Montreal River Watershed (LS15)

Table of Streams of the Montreal River Watershed (LS15)

This watershed stretches from the headwaters of the Montreal River, along the border with Michigan, down to Lake Superior and along the shore almost to the Kakagon Sloughs. Much of the Lake Superior shoreline in this watershed falls within the boundaries of the Bad River Indian Reservation. For a discussion of reservation lands, please see the Lower Bad River Watershed narrative. This watershed was much influenced by the history of mining in the area.

The Lake Superior Binational Program has identified the Lake Superior waters off Marble Point on the Bad River Indian Reservation as habitat critical to the Lake Superior ecosystem for fish and wildlife spawning and nursery grounds. These waters support spawning areas for lake herring and lake trout, the shoreline made up of exposed rocky cliffs.

The state settled and an environmental law suit against Lakehead Pipe Line Company, Duluth, which runs through northern Wisconsin including this watershed. The suit contended Lakehead violated state water pollution law during cleanup of contaminated soil and groundwater in the Saxon area. The company was issued a temporary discharge permit to treat and discharge the groundwater, but the system failed and an illegal discharge of untreated water entered Fourche Creek. In the settlement, Lakehead agreed to fund a survey project for the improvement of the Montreal River watershed in Iron County. Beginning in June 1996 Lakehead contributed $10,000 for the study of the Montreal River and the streams and creeks that flow into it. Over the next six years, the company agreed to contribute $40,000 to improve and maintain the watershed.

Table 32. WPDES-Permitted Discharges to the Montreal River Watershed

Resources of Concern (LS15)

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.

Note: The lack of rare elements listed here does not signify a lack of rare elements in the watershed. They have merely gone unreported in the Natural Heritage Inventory Database.

Recommendations

1. Regional basin management team staff should evaluate Flood Creek to determine whether polluted runoff remains a problem and to determine whether the stream has the potential to improve with management (Type B).
2. Regional fish management staff should collect and analyze fish from the Gile Flowage to assess for mercury contamination (Type B).
3. Regional fish management staff should conduct surveillance sampling at the Saxon Falls Flowage of the Montreal River to include walleye, northern pike, panfish and suckers analyzed for mercury, and suckers analyzed for organic contaminants (Type B).
4. Regional basin management team staff should conduct stream condition monitoring on the Montreal River near Hurley (Type B).
5. Regional basin management team staff should evaluate the West Fork Montreal River downstream from the Gile Flowage dam to determine if habitat for cold water species is being maintained (Type B).
6. Regional basin management team staff should conduct an assessment of Kaminski and Oronto creeks to determine current condition (Type B).
7. Regional basin management team staff should work with Northern States Power in conducting an experimental water fluctuation study on the Gile Flowage to determine if moderated winter drawdowns would lead to increased walleye survival (Types B & C).
8. Regional basin team management staff should hold discussions with Northern States Power Company to find a solution to moderating winter drawdowns at the Gile Flowage as an adaptive management technique for improving over-winter survival of walleye fingerlings (Types B & C).
9. Regional basin management team staff should, if a negotiated arrangement can't be reached with Northern States Power through discussion about drawdowns, investigate alternative means to limit water level fluctuations in the Gile Flowage through the agency's statutory authority (Type B).
10. Regional basin management team staff should explore the potential, and implement if feasible, the maintenance of the undeveloped shoreline area of the Gile Flowage in an undeveloped condition, possibly through the use of land use agreements, conservation easements or acquisition (Type B).
11. Regional basin management team staff should work with Northern States Power to evaluate operational modifications that will improve habitat for cold water aquatic species in the Gile Flowage (Types B & C).

Bell Creek

This small stream tributary to Lake Superior supports a Class I trout fishery including migratory trout and salmon from Lake Superior. The stream has been classified an exceptional resource water. Bell Creek flows entirely within the Bad River Indian Reservation. See the discussion of land use and management under the Lower Bad River Watershed.

Boomer (Fourche) Creek

This tributary to the Montreal River is considered a Class II trout stream. Historically, brook and brown trout have been found in this stream, along with sculpin shiners, chubs, bullheads and white suckers. Historically, beaver have been active in the watershed.

During survey work conducted as part of the coastal wetlands evaluation two rare species of macroinvertebrate were found and overall taxa richness was moderate (5-24 species) (Epstein 1997).

