Chapter NR 102

NR 102.07 Note Note: Reservoirs, multi-lobed lakes, or very large lakes may need more than one sampling station to assess the lake.

NR 102.07(1)(b) (b) Flowing waters. The total phosphorus criteria specified in s. NR 102.06 (3) apply to samples taken from the main channel near the area with greatest flow. For assessment purposes samples shall, whenever possible, be taken at least once per month for 6 months during the sampling period of May 1 to October 31. The department shall calculate the median total phosphorus concentration for a stream, river, or impounded flowing water using at least one year of data from the sampling period.

NR 102.07(1)(c) (c) Assessment timeframe for lakes, reservoirs and flowing waters.

NR 102.07(1)(c)1. 1. In this paragraph, “weather-controlled total phosphorus concentration” means a waterbody’s mean or median total phosphorus concentration during the applicable assessment period, estimated from measured data while controlling for weather variability using a method such as the department’s Phosphorus Mixed Effects Regression calculation method.

NR 102.07(1)(c)2. 2. All representative data from the most recent 5 years shall be used for assessments, but data from the most recent 10 years may be used if representative of current conditions. If fewer than the recommended number of samples in par. (a) or (b) are available, the department may be able to make an assessment determination on a case-by-case basis. The department may calculate a site’s weather-controlled total phosphorus concentration to correct for weather variability and use this value to make an assessment determination in place of the mean or median calculated under par. (a) or (b).

NR 102.07 Note Note: A mean total phosphorus concentration is used for lakes or reservoirs; a median concentration is used for streams, rivers, or impounded flowing waters. Total phosphorus data may be submitted and weather-controlled concentrations can be obtained by contacting the department at [e-mail] for access to the department’s SWIMS database. The statistical computer programming script to run the Phosphorus Mixed Effects Regression calculation can be obtained through the department’s Water Evaluation Section by contacting the department’s call center at 1-888-WDNRINFo (1-888-936-7463) or using options provided on its website at https://dnr.wi.gov/contact/.

NR 102.07 Note Note: The procedures in pars. (b) to (c) are also used for determining upstream concentrations of phosphorus under s. NR 217.13 (2) (d) for purposes of calculating a water-quality based effluent limit for a Wisconsin pollutant discharge elimination system (WPDES) permit.

NR 102.07(2) (2) Exceedance determination. The department shall compare the mean or median calculated under sub. (1) to the waterbody’s applicable total phosphorus criterion specified in s. NR 102.06 to determine whether the waterbody is exceeding the criterion. To determine whether additional data are needed to make an attainment decision for section 303 (d) listing purposes, the department shall apply the confidence interval approach in s. NR 102.52 (2) (b) to (c). If application of those methods indicates that the waterbody is exceeding the phosphorus criterion, the department shall propose to include the waterbody on the section 303 (d) list as impaired for total phosphorus unless the department determines the waterbody is not exhibiting a biological response to phosphorus as specified in s. NR 102.60.

NR 102.07 History History: CR 19-094: cr. Register September 2022 No. 801, eff. 10-1-22.

NR 102.10 NR 102.10 Outstanding resource waters.

NR 102.10(1) (1) The following surface waters are designated as outstanding resource waters:

NR 102.10(1)(a) (a) National wild and scenic rivers. All rivers designated under the national wild and scenic rivers act, as amended, 16 USC 1271 to 1287, except those portions flowing through Indian reservations, including:

NR 102.10(1)(a)1. 1. St. Croix river between the northern boundary of the Hudson city limits and the St. Croix flowage dam in Douglas county except that the portion of the St. Croix river from the northern boundary of the St. Croix Falls city limits to a distance one mile below the STH 243 bridge at Osceola shall be classified exceptional resource waters under s. NR 102.11.

NR 102.10(1)(a)2. 2. Namekagon river between its confluence with the St. Croix river and the outlet of Lake Namekagon in Bayfield county.

