St. Louis And Lower Nemadji Rivers Watershed (LS01)

Table of St. Louis and Nemadji Rivers Watershed (LS01) Rivers and Streams

St. Louis River Area of Concern/Remedial Action Plan

The International Joint Commission, an advisory commission on U.S-Canadian border water issues, designated the St. Louis River and Duluth-Superior Harbor one of 42 Great Lakes areas of concern due to severe pollution problems. For each area of concern, government and citizens work together to address impaired "beneficial uses" caused by human activities. These uses may range from loss of aesthetic value to human health concerns leading to fish or wildlife consumption advisories. The St. Louis River area of concern includes the St. Louis River from Cloquet, MN, to the mouth, and St. Louis Bay and Superior Bay and other immediate sources and tributaries to the harbor, including the Nemadji River. Minnesota has the lead in developing a remedial action plan (RAP) for the area of concern. The RAP identifies impaired uses and proposes remedies for restoring each use. The St. Louis River System RAP contains 43 recommendations, a number of which name WDNR. For a detailed listing of these recommendations please see the St. Louis River System Remedial Action Plan Stage II Progress Report (1995), MPCA. The Stage I RAP, which defines environmental problems in the area of concern, was completed in 1992 and submitted to the International Joint Commission. A Stage II Progress Report of the RAP, developing solutions to the problems, was released in 1995. Stage III, implementing recommendations, has been an ongoing process since 1991.

All Lake Superior drainage, including the area of concern, falls under the Lake Superior Binational Program (Basinwide Issues, above). RAP activities that target restoration and protection of the ecosystem and goals of zero discharge complement the binational program. The binational program acts as a sort of umbrella for a number of ongoing projects in the area of concern that are also recommendations from the RAP.

The St. Louis River System area of concern drains an area of 3,634 square miles in northern Minnesota and Wisconsin, forming a large fresh water estuary at its mouth. The lake actually drowns a portion of the lower river valley and its seiche effect influences river levels in the estuary. The 12,000-acre estuary includes forest, industrial and urban areas and open lands within the twin ports of Superior and Duluth. The area of concern juxtaposes Superfund sites across the river from large, undisturbed tracts of forest land. Dredged shipping channels and municipal and industrial discharges share the outer harbor with the world's largest fresh water sand bar, and numerous endangered and threatened plants and animals.

Past industrial activity such as steel mills, oil refining, coal tar and coking operations, paper mills and other wood products manufacturing as well as the shipping of coal, grain, iron ore and taconite significantly contributed to the contamination of the area of concern. Two Superfund sites, U.S. Steel and Interlake on the Minnesota shore of the river are polluted by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as well as other toxic organic chemicals and metals.

Public involvement is a key to remedial action planning. The community develops the RAP, with state, federal and local agencies providing guidance and technical expertise. Public input via the St. Louis River Citizen's Advisory Committee (CAC) has been key to plan implementation. Drastic state and federal funding shifts have led to the CAC filing for status as a non-profit organization so it can continue to move ahead despite a decrease in agency assistance. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) filed articles of incorporation with the state of Minnesota to establish the "St. Louis River Citizens Action Committee" as a new non-profit organization in 1997. The St. Louis River Citizens Action Committee has a co-chair each from Minnesota and Wisconsin and a full-time executive director.

Among RAP accomplishments in outreach and public involvement: a successful River Watch citizen monitoring program has expanded throughout Lake Superior; the RAP Stewardship Work Group created the Connors Point Recreation area in Superior, developed an Environmental Stewardship Award program to recognize the environmental efforts of local organizations and individuals and organized storm drain stenciling projects with local schools to alert citizens that storm water drains directly to rivers and the lake without treatment.

Human activity has altered more than 58 percent of the St. Louis River estuary. Some 3,000 acres of marsh and open water were filled and roughly 4,000 acres of river bottom dredged. Exotic invaders such as purple loosestrife and additional human development of the estuary continue to pose threats to habitat.

Lake Superior Habitat Project

The Lake Superior Habitat Project undertook an assessment of important habitat within the Lake Superior Basin as a part of the Lake Superior Binational Program and a lakewide management plan for Lake Superior. As a supplement to this project, the Wisconsin Lake Superior Coastal Wetlands Evaluation is working to establish State-Tribal partnerships. The coastal wetlands project identified important habitat that should be protected and/or restored and will be used as a demonstration project for how to identify areas for restoration (See Resources of Concern, below).

