Spider Chain Of Lakes Improvement Assn: Hlk-Northern Waters Env. School Healthy Spider Lk Project: Spider Chain of Lakes Association will implement best practices described in Wisconsin\2019s 2014-2017 Healthy Lakes Implementation Plan. Practices include: two 350 ft2 native plantings, one fish sticks project, one rain garden, one diversion practice, and one rock infiltration practice on 1 property.

The best practices require a contract to remain in effect for 10 years and must include minimum operation and maintenance requirements and data collection as described in grant condition #16. If best practice(s) are implemented on land owned by the grant Sponsor, this Lake Protection Grant Agreement serves as the contract. If best practice(s) are implemented on land other than the sponsor\2019s, a contract between the sponsor and landowner that abides by grant condition #16 is required.

The Department may require re-payment of project installation costs if the best practice is disturbed or removed. The Sponsor and/or the Department may perform site inspections and/or monitoring to ensure project success.

Deliverables: Best practice location and design information, if not included in the application; signed 10-year landowner contract; pre and post project installation photographs; summary of education activities and publicity/promotion of Healthy Lakes initiative, if applicable.

Special conditions: The state share of each best practice cannot exceed $1,000. The state share of grant administration and technical assistance costs may not exceed 10% of the grant award; technical assistance does not include implementation labor. Funding cannot be used for mitigation or regulatory compliance activities. Water regulation and/or county zoning permits must be issued before construction. The Healthy Lakes logo should be used for promotion and publicity, and DNR recognized as a funding source.


Grant Details
Lake Protection Grant
Date
9/1/2006
Waters Involved
Unnamed
Status
Complete

West Wisconsin Land Trust: Acq-Stockman Property Deer Lake Ii: The West Wisconsin Land Trust proposes to purchase an easement on approximately 75 acres of the Stockman property on Deer Lake in Sawyer County. The easement protects 4,600 feet of lake frontage and eliminates any option of development on the protected property.


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
Thornapple River Watershed
Watershed Recommendations
Educate and engage residents
Landowner & Partner Outreach in the Southern Service Area
Date
Status
Bayfield Regional Conservancy is sponsoring a project to help finalize a Strategic Conservation Plan by increasing protection and stewardship awareness among private landowners in Sawyer County and southern Ashalnd County. Deliverables include a comprehensive report including: 1) A summary of accomplishments/progress of the project including descriptions of research on successful conservation efforts, outreach activities, and resulting conservation collaborations with landowners and partners; 2) Report on activities paid under this grant for salaries and match hours; 3) Report on public outreach to Landowners and Partners with copies of newsletters, educational materials, etc.; 4) Verification of meetings, workshops, and/or training such as agendas and attendance lists; 5) Copies of related materials generated or paid for by this grant.
2/15/2016
In Progress
Projects
 
Thornapple River WatershedWatershed History Note