Amnicon And Middle Rivers Watershed (LS03)

* For more detailed descriptions of community types, see page 26.

Priority Wetland Sites

Mud Lake Bog/Ericson Creek

This site encompasses a diverse assemblage of wetland and terrestrial features, including extensive open and forested acid peatlands, seepage lake, stream, mesic hardwood forest and dry-mesic pine forest. Ericson Creek is part of the Amnicon River system, while the peatlands to the west of Mud Lake drain to the Black River. County Trunk Highway A runs north-south between Ericson Creek and Mud Lake.

The peatland communities include open bog, muskeg and black spruce swamp. Thick carpets of Sphagnum mosses support ericaceous (heathy) shrubs, sedges and swamp conifers. Peatland birds include Lincoln's sparrow, palm warbler, gray jay, Nashville warbler, white-throated sparrow and red crossbill. Near Ericson Creek, the wetlands are bordered by or surround scattered stands of mature trees, including mesic maple-basswood forest and dry-mesic red pine-white pine forest. Patches of white spruce and balsam firm lend a boreal flavor to the complex.

Significant portions of this site are owned by Douglas County and should be considered for special recognition in the Douglas County Forest Plan.

Recommendations

1. Regional basin management team staff should expand water quality sampling on the Amnicon River to determine if fecal coliform levels between Highways 53 and 13 are still a problem, and determine the sources, if levels are elevated (Type B).
2. Regional basin management team staff should monitor fecal coliform bacteria levels in the Middle River to determine conditions below the community of Wentworth, and any impact from septic systems in the community (Type B).
3. Regional basin management team staff should determine if habitat work on the Little Amnicon River would improve the ability of this stream to support trout (Type B).
4. Regional basin management team staff should conduct a water quality evaluation of the Poplar River to determine whether septic system discharge from the community of Poplar results in a public health or aquatic life health threat (Type B).
5. Regional basin management team staff should determine if a discharge is occurring to the Poplar River and if so, geographically locate the discharge using a GPS unit and assess whether the discharge has any impact on water quality (Type B).
6. WDNR watershed management should, if Wisconsin Trout Streams is updated, correct the location of the Little Amnicon River from originating in T47N R13W S 31 to its correct location in T46N R13W S04 (Type B).
7. Regional basin management team staff should survey Fisher Creek to determine whether pollutant sources have degraded water quality and habitat (Type B).

Amnicon River

The Lake Superior Binational Program identified the Amnicon River estuary at the mouth of the river as important habitat for coastal wetlands and fish and wildlife spawning and nursery grounds. The lower Amnicon River forms an estuary with wetlands and sheltered vegetated banks, surrounded by privately held lands. The river supports spawning brown and rainbow trout, burbot, salmon, muskellunge and walleye as well as a diverse forage fish community. The Lake Superior waters off the mouth of the Amnicon River support high densities of spawning lake trout in the fall. The area is also used by spawning burbot, cisco, lake herring and round whitefish.

The river flows from Amnicon Lake northeast through Lyman Lake to its outlet at Lake Superior. According to the 1991 basin plan update, bank erosion and habitat limitations are degrading the fishery. The streambed in the upper reaches of the river is composed primarily of sand, gravel and muck. Below Lyman Lake, the stream bottom becomes boulder, gravel and sand with significant amounts of bedrock appearing as the river approaches the Superior escarpment. Amnicon Falls is the main attraction of Amnicon Falls State Park where the river drops from the Superior escarpment. Below Amnicon Falls, the stream channel becomes heavily eroded boulders, gravel, sand and clay. The Amnicon River experiences seasonal flow fluctuations that include flood crests as high as six feet along the lower reaches and low summer flows that reduce the flow over the falls. The river is popular with beaver, muskrats and waterfowl.

The only permitted waste discharge to the Amnicon River is from the Camp Amnicon wastewater treatment facility, which discharges by a diffuse surface water drainage through a bog and wetland at T49N R12W S33 NE. This drainage is recommended for inclusion in the NR104 update as a stream capable of supporting only limited aquatic life.

During survey work conducted as part of the coastal wetlands evaluation, while no rare species of macroinvertebrate were found in the river, the overall taxa richness was high (25 or more species) (Epstein 1997). The survey noted significant turbidity and aquatic plants, with significant silt likely affecting habitat quality, with septic system pollution present.

