Bois Brule Watershed (LS04)

Table of Streams of the Bois Brule Watershed (LS04)

The geology of the Bois Brule River is unique to Wisconsin's portion of Lake Superior shoreline. A glacial predecessor to Lake Superior carved out the Brule valley as the water flowed south into what is now the St. Croix-Mississippi River valley. Today, the Brule flows north to Lake Superior past such geologic features as dry glacial streambeds, sandy outwash, pitted outwash, a gabbro rock outcrop and exposed sandstone ledges in the riverbed. The mouth of the river provides an area of coastal wetlands.

Like much of the northern forest, the Brule valley's white pine stands were cut over by the turn of the century, followed by rampant wildfires and agriculture. Besides the loss of forest cover, the river experienced logging dams, log drives and the effects of livestock pasturing. The Brule River State Forest has existed since 1907 when more than 4,000 acres near the Brule were donated to establish a forest preserve. The present-day forest bounds 52,000 acres, of which 40,000 acres are in state ownership. The forest encompasses the length of the Brule, from its headwaters near Solon Springs to its mouth at Lake Superior, and eight miles of Lake Superior shoreline. The river is popular with canoeists and kayakers and the Brule River State Forest lands along the river banks support numerous campgrounds and hiking trails.

According to the forest master plan, the primary goal of the state forest is to protect, perpetuate and restore the unique natural character of the Brule River and its adjoining state forest lands through integrated resource management techniques, including forestry, wildlife, fish and recreation management. The forest is managed for multiple use, including sustainable forestry, with an annual timber harvest of up to 650 acres allowed. The state recently adopted forestry best-management practices for all state-owned lands, which should reduce the impact of forestry activities on water resources. Where stream banks are steeper, and in soils that are highly erodible, a more rigid interpretation of these guidelines should be used, for example, expanding riparian zones beyond 100 feet from the ordinary high water mark. Aspen, balsam, red pine and jack pine have become the most prominent forest tree species. The area is home to eagles, osprey, deer, bear and many songbirds, including such unusual species as the black-backed three-toed woodpecker. Timber wolves have been reported in the area in recent years and may have taken up residency.

The Lake Superior Binational Program has identified the entire Brule River watershed and forest as habitat important to the integrity of the Lake Superior ecosystem. The key ecological criteria for identifying the watershed were nationally significant ecosystems, coastal wetlands, diversity, vital functions for planning objectives, and fish and wildlife spawning and nursery grounds. The habitat assessment suggested that the greatest perceived threat to the Bois Brule river and its adjoining forest lands is the threat of use beyond sustainability. The area's popularity for fishing and canoeing could potentially use the river and forest beyond capacity to recover. The use of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and future recreational pastimes, could threaten, at least, the aesthetic enjoyment of the area. Another potential threat is the tendency to protect a highly valued resource by insisting on preservation or no management, which would eliminate management options and potentially result in deterioration of the resource.

The lower reaches of this watershed, like most in the basin, has unstable red clay soils that are easily eroded if the soil is disturbed. Forestry activities in red clay soils need to employ best-management practices that are even more protective of riparian areas.

The Bois Brule River system was included in NR102.10(1)(d) as a system under Class I trout streams. Thus, the entire river and all of its tributaries, and their tributaries, are considered outstanding resource waters. The stream should have been referenced in a manner separate from Class I trout waters (Ebersberger) since not all of the streams in the Bois Brule system are capable of supporting a reproducing trout population. This discrepancy could be accomplished by amending NR102.10(1)(c) to include the Bois Brule and tributaries, or to amend (1)(d) to refer solely to the Bois Brule River and its tributaries (thus its immediate tributaries), then renumbering subsequent sections and subsections. The Bureau of Water Resources (Bur. of Watershed Management) inclusively interpreted NR102.10(1)(d) 8 so that all tributaries to the Bois Brule, whatever their stream order, are included in the outstanding resource water classification (Ebersberger). For example, Minnesuing Creek, which flows from Lake Minnesuing to Lake Nebagamon is classified as an outstanding resource water based upon its inclusion in the Bois Brule system. Lake Nebagamon in turn feeds Nebagamon Creek, which is tributary to the Bois Brule. Another classification issue involves stating in the code that only Bois Brule tributaries within Douglas County are outstanding resource waters. Rocky Run, a high quality trout stream, originates in Bayfield County, is directly tributary to the Bois Brule, but would not be considered an ORW for its entire length based on the portion falling outside of Douglas County. This seemed contrary to the desire to classify all tributaries to the Bois Brule as outstanding resource waters. The code has been interpreted to reflect its intent, and thus the entire length of the stream has been classified ORW.