NR 102.10(1)(b) (b) State wild and scenic rivers. All state wild and scenic rivers designated under s. 30.26, Stats., including:

NR 102.10(1)(b)1. 1. Pike river and its headwater branches in Marinette county.

NR 102.10(1)(b)2. 2. Pine river and its headwater branches in Florence and Forest counties.

NR 102.10(1)(b)3. 3. Popple River and its headwater branches in Florence and Forest counties.

NR 102.10(1)(b)4. 4. The portion of the Brunsweiler River (Martin Hanson Wild River) from the point in Ashland County at which it leaves T44N R4W S22 QSW QQSW downstream to the point at which it crosses the boundary of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest at T45N R4W S22 QNW.

NR 102.10(1)(b)5. 5. Portions of the Totagatic River in Bayfield, Sawyer, Washburn, Douglas, and Burnett Counties as described in the following table:

SEG 1: From the outlet of Totogatic Lake located in Bayfield County to the upstream end of Nelson Lake at the southern edge of the walleye spawning refuge located in Sawyer County.

SEG 2: From a point 500 feet below the dam in the Totogatic Wildlife Area located in Washburn County to the upstream end of the Colton Flowage located in Washburn County.

SEG 3: From a point 500 feet below the dam that forms the Colton Flowage located in Washburn County to the point where the river crosses the Washburn-Douglas County line immediately above the upstream end of the Minong Flowage.

SEG 4: From the bridge on CTH “I” that crosses the river located in Washburn County to the confluence of the river with the Namekagon River located in Burnett County.

NR 102.10 Note Note: Section NR 302.02 (1) contains a detailed description of the extent of the Pike, Pine, and Popple river systems designated as Wild Rivers.

NR 102.10(1)(c) (c) Wolf river upstream of the northern Menominee county line.

NR 102.10(1)(d) (d) The following Class I trout waters:

NR 102.10(1)(d)1. 1. Adams county — Big Roche-a-Cri creek

NR 102.10(1)(d)2. 2. Barron county — Yellow river

NR 102.10(1)(d)3. 3. Bayfield county — Flag river, Sioux river

NR 102.10(1)(d)4. 4. Burnett county — North Fork Clam river, South Fork Clam river

NR 102.10(1)(d)5. 5. Chippewa county — Duncan creek, Elk creek, McCann creek

NR 102.10(1)(d)6. 6. Dane county — Black Earth creek above the easternmost CTY KP crossing

NR 102.10(1)(d)7. 7. Door county — Logan creek

NR 102.10(1)(d)8. 8. Douglas county — Bois Brule river and its tributaries including the waters of Lake Superior within a ¼ mile semi-circular arc centered at the middle of the river mouth

NR 102.10(1)(d)9. 9. Dunn county — Elk creek

NR 102.10(1)(d)10. 10. Florence county — Brule river including Montagne creek and Riley creek tributaries; tributaries to the Pine-Popple rivers including Chipmunk, Cody, Haley, Haymarsh, Lamon Tangue, Lepage, Lunds, Martin, Olson, Patten, Pine, Riley, Rock, Simpson, Seven Mile, Wakefield and Woods creeks; Little Popple river (T38N R19E S3)

NR 102.10(1)(d)11. 11. Forest county — Brule river

NR 102.10(1)(d)13. 13. Kewaunee county — Little Scarboro creek

NR 102.10(1)(d)14. 14. Langlade county — Clearwater creek, Drew creek, Evergreen river, South Branch Oconto river

NR 102.10(1)(d)15. 15. Lincoln county — Center fork New Wood creek, Little Pine creek, Prairie river

NR 102.10(1)(d)16. 16. Marathon county — Holt creek, Spranger creek, Plover river