Carpenter Creek

This Lake Superior tributary is considered a Class III trout water, though surveys of the 1960s found no trout, only forage species including chubs, suckers, stickleback, shiners and sculpin. The stream may be attractive to migratory trout and salmon species from the lake. Flow is variable.

During survey work conducted as part of the coastal wetlands evaluation one rare species of macroinvertebrate was found and overall taxa richness was moderate (5-24 species) (Epstein 1997). Aquatic plants were significant at the survey site.

Flood Creek

The entire length of this tributary to the West Fork of the Montreal River is considered trout water. The upper reach should support a Class I trout fishery and has been classified an exceptional resource water. The lower reach is considered a Class II trout fishery. According to 1960s data, the lower reaches of the stream were stressed by streambank pasturing and much of the watershed was in agriculture.

During survey work conducted as part of the coastal wetlands evaluation one rare species of macroinvertebrate was found and overall taxa richness was moderate (5-24 species) (Epstein 1997).

Fourche Creek

The entire length of this stream is considered trout water and the upper and lower reaches have been classified exceptional resource waters due to their Class I trout fishery. A middle reach between two railroads is considered a Class III trout fishery, due to the variability in flow. This middle reach at times becomes a series of stagnant pools joined by a trickle of water.

According to a complaint filed against Lakehead Pipe Line Company, Duluth, a remediation effort at a site of soil and groundwater contamination caused an illegal discharge to Fourche Creek. Lakehead had a WPDES permit to remove the contaminated soil and to pump, treat and discharge the contaminated groundwater from the excavated area. The water treatment system failed shortly after the company began pumping the water in 1994. A lawsuit contended Lakehead modified the system in violation of its permit and when this failed to correct the problem, illegally discharged a portion of the untreated water directly into Fourche Creek.

As a result of the complaint, Lakehead is providing funding for watershed study and management.

Graveyard Creek and West Branch

Graveyard Creek, an exceptional resource water, flows through the Bad River Indian Reservation before reaching Lake Superior. The stream supports a Class I trout fishery and migratory runs of trout and salmon species from the lake. Based on temperature, the stream likely owes some of its flow to groundwater. The stream also does not seem as prone as other streams in this part of the basin to severe low flow conditions. Please see the discussion under the Lower Bad River Watershed about land use and management issues in forested areas of the red clay region. The upper parts of the watershed are privately owned. This stream could be harmed by forestry activity if proper management practices are not used.

The mouth of Graveyard Creek has been identified by the Lake Superior Binational Program as habitat critical to the integrity of the Lake Superior ecosystem as a fish and wildlife spawning and nursery grounds and coastal wetlands. At the mouth of the creek, a sand bar and fringing wetlands provide spawning habitat for lake herring. The area is also used by brook and rainbow trout, and coho salmon.

During survey work conducted as part of the coastal wetlands evaluation two rare species of macroinvertebrate was found and overall taxa richness was moderate (5-24 species) (Epstein 1997).

Wisconsin Trout Streams identifies the West Branch of Graveyard Creek as a Class II trout fishery. This name is apparently not officially registered with the Wisconsin Geographical Names Council. An unnamed stream entering Graveyard Creek at T47N R1W S9 matches the length and continuous flow necessary to meet a Class II fishery. The stream falls entirely within the Bad River Indian Reservation.

Kaminski Creek

This creek is considered a Class I trout fishery and thus is classified an exceptional resource water. The watershed is primarily cleared and flows on the western edge of the city of Hurley into the East Fork of the Montreal River. Photo-revision to topographic maps, conducted in 1975, indicates development along the stream, pits, new highway construction and a large pond that includes part of the creek. The watershed drains urban and residential areas. We have no data on the current condition of this waterbody.

During survey work conducted as part of the coastal wetlands evaluation no rare species of macroinvertebrate were found and overall taxa richness was low (0-4 species) (Epstein 1997). At the survey site, barnyards were considered a potential pollutant source.

Montreal River and East and West Forks Montreal River

The Montreal River forms part of the Michigan-Wisconsin border. The West Fork flows from Island Lake, through the Gile Flowage (pronounced guile) and paralleling the East Fork for many miles before meeting. The East Fork of the Montreal River originates at Pine Lake, eventually forming the border between Ironwood and Hurley before becoming the Montreal River at the junction with the West Fork. All three reaches of the river include trout waters.