Table 13. WPDES-Permitted Discharges to the Bois Brule River Watershed

Resources of Concern

WDNR's Natural Heritage Inventory Database indicates that the following water-dependent endangered, threatened or special concern species and/or communities have been sighted in this watershed within the last 20 years. In addition, a coastal wetlands evaluation conducted in 1995 and 1996 identified a number of species and habitats described in a comprehensive report, Wisconsin's Lake Superior Coastal Wetlands Evaluation / Including Other Selected Natural Features of the Lake Superior Basin (Epstein 1997). This report is largely excerpted here.

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

Aquatic Priority Sites

Hoodoo Lake

A 32-acre landlocked acid bog lake that has occasional winterkill of fish, Hoodoo Lake has been identified in the coastal wetlands evaluation as a priority aquatic site. The lake lies entirely in the Bayfield Sand Barrens subsection. Thirty acres of spruce, tamarack and leatherleaf bog surround the lake, but the water is quite transparent and only slightly acidic. The east shore has a firm bottom of gravel and sand, while the rest is muck-bottomed. The very rich macroinvertebrate fauna includes two rare species, one of which is globally rare; this is the first known breeding location in Wisconsin. Aquatic beetles make up almost half of the taxa sampled.

Residences on the shore are a potential source of water quality degradation. Adults of the rare dragonfly present require forest cover immediately adjacent the water body in which they breed, and indiscriminate logging could be detrimental.

Rush Lake

This 22-acre, landlocked, soft water seepage lake has been identified in the coastal wetlands evaluation as a priority aquatic site. The lake is entirely within the Bayfield Sand Barrens subsection. The entire shore area bottom is sand and aquatic vegetation is sparse. The macroinvertebrate fauna is dominated by beetles. One globally rare mayfly and other taxa found no where else in this study are also present. Winterkill occurs in this lake, as do stunted fish. The maximum depth is nine feet. Former fish management efforts included chemical reduction and introduction of predatory fish. Future fish management activities should be shown to have no impact on the native fauna before being undertaken.

Smith Lake

This 30-acre, shallow, soft water seepage lake in the Bayfield Sand Barrens has been identified in the coastal wetlands evaluation as a priority aquatic site. Fish winterkill occurs frequently and water level fluctuations of five feet are probable. Most of the shore is upland except for the southeast, which is edged by a leatherleaf bog. Floating and emergent aquatic vegetation is common. Macroinvertebrate diversity was greater here than at any lake sampled in the Lake Superior Basin. Three rare species are present, including one that is globally rare. More than half of the taxa present were beetles, with caddisflies, mayflies and dragonflies well represented.

Priority Wetland Sites

Brule Spillway

This six-mile stretch of the Brule River features an extensive conifer swamp, shrub swamp, sedge meadow and numerous springs and spring runs. This site also contains several stands of old-growth white and red pine, an extremely rare successional stage of this formerly widespread community.

The conifer swamp is dominated by white cedar, with balsam fir, tamarack, black spruce and black ash the major associates. Some stands are in, or are approaching old-growth condition. The sapling layer is composed mostly of fir, with black ash locally common. Cedar seedlings are common, but saplings are very rare. The vascular flora is quite rich including a number of rare species.