NR 102.10(1)(d)17. 17. Marinette county — Cedarville creek, Otter creek, Holmes creek, East Thunder creek, North fork Thunder river, Eagle creek, Little Eagle creek, Plumadore creek, Meadow brook, Upper Middle Inlet creek, Middle Inlet creek, Wausaukee river, Little Wausaukee creek, Coldwater brook, Medicine brook, South Branch Miscauno creek, Miscauno creek, Swede John creek, South Branch Pemebonwon river, Spikehorn creek, Silver creek, Little Silver creek, Sullivan creek; tributaries to the Pike river including Little South Branch Pike river, Camp D creek, Camp F creek, Camp 9 creek, Cole creek, Glen creek, Harvey creek, North Branch Harvey creek, South Branch Harvey creek, Hemlock creek, Holloway creek, K.C. creek, Little Harvey creek, Lost creek, MacIntire creek, Phillips creek, Sackerson creek, Shinns branch, Sidney creek, Smeesters creek, Springdale brook, Whiskey creek

NR 102.10(1)(d)18. 18. Marquette county — Chaffee creek, Lawrence creek, Tagatz creek

NR 102.10(1)(d)19. 19. Monroe county — Rullands Coulee creek

NR 102.10(1)(d)20. 20. Oconto county — First South Branch Oconto river, Second South Branch Oconto river, South Branch Oconto river, Hills Pond creek

NR 102.10(1)(d)21. 21. Polk county — Clam river, McKenzie creek

NR 102.10(1)(d)22. 22. Portage county — Emmons creek, Radley creek, Sannes creek, Tomorrow river, Nace (Trout) creek

NR 102.10(1)(d)23. 23. Richland county — Camp creek

NR 102.10(1)(d)24. 24. Sheboygan county — Nichols creek

NR 102.10(1)(d)25. 25. St. Croix county — Kinnickinnic river above STH “35”

NR 102.10(1)(d)26. 26. Vernon county — Rullands Coulee creek, Spring Coulee creek, Timber Coulee creek

NR 102.10(1)(d)27. 27. Vilas county — Deerskin river, Plum creek

NR 102.10(1)(d)28. 28. Walworth county — Bluff creek, Potawatomi creek, Van Slyke creek

NR 102.10(1)(d)29. 29. Waupaca county — Emmons creek, Griffin creek, Jackson creek, Leers creek, Peterson creek, Radley creek, Sannes creek, Spaulding creek, Trout creek, Whitcomb creek, Little Wolf river (North Branch Little Wolf river)

NR 102.10(1)(d)30. 30. Waushara county — Chaffee creek, Willow creek north of Redgranite, Mecan river north of Richford, Little Pine creek, West Branch White river

NR 102.10(1)(e) (e) The following Class II trout waters:

NR 102.10(1)(e)1. 1. Barron county — Yellow river

NR 102.10(1)(e)2. 2. Burnett county — North Fork Clam river

NR 102.10(1)(e)3. 3. Forest county — Brule river, Peshtigo river

NR 102.10(1)(e)4. 4. Grant county — Big Green river, Castle Rock creek

NR 102.10(1)(e)5. 5. Marinette county — Peshtigo river

NR 102.10(1)(e)6. 6. Polk county — McKenzie creek

NR 102.10(1)(e)7. 7. Vilas county — Plum creek

NR 102.10(1)(f) (f) The following cold or warm water streams and rivers or portions thereof:

NR 102.10(1m) (1m) 

NR 102.10(1m)(a) (a) The following lakes are designated as outstanding resource waters:

NR 102.10(2) (2) The waters in sub. (1) and (1m) may not be lowered in quality.

NR 102.10(3) (3) Surface waters, or portions thereof, may be added to, or deleted from, the outstanding resource waters designation through the rule making process under the provisions of ch. 227, Stats., and s. NR 2.03.