Muskrat, mink and beaver occur upstream from Hurley. Stream flow is variable, with gradient increasing downstream of Hurley. The cities of Hurley, WI and Ironwood, MI, discharge into this sub-watershed. The West Fork of the Montreal River above Gile Flowage is considered a warm water fishery including young walleye, perch, crappies, northern pike and the occasional brook trout. Downstream from the Gile Flowage, walleye, muskellunge and some brook trout occur. Beaver and nesting and migratory waterfowl use the upper watershed. The Montreal River West Fork receives the effluent discharge from the city of Montreal. The Montreal River is considered trout water to its mouth.

The mouth of the Montreal River has been identified by the Lake Superior Binational Program as important to the integrity of the Lake Superior ecosystem for old growth forest, coastal wetlands and fish and wildlife spawning and nursery grounds. Privately held land at the mouth of the river forms a four-acre cove with a 25-foot-deep kettle hole. Wetlands in the area are valuable to plants and animals. In June and July, the area is used by spawning white suckers and sturgeon and emerald and spottail shiners. The mouth and lower river are also used by spawning coho salmon, pink salmon and rainbow trout. Above the Superior Falls dam, the Montreal River is a high-quality trout stream that requires some additional stocking to ensure a balanced fishery. A scenic area exists below Superior Falls where 100-year-old cedars line the banks. Migratory fish move about a third of a mile upstream to Superior Falls.

The Gile Flowage on the West Fork Montreal River is a headwater storage reservoir essential to the operation of the two hydropower projects downstream on the Montreal River. Norther States Power draws and refills the Gile Flowage to provide seasonally uniform streamflow for maximum generation at its Superior Falls and Saxon Falls hydro projects. The flowage is gradually lowered in winter in anticipation of collecting and storing spring runoff. That stored water is then gradually released to maintain flows during summer. Between 1974 and 1993 the maximum winter drawdown depth at the flowage ranged between 5.7 and 15.6 feet, averaging 9.9. It is possible such winter drawdown can affect the fish community in the impoundment by decreasing the winter survival of walleye fingerlings. WDNR fisheries staff have at least a decade of walleye density data for fingerling and yearlings, along with concurrent winter water levels. While fingerling densities showed the natural variation expected, yearling densities were low in all years. Fisheries managers suspect the drawdown may affect survival over their first winter by reducing the available shoreline habitat in the impoundment. An eight-foot drawdown reduces the surface area of the impoundment by about 46 percent and the volume by 58 percent.

WDNR asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to analyze the effects of winter drawdowns as part of the cumulative impacts analysis for the Superior Falls Hydro licensing decision. FERC denied the request, citing that it had no authority at the Gile Flowage. FERC subsequently initiated an investigation of its jurisdiction at the Gile Flowage, but has yet to make a decision on its authority. WDNR suggested a moderation of the drawdown over a three-year test period to see if there is any change in walleye fingerling survival. If no evidence came from the study showing that modified drawdown altered walleye survivability, the traditional operating procedures could resume. Northern States Power declined to participate in the study, citing economic concerns, regulatory uncertainties and increased liabilities as a result of flooding, and has suggested the fingerling survival might be related to other factors such as entrainment in the works of the dam.

The Saxon Falls Hydro project, relicensed in 1989, was one of the first projects in Wisconsin to be relicensed after Congress passed the Electric Consumers' Protection Act in 1986. With this amendment to the Federal Power Act, FERC is required to give equal consideration to both power generation and environmental protection in deciding whether or not to issue a project license. Michigan Department of Natural Resources participated in the licensing consultation for the Saxon Project. One of the resource issues at Saxon Falls was a minimum flow requirement to the bypassed reach of the Montreal River. WDNR and Northern States Power conducted a qualitative flow study to determine what level of discharge would maintain aquatic and aesthetic resources in the dewatered segment where flow was diverted to the powerhouse. FERC ordered Northern States Power to continuously release at least 5 cubic feet per second to the bypassed channel. The license order for Saxon Falls Project is final, with a term of 30 years. No party requested a rehearing on FERC's order when it was issued in 1989.

For the Superior Falls Hydro project, both WDNR and Michigan DNR participated in the consultation on the license application. Since the discharge at the powerhouse is located on the Michigan side of the river, Michigan has the responsibility for issuing, waiving or denying water quality certification under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act. Because Michigan DNR did not act on Northern States Power's request for water quality certification within the one year allotted to respond, FERC presumed that the need for certification was waived.