Divide Swamp

This complex of lowland forests, shrub swamp and springs is the headwaters region of both the St. Croix and Brule Rivers. The diverse lowland forests include stands of tamarack, white cedar, black spruce and black ash. Representative herbs include sedges, manna grass, ferns, marsh marigold and violets. The sandy, rolling uplands are intensively managed for trembling aspen and pine. Much of the latter is grown in plantations. County Trunk Highway P crosses the site from north to south.

The mature tamarack swamp is even-aged and has few canopy associates. The understory features a well-developed layer of tall shrubs, especially speckled alder. Saplings are mostly black ash, with occasional balsam fir. Small pools are frequent where there is a hummock-hollow microtopography.

The white cedar-dominated forest is quite extensive. Though evidence of past logging was noted, the canopy has closed and recent disturbances are mostly due to heavy browse by white-tailed deer. Generally drier than the tamarack swamp, understory plants include goldthread, bunchberry, twinflower, sedges and mosses. Where black spruce becomes dominant, the understory often includes many ericaceous shrubs.

Several small rectangular clearcuts occurred in the 1970s just east of Highway P, close to the Brule River. Each of these was given a different post-cutting treatment to study regeneration of white cedar. None of the treatments appeared successful, but it would be worthwhile to examine this problem in considerably more detail, as cedar production is as poor throughout the Lake Superior drainage basin as it is elsewhere in Wisconsin. The cedar forests of the Brule River are major repositories of biodiversity and their loss would be significant.

Black ash is the primary canopy component of the hardwood swamps. Tree size, canopy closure and shrub/sapling density are variable. Common understory plants are speckled alder, manna grass, marsh marigold, bluejoint grass, ferns and sedges.

Divide Swamp falls within the Brule River State Forest. As a new master plan is scheduled to be developed in the near future, it would be appropriate to consider then the site's values.

Recommendations

1. WDNR should, if NR 102 is amended, modify pertinent sections of the code to reflect which Bois Brule River tributaries should be considered outstanding resource waters, regardless of the county in which the stream originates (Type B).
2. WDNR fish management staff should, during basin assessment monitoring, collect from the Bois Brule River fish species that migrate from Lake Superior, such as rainbow and brown trout, for organochlorine analysis (Type B).
3. Regional basin management team staff should evaluate the aquatic habitat of the Little Bois Brule River downstream of the fish hatchery discharge to determine if the stream has rebounded since it changed its operating procedures (Type B).
4. Regional basin management team staff should evaluate existing conditions in lower Trask Creek to assess the potential for a future small-scale polluted runoff abatement project (Type B).
5. Regional basin management team staff should survey Hansen and Minnesuing Creeks to determine whether pollutant sources have degraded water quality and habitat (Type B).

Angel Creek

This small, clear brook trout stream originates from springs at the base of the Brule Valley in the Bayfield Sand Barrens subsection. It has been identified in the coastal wetlands evaluation as a priority aquatic site. Bottom materials consist of mostly sand and gravel. Stream flow is stable and the gradient is steep. Insect fauna was fairly rich and made up mostly of caddisflies, mayflies, true bugs and beetles. Two rare taxa were present. Some pollution impacts were noted due to turbidity, silt and bank erosion.

Blueberry Creek

This spring-fed stream drains large conifer swamps at its headwaters, which gives it an acid pH, dark brown coloring and low to medium alkalinity. Brook, brown and rainbow trout, along with chinook and coho salmon inhabit this Brule River tributary (Pratt 1996). The stream also supports white suckers and a variety of forage fish. Several small tributaries feed into Blueberry Creek. The unnamed tributary T47N R10W S17 supports brook and rainbow trout. While the swamps stabilize stream base flow, water levels fluctuate seasonally. The adjoining wetlands are used extensively by waterfowl. Gravel pits occur near the stream near the confluence with the unnamed feeder.

Bois Brule River

The Bois Brule River has a renowned fishery. The original fishery contained stream-resident and migratory (coaster) strains of brook trout. The migratory strain of brook trout was extirpated by the early 1900s. The river now supports, in addition to resident brook trout, both resident and migratory strains of brown trout and migratory strains of rainbow trout, coho and chinook salmon (Pratt 1996). Migratory rainbow trout spawning runs occur in spring and fall, while other species migrate from the lake in summer and fall.