Anderson Creek

Anderson Creek is a small, high-quality brook trout stream from its spring headwaters in the town of Maple, for about two and half miles, after which the stream becomes intermittent before reaching the confluence with Pearson Creek. This stretch of stream supports creek chubs and brook stickleback minnows. Boulders dominate the stream bottom, along with sand, gravel, rubble and bedrock. The entire length of this stream is classified as an exceptional resource water.

Bardon Creek

Bardon Creek is classified as supporting a limited forage fish community from State Highway 13 north to its confluence with the unnamed tributary at T48N R11W S33 that carries discharge from the Maple School District. Upstream from this point, the stream is classified as supporting only limited aquatic life, as are the two unnamed tributaries carrying effluent from the Maple School District wastewater treatment plants. These streams are slated for inclusion in the update of NR104. Past fisheries surveys indicate heavy grazing by cattle destroyed habitat in the upper reaches of the stream. We have no current data.

Bear Creek (T46N R14W S23)

This fairly wide, sluggish stream drains extensive tracts of spruce, tamarack, tag alder and willow swamps, resulting in dark-stained, acid water. About two miles north of its headwaters, the creek flows through Bear Lake. Downstream of the lake, the river cuts a wide channel before narrowing to a 10 to 15-foot-wide channel maintained until it empties into the Amnicon River. The river supports a largely seasonal fishery similar to Bear Lake's: including muskellunge, walleye, largemouth bass, yellow perch, bluegill, black crappie, pumpkinseed, white sucker and minnows. Beaver, muskrat, otter, mink and weasel are typical as are nesting and migratory waterfowl.

During survey work conducted as part of the coastal wetlands evaluation, the stream demonstrated moderate taxa richness for macroinvertebrates (5-24 species) (Epstein 1997). The survey noted some turbidity and low flow conditions.

Cranberry Creek

Cranberry Creek is a short, dark-stained drainage stream flowing north through the Cranberry Creek Flowage into the Amnicon River. The stream drains extensive spruce, tamarack and tag alder swamps, resulting in acidic and poor water quality conditions. Stream surveys from the 1970s found only minnows in this creek. A six-foot head dam built in 1959 creates the Cranberry Creek Flowage, managed for recreation and waterfowl production.

During survey work conducted as part of the coastal wetlands evaluation, the stream demonstrated moderate taxa richness for macroinvertebrates (5-24 species) (Epstein 1997). The survey noted significant turbidity, scour and aquatic plants, with the impoundment having a significant impact on habitat.

Ericson Creek

This short, sluggish drainage stream flows into the Amnicon River, draining extensive spruce, tamarack and tag alder swamps, resulting in lightly stained, acid water. During survey work conducted as part of the coastal wetlands evaluation, three rare species of macroinvertebrate were found and the stream demonstrated moderate taxa richness for macroinvertebrates (5-24 species) (Epstein 1997). The survey noted significant aquatic plants, with the impoundment having an insignificant impact on habitat. The creek was identified in the evaluation as a priority wetland site.

Haukkala Creek

This small stream flowing directly to Lake Superior drains a narrow watershed between Pearson and Nelson creeks. The stream flows through clay soils, causing flashiness.

During survey work conducted as part of the coastal wetlands evaluation, the stream demonstrated moderate taxa richness for macroinvertebrates (5-24 species) (Epstein 1997). The survey noted significant turbidity and streambank erosion. Impoundment and silt are likely contributing to habitat problems.

Little Amnicon River

This Class II and III brook and brown trout stream has a mostly sand bottom with gravel spawning areas, boulders and small stretches of clay. The spring-fed uppermost reach of the river is ice-free in the winter. Fisheries surveys indicate cattle grazing along the streambanks may degrade stream habitat in the lower reaches. This problem could be correctable with habitat improvement projects.

This stream is incorrectly identified in the 1980 trout stream book as originated in T47N R13W S 31. It originates in T46N R13W S04.

During survey work conducted as part of the coastal wetlands evaluation, one rare species of macroinvertebrate was found and the overall taxa richness was moderate (5-24 species) (Epstein 1997). The survey noted significant habitat impacts were possible due to silt and impoundment of the stream. A significant amount of aquatic plants were present.

Middle River

The Middle River is a large stream originating in conifer swamps northeast of Bennett and emptying into Lake Superior between the Poplar and Amnicon rivers. The mouth of the Middle River forms an estuary at Lake Superior. The Lake Superior Binational Program identified the Middle River estuary as important to the integrity of the Lake Superior ecosystem for coastal wetlands and fish and wildlife spawning and nursery grounds. The shoreline in this area consists largely of eroding red clay deposits. The Middle River supports spawning brown and rainbow trout and flows through privately held lands. WDNR operates a permanent sea lamprey barrier immediately upstream of Highway 13.