NR 102.10 History History: Cr. Register, February, 1989, No. 398, eff. 3-1-89; am. (1) (d), cr. (1) (e), Register, July, 1989, No. 403, eff. 8-1-89; cr. (1) (f) and (1m), am. (2), Register, May, 1993, No. 449, eff. 6-1-93; am. (1m) 6., 9. and 11., cr. (1m) 9m., Register, February, 1998, No. 506, eff. 3-1-98; CR 05-089: am. (1) (d) 8., (f) 2., (1m) 1. and 3. Register July 2006 No. 607, eff. 8-1-06; CR 05-105: renum. (1) (f) 1. to be 1t. and am., cr. (1) (f) 1d., 1h., 1p., 2d., 2h., 2p., 5m., 6m.,. 7m., 10m., 15e., 15m., 15s., 20m., 21g., 21r., 22m., and 23m., am. (1) (f) 3., 8. 13., 18., 20., 22., and 23., Register November 2006 No. 611, eff. 12-1-06; reprinted to correct error in (1) (d) 6. Register March 2008 No. 627; CR 09-123: am. (1) (b) 1., 2., (d) 10., 17., 22., 29., 30., (f) 1d., 2p., 6., 8., 10., 20., 22., 22m., (1m) (a) 2. to 6., 9m., 10., 13., 14., 17., 18., 20., cr. (1) (b) 3. to 5. and (1m) (a) 4m. Register July 2010 No. 655, eff. 8-1-10; renumber of (1m) to (1m) (a) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 1., Stats., Register July 2010 No. 655.

NR 102.11 NR 102.11 Exceptional resource waters.

NR 102.11(1) (1) Surface waters which provide valuable fisheries, hydrologically or geologically unique features, outstanding recreational opportunities, unique environmental settings, and which are not significantly impacted by human activities may be classified as exceptional resource waters. All the following surface waters are designated as exceptional resource waters:

NR 102.11(1)(a) (a) Class I trout waters listed in Wisconsin Trout Streams publication 6-3600 (80) that are not listed in s. NR 102.10.

NR 102.11(1)(b) (b) Other Class I trout waters:

NR 102.11(1)(b)1. 1. Abraham Coulee creek in section 29, township 20 north, range 8 west from its headwaters to the upstream crossing of Oak Ridge Drive in Trempealeau county.

NR 102.11(1)(b)2. 2. Bear creek originating in section 3, township 20 north, range 7 west in Trempealeau county.

NR 102.11(1)(b)3. 3. Biser creek originating in section 19, township 12 north, range 3 west in Sauk county.

NR 102.11(1)(b)4. 4. Bostwick creek from CTH M upstream 6.2 miles to the headwaters in LaCrosse county.

NR 102.11(1)(b)5. 5. Bufton Hollow creek originating in section 19, township 12 north, range 2 west in Richland county.

NR 102.11(1)(b)6. 6. Columbus creek originating in section 29, township 20 north, range 6 west in Jackson county.

NR 102.11(1)(b)7. 7. Dutch creek originating in section 12, township 19 north, range 8 west in Trempealeau county.

NR 102.11(1)(b)8. 8. Joe Coulee creek originating in section 1, township 20 north, range 7 west in Trempealeau county.

NR 102.11(1)(b)9. 9. Little creek originating in section 21, township 20 north, range 6 west in Jackson county.

NR 102.11(1)(b)10. 10. Marble creek originating in section 30, township 10 north, range 3 east in Sauk county.

NR 102.11(1)(b)11. 11. Marshall creek originating in section 4, township 11 north, range 1 west in Richland county.

NR 102.11(1)(b)12. 12. Martin creek originating in section 23, township 6 north, range 2 east in Iowa county.

NR 102.11(1)(b)13. 13. South Bear creek originating in section 2, township 12 north, range 2 west in Richland county.

NR 102.11(1)(b)14. 14. Spring brook downstream from CTH Y south of Antigo to its confluence with the Eau Claire river in Marathon county.

NR 102.11(1)(b)15. 15. Spring Valley creek from the headwaters to SE 1/4, SE 1/4, section 33, township 16 north, range 1 east in Monroe county.