Historically, the Bois Brule, along with the Bad River, produced about 85 percent of the sea lamprey captured at lamprey weirs. The influence of this exotic species is blamed in part for the crash of the Lake Superior trout fishery in the 1950s and 1960s. The lamprey are estimated to account for 375,000 pounds of the estimated 600,000 lake trout taken from Lake Superior annually (Fisheries Management). In 1985, a combination sea lamprey barrier/fishway was installed about six miles upstream from the mouth, effectively eliminating lamprey spawning above that point and preventing the need for electrical or chemical controls. The barrier has a sub-surface observation window that has helped managers collect a great deal of data. More than 7,000 lamprey were trapped and removed during the 1986 spawning season. By 1995, lamprey catches at the Brule barrier had steeply declined.

Under the Lake Superior Binational Program, the Brule River became a demonstration site for best-management practices to control runoff. WDNR and the Douglas County Land Conservation Department received grants that allowed the demonstration of construction and soil stabilization techniques to reduce roadside ditch erosion and protect stream habitat. Natural drainage patterns were restored to reduce dramatic erosion and highway maintenance problems that had plagued the County Highway FF crossing for years. The project expanded a pond managed for wildlife habitat and protected valuable aquatic habitat in the Brule.

An accelerated soils survey for the Brule River State Forest has assisted forest managers in the development of a state forest master plan and is a tool being used as part of the National Hierarchy of Ecological Units for determining the potential natural vegetation that could be supported if the forest was allowed to progress through natural succession to maturity.

High levels of bacteria in the river near the community of Brule from failing septic systems led to the formation of the Brule Sanitary District No. 1, which discharges to groundwater in the watershed.

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 some turbidity and filamentous algae at the survey site.

Casey Creek

Casey Creek is considered a Class I trout stream. Surveys from the 1970s noted that brook, brown and rainbow trout inhabit the stream, the latter species migratory from Lake Superior. At the time of the survey, beaver dams were blamed for silting in of spawning areas and temperature increases due to ponds. The streambed is mostly sand, gravel and boulder and is subject to seasonal flooding.

This stream has been identified in the coastal wetlands evaluation as a priority aquatic site. The watershed is almost entirely in the Bayfield Sand Barrens subsection and is forested. A very rare mayfly and a globally rare dragonfly breed in the stream. Dragonflies, caddisflies and mayflies were the dominant forms. The overall taxa richness at the site was moderate (5-24 species).

East Fork Bois Brule River

This high quality trout stream meets the West Fork Bois Brule River to form the Bois Brule River. In addition to the massive springs at its headwaters, Beaupre Springs and an unnamed spring poind at T45N R11W S9 also contribute significant spring water to the stream. Surveys in the 1970s report that both springs and their outlet streams support brook trout.

During survey work conducted as part of the coastal wetlands evaluation, three rare species of macroinvertebrate were found in the unnamed spring at T45N R11W S9 and the overall taxa richness of the east fork, Lynch Springs, Beaupre Springs and the unnamed springs was moderate (5-24 species) (Epstein 1997). The survey noted natural conditions and impoundment had some impact on habitat and evidence of significant aquatic plants, filamentous algae and iron bacteria were found in some areas. Construction may be a potential threat at Lynch Springs.

Hansen Creek

This is a sluggish, lightly stained warm water drainage stream that originates at the outlet of Twin Lakes and flows south into Minnesuing Lake. It supports a warm water forage and sport fishery, with migratory species from the lakes using the creek. Ducks and other wildlife use the stream and the roughly 175 acres of adjoining wetland. Willow and tag alder dominate vegetation. The stream is identified as an outstanding resource water as part of the Brule System designation in NR102.

During survey work conducted as part of the coastal wetlands evaluation, two rare species of macroinvertebrate were found and the overall taxa richness was moderate (5-24 species) (Epstein 1997). The survey noted that silt and impoundment were significant contributors to habitat conditions and pollutant sources included cropland, failing septic systems and streambank erosion.