The project occupies the site of a natural waterfall just upstream from the Montreal River's mouth. Therefore, WDNR determined that fish passage around the dam and losses from fish entrainment in the works of the dam were not a significant concern at the Superior Falls project. Michigan DNR, however, requested Northern States Power provide a barrier to prevent fish entrainment and compensate for residual losses that occur after installation. Michigan DNR requested a specific reopener clause in the license that would trigger a FERC review of fish passage.

In the new license for the Superior Falls Project, FERC ordered the operator to provide a minimum flow of 20 cfs during daytime viewing hours, and a minimum of 8 cfs in the night time hours during the summer season for aesthetics in the bypassed reach. Maintenance of stable water levels in the impoundment and stable discharge from the dam is also an important resource concern at this project due to the flashiness of the river, the small storage capacity of the reservoir and the equipment and staff limitations. FERC ordered the project be run in a run-of-river mode, with exceptions for extreme conditions outside of the licensee's control. Both Northern States Power and Michigan DNR requested rehearing of the FERC license order. WDNR did not request a rehearing.

The West Fork Montreal River is identified in the Coastal Wetlands Evaluation (Epstein 1997) as an aquatic priority site. While only 17 taxa were collected in this initial effort, two of these are very rare in Wisconsin. The predominant groups were mayflies and caddisflies. Turbidity and impoundment present challenges to the maintenance of water quality.

Mud Creek (T44N R2E S16)

This tributary to the West Fork of the Montreal River is essentially a warm water stream inhabited by forage species. A few brook trout may use portions of the stream. The stream flows through Iron County Forest Land.

During survey work conducted as part of the coastal wetlands evaluation no rare species of macroinvertebrate were found and overall taxa richness was low (0-4 species) (Epstein 1997). At the survey site, filamentous algae was significant.

Nawago Creek

This Lake Superior tributary flows within Bad River Indian Reservation lands where forestry management practices may require special consideration (please see discussion under the Lower Bad River Watershed). The stream is considered a minnow water and extreme variations in water volume occur, primarily do to a flat landscape of red clay soils. The streambanks are primarily hardwoods and conifer, with some small willow and tag alder swamps near the mouth.

During survey work conducted as part of the coastal wetlands evaluation one rare species of macroinvertebrate was found and overall taxa richness was moderate (4-25 species) (Epstein 1997). At the survey site, streambank erosion was a significant pollutant source, and silt a significant factor affecting habitat quality.

Oronto Creek

This flashy stream drains the red clay areas typical of this basin. During spring runoff, a substantial portion of stream flow runs into Parker Creek near its mouth at Lake Superior. The lower two miles of the creek are considered Class I trout waters and exceptional resource waters. Lake Superior species spawn in the stream. The stream exhibits extreme flow variations.

The Lake Superior Binational Program identified Saxon Harbor at the mouth of Oronto Creek as important to the integrity of the Lake Superior ecosystem for fish and wildlife spawning and nursery grounds. The beach area of Saxon Harbor provides habitat for shorebirds, while the harbor itself supports spawning minnows, rainbow and brook trout and coho salmon. The Lake Superior shoreline around Saxon Harbor consists of sheltered flats. The harbor contains a small marina with boat ramps and an adjacent county park. The high bluffs along the Lake Superior shore experience intensive erosion.

During survey work conducted as part of the coastal wetlands evaluation no rare species of macroinvertebrate were found and overall taxa richness was moderate (4-25 species) (Epstein 1997). At the survey site, point sources and failing septic systems are a significant pollutant source, with filamentous algae present.

Parker Creek

This tributary to Lake Superior is considered Class III trout water for its entire length, but this is primarily due to a few migratory rainbow trout using the stream. There is no evidence of natural rainbow trout reproduction in this stream. Forage species dominate the fishery, and the stream has been known to dry up during extended dry periods.

While stream gradient is about 87 feet per mile, from County Trunk A to the mouth, the stream drops 180 feet per mile. Extreme flow variations and flashiness typical of the red clay region exist here.

During survey work conducted as part of the coastal wetlands evaluation one rare species of macroinvertebrate was found and overall taxa richness was moderate (4-25 species) (Epstein 1997). At the survey site, filamentous algae was significant.

Spoon Creek

This tributary to Oronto Creek is considered a Class III trout stream. Historic surveys report that it is inhabited by brook trout, dace and chubs. Extreme flow variations and flashiness typical of the red clay region exist here.

During survey work conducted as part of the coastal wetlands evaluation no rare species of macroinvertebrate was found and overall taxa richness was moderate (4-25 species) (Epstein 1997). Streambank erosion is a significant pollutant source and significant