There are no named tributaries to this river, and all the unnamed tributaries are considered forage fisheries. The Middle River was stocked with trout up until 1953, but stocking was discontinued due to poor survival rates. Surveys conducted in the 1970s indicate the river supports a resident forage fishery and undersized northern pike. Past water quality sampling indicates water quality standards were being met with the exception of high fecal coliform counts at State Highway 13. This could be the result of septic tank failure in the community of Wentworth. No recent data exists. The Middle River Health Care Center discharges treated effluent to this river. The facility was updated in 1981 and is in compliance with its discharge permit.

During survey work conducted as part of the coastal wetlands evaluation, no rare species of macroinvertebrate were found and the overall taxa richness was moderate (5-24 species) (Epstein 1997). The survey noted septic systems as potential pollutant sources.

Pearson Creek

This small, intermittent stream flows some nine miles to its mouth at Lake Superior. The Lake Superior Binational Program's habitat assessment identified coastal wetlands at the mouth of Pearson Creek as important to the integrity of the Lake Superior ecosystem. The Lake Superior shoreline near Pearson creek alternates between gravel beach and eroding red clay. The estuary is in state ownership, while upstream the creek flows through private lands.

During survey work conducted as part of the coastal wetlands evaluation, one rare species of macroinvertebrate was found and the overall taxa richness was moderate (5-24 species) (Epstein 1997). The survey noted significant scour and turbidity and likely impacts from impoundment. To a lesser extent silt affected habitat. Pollutant sources present included livestock pasturing, barnyards and croplands.

Poplar River

The Poplar River estuary at the river's mouth is an area identified by the Lake Superior Binational Program as important to the integrity of the Lake Superior ecosystem. The estuary is surrounded by privately owned land and is considered important as coastal wetlands and fish and wildlife spawning and nursery grounds.

The stretch of the Poplar River originating at springs and a broad area of spruce-tamarack swamps and broad willow-tag alder marsh at T46N 13W S04, downstream about eight miles to a 12-foot head dam at the Poplar River Pond at Poplar, is considered a cold water fishery that supports a Class III brown trout fishery. Historically, the reach was stocked with brook and rainbow trout, but conditions and survival led to management for brown trout only. Downstream of the pond the river is dominated by a forage fishery that includes minnows and white suckers. Increased stream gradient downstream of the dam results in a deeply eroded channel to Lake Superior where, historically, turbid conditions and large areas of bank slumpage reduced water quality. High water marks have shown flood crests of some six feet above normal water levels.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service operated a lamprey weir to halt spawning sea lampreys (Petromyzon marinus) for a number of years, during which only an occasional trout was seen migrating from the lake to the river.

A stream classification study of an unnamed tributary to the river at T48N R11W S31 identified this tributary as a marginal surface water that could not support a balanced fishery. A stream classification study conducted below the village of Poplar in 1980 found that septic tank effluent reaches the river via a drainage ditch. Past documents suggest a plant operating, or has operated here that discharges wash water to the stream.

During survey work conducted as part of the coastal wetlands evaluation, one rare species of macroinvertebrate was found and the overall taxa richness was moderate (5-24 species) (Epstein 1997). The survey noted urban pollutant sources and some silt at the survey site.

Silver Creek

Silver Creek is a clear, cold water Class II brook trout stream in its upper seven miles. The lower three miles of stream have suffered considerable in-stream damage from cattle pasturing and a large amount of silt-laden drainage water joins the stream, contributing to warm water and turbid conditions. According to Surface Water Resources of Douglas County, the two-mile long unnamed creek entering Silver Creek at T47N R13W S25 SWSW is a Class I brook trout stream, although it is not listed in the Wisconsin Trout Streams 1980 book. We have no current data on Silver Creek or its tributary.

During survey work conducted as part of the coastal wetlands evaluation, one rare species of macroinvertebrate was found and the overall taxa richness was moderate (5-24 species) (Epstein 1997). The survey noted cropland, septic and bank erosion among pollutant sources and some silt among impacts at the survey site.

Smith Creek

This 13-mile-long intermittent stream empties into Lake Superior in an area designated by the Lake Superior Binational Program as important to the integrity of the Lake Superior ecosystem for coastal wetlands. The Smith Creek estuary falls within the bounds of the Brule River State Forest, but most of the land along the creek is in private ownership.