Jerseth Creek

This high quality trout stream originating in the Bayfield Sand Barrens Ecoregional Subsection has been identified in the coastal wetlands evaluation as a priority aquatic site. Sand is the predominant bottom type and flow is quite stable. The insect fauna included four rare taxa and was dominated by caddisflies. Midge diversity was notable. The overall richness of taxa was high, with more than 25 species.

Kaspar Creek

This warm water drainage stream flows northeast some five miles before meeting Hansen Creek. Surveys conducted more than 20 years ago indicated the stream supported a warm water forage fishery, composed primarily of minnows. Willow and tag alder, along with a few scattered swamp hardwoods, dominate bank vegetation. The stream bed is primarily sand. Migratory waterfowl and a few nesting ducks use the stream's adjoining wetlands. The stream is identified as an outstanding resource water as part of the Brule System designation in NR102.

During survey work conducted as part of the coastal wetlands evaluation, the overall taxa richness was moderate (5-24 species) for macroinvertebrates (Epstein 1997). The survey noted that silt presented significant problems for habitat.

Little Bois Brule River

This stream is considered Class I trout water from its source at a spring pond to its confluence with the Bois Brule River, except for an impounded area behind a six-foot head dam that serves the WDNR Trout Rearing Station. Upstream of the station, the stream supports resident brook and brown trout. Downstream of the dam, the stream supports spawning runs of Lake Superior trout and salmon species. The stream is mostly sand and gravel-bottomed, though there are significant amounts of muck upstream of the dam. Above the station, pondweed, watercress, forget-me-nots and duckweed can be found growing in mucky areas.

A 1970s trout improvement demonstration project involved removal of riparian vegetation and beaver dams. This resulted in increased sunlight to encourage aquatic plant growth and permitted the stream to become narrower and thus deeper. The fish community responded significantly (DuBois (2)). Aquatic insect sampling in the late 1980s below the hatchery resulted in a biotic index rating that showed low diversity for a waterbody in the Brule system, which would indicate the most organic disturbance. Otherwise, fisheries managers at the time did not have any other data to suggest a water quality problem as a result of hatchery operation. In the 1990s, WDNR staff realized that ortho diquat, used to control a fungus on hatchery fish, likely reached the stream. Some evidence exists to suggest the fungicide depressed vegetation downstream and left the sandy substrate without vegetation (Olson). The substance is no longer used in state fish hatcheries. It would be useful to determine whether stream vegetation and aquatic insect indices have recovered in the year or so since this discharge ceased (Olson, DuBois(2)).

During survey work conducted as part of the coastal wetlands evaluation in 1996, the overall taxa richness for macroinvertebrates was low, four or fewer species present (Epstein 1997).

McDougal Springs

McDougal Springs is a spring pond of some three acres adjacent to the Bois Brule River. A number of small feeder streams empty into the pond and the pond drains to the river by a canoeable stream. A cedar bog surrounds the pond. The bottom is a mixture of boulders and muck with bottom springs and bank spring feeders contributing to the flow. The clear pond has a depth of some four feet and is commonly used by brook trout, though habitat conditions are limited. A few migratory waterfowl use the pond.

During survey work conducted as part of the coastal wetlands evaluation, one rare species was found in a tributary to the springs, with the overall taxa richness for the springs and feeder moderate (5-24 species) (Epstein 1997). The survey noted significant filamentous algae present.

Minnesuing Creek

This warm water drainage stream originates at the outlet of Minnesuing Lake and flows northeast into Lake Nebagamon. A wide variety of minnows inhabit the stream, but warm water sport species from both lakes use the stream seasonally. A few brown and rainbow trout have been observed using the stream to migrate from Lake Superior to spawn. Sand and gravel comprise the bottom types with damaging flows rare. Migratory and nesting waterfowl use the stream and its adjoining wetlands. The stream is identified as an outstanding resource water as part of the Brule System designation in NR102.

During survey work conducted as part of the coastal wetlands evaluation, one rare species was found and overall taxa richness was high (25 or more species) (Epstein 1997). The survey noted significant pollutant contributions from urban sources and to a less extent from failing septic systems. Impoundment and silt may have an impact on habitat and there are significant aquatic plants present.

Nebagamon Creek

Downstream from County Highway B, this stream is considered a Class II trout fishery for resident brook, and migratory brown and rainbow trout. Blueberry Creek, a Class I trout stream, joins Nebagamon Creek before its confluence with the Bois Brule. Upstream reaches from its outlet at Nebagamon Lake down to Highway B mainly support warm water fish. A mixture of sand, gravel, boulder and rubble comprise the stream bottom and damaging flow extremes are a problem. The stream is identified as an outstanding resource water as part of the Brule System designation in NR102.

The village of Lake Nebagamon discharges to groundwater in this watershed.

This stream has been identified in the coastal wetlands evaluation as a priority aquatic site. A rich macroinvertebrate fauna represented by 18 families is present and includes one globally rare dragonfly and two rare caddisflies. Low flow conditions were noted. Bank erosion was considered a significant source of pollution, at least at the sample site (Epstein 1997).

Percival Creek

This Class I trout nursery stream flows into the Bois Brule near the Copper Range Campground. Migratory brown and rainbow trout use the stream for spawning and nursery. The stream drains wild forested lands south of Sugar Camp Hill. Bottom types are primarily boulder, gravel and sand.

Rocky Run T47N R10W S11

This high-quality trout stream supports reproducing populations of numerous brook, and migratory brown and rainbow trout. Springs provide the majority of the stream's flow, but poor quality drainage from a shrub swamp at its headwaters in Bayfield County contributes to its flow. This stream is considered an outstanding resource water as part of the Brule System identified in NR102. It does, however, originate in Bayfield County, and the code as written lists only streams that originate in Douglas County. The Bureau of Watershed Management interprets the intent of the ruling: and considers the entire length of the stream an outstanding resource water.

During survey work conducted as part of the coastal wetlands evaluation, two rare species were found and overall taxa richness was moderate (5-24 species) (Epstein 1997). The survey noted that streambank erosion and cropland, as well as silt, may pose a threat to the stream.

Trask Creek

This drainage and spring-source trout stream flows north some 10 miles before meeting the Brule near its mouth. From the headwaters to County Highway FF and from Highway 13 north to the confluence with the Brule, the river is not classified as supporting a trout fishery. The roughly four miles of stream between County Highway FF and Highway 13 are considered Class II and III trout waters for native brook trout and migratory runs from Lake Superior. Older data from the 1960s and 1970s suggest that clearing of the watershed to supply marginal farmland, and extensive clay runoff has contributed to the lower reach of the stream not supporting trout. Other than limited siltation, the bottom types consist of mostly boulder, gravel and sand.

Unnamed Stream Tributary to Lake Superior T49N R10W S2

Martinson's Landing, just west of Brule Point on the Lake Superior shore is an area of unique and scenic beauty. It contains an estuary and coastal wetlands where a small, unnamed creek, with two unnamed tributaries, enters the lake. The area also has a sand beach and erodible clay banks. The Lake Superior waters off Brule Point and Martinson's Landing are a spawning area for lake whitefish. This area has been identified by the Lake Superior Binational Program as important to the integrity of the Lake Superior ecosystem for coastal wetland, and fish and wildlife spawning and nursery grounds.

Wilson Creek

This small, clear water trout stream is tributary to the West Fork of the Brule River. In addition to a major spring water source about 1,000 feet downstream from the County Highway P crossing, the creek receives drainage from an extensive willow and tag alder swamp at its headwaters. Surveys in the 1960s and 1970s found the sand and gravel-bottomed stream supporting migratory runs of trout with resident brook and rainbow also present.

During survey work conducted as part of the coastal wetlands evaluation, one rare species was found and overall taxa richness was high (more than 25 species) (Epstein 1997). The survey noted a significant presence of aquatic plant life.