The Lake Superior Binational Program identified a number of small estuaries west of the Amnicon River and east of Allouez Bay as providing important habitat for coastal wetlands. Two small, unnamed streams, Morrison Creek and Dutchman Creek, flow through red clay soils and form small estuaries where they enter Lake Superior. Alder thickets, shrub-carr and a type of wetland soil that is rare in Wisconsin characterize these estuaries. In addition, the St. Louis River Estuary supports a number of coastal wetlands identified as important to the integrity of the Lake Superior ecosystem. Although the St. Louis River estuary experienced substantial environmental degradation, many areas of important habitat remain. The RAP addresses habitat issues in the area in greater detail; also see the discussions under individual streams for more information.

Superior Area Management Plan (SAMP)

The city of Superior is developing the Superior Area Management Plan (SAMP) that will address conflicts between the need for residential, commercial and industrial development and the need to protect the high percentage of wetland in the city. In the early 1990s, Superior began developing the SAMP to abate the problems associated with traditional case-by-case review of projects involving wetlands filling. The SAMP will enable developers to better plan projects and assure that the individual and cumulative environmental impacts are analyzed and addressed.

One RAP goal is protecting remaining wetlands in the estuary, and developing a biodiversity plan for the area. The work involves:

• Conducting a habitat assessment of the Duluth-Superior harbor and estuary,
• Ranking the significance of wetlands and contributing watersheds,
• Sharing data with other conservation efforts,
• Protection and management actions, and
• Collecting baseline data to monitor the effects of RAP implementation.

Under the auspices of the RAP, field surveys will be conducted at priority sites to include:

• Marshes and other wetland communities within the St. Louis River corridor (i.e. the mouth of the Red River, Oliver Marsh, Clough Island, Nekuk-Amik Island, and marshes located in section 9),
• Wetlands roughly bounded by the Pokegama and South Branch Pokegama Rivers and St. Louis River,
• Nemadji River drainage,
• Red River clay ravines,
• Pokegama River drainage, and
• Sites suitable for reclamation and restoration.

In addition, data will be collected to support the Natural Heritage Inventory database and developing a data layer at 1:24,000 for use in the Geographic Information System (GIS).

The RAP recommends the biodiversity plan be a coordinated, comprehensive plan that protects and furthers ecological diversity without seeking to restore the estuary to its presettlement condition through the creation, restoration, reclamation and enhancement, and management of a desired mix of ecosystems and habitat. The RAP suggests that WDNR be a partner with other state, federal and local agencies in developing and implementing a biodiversity plan for the area of concern. The RAP also recommends a port plan be developed for the Superior side of the harbor.

The RAP calls for protection of the undeveloped and natural areas of Minnesota and Wisconsin Points, including restoration of natural plant communities, public stewardship and ensuring that the conditions that sustain the natural geophysical dynamics with these bay-mouth ecosystems be protected and maintained. WDNR has worked with the city of Superior to recommend plantings for Wisconsin Point and conducted a habitat restoration project on Wisconsin Point.

The RAP also suggests acquisition of Wisconsin's portion of the Red River Valley to protect the St. Louis River stream-side wetlands, an initiative that has been accomplished and is now called the St. Louis River Streambank Protection Area.

The RAP advises that the need for dredged materials processing and disposal capacity could be reduced if environmentally suitable dredged materials can be used to restore, enhance and create fish and wildlife habitat. WDNR supports the recycling of dredged materials where appropriate and continues to work for a dredged materials processing facility that will provide short-term storage for reusable dredge materials and temporary storage for those materials that are not-reusable.

Wildlife Health

Two deformed northern leopard frogs were found in an area of ditches in the city of Superior near a ball field in this watershed. It is unclear from the report whether this location falls in the St. Louis River or Nemadji River drainage corridor. One animal had a missing foreleg, the other a missing rear leg. While anecdotal, the report is thought to hold a high degree of reliability.

Citizens are advised to report incidences of wildlife deformities or die-offs to local WDNR offices. See Wild Animal Deformities discussion under Basinwide Issues.

Fish

The St. Louis River, including Superior Harbor, is under a fish consumption advisory for mercury in walleye. Pregnant women, women who are breast feeding, children under 15 and any woman who intends to have children should not eat walleye longer than 18 inches and others should restrict their meals. Walleye longer than 26 inches fall in the no one should eat these fish category. Lake Superior lake trout, salmon and siscowet are also under fish advisories for levels of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) or pesticides.

Beginning in February of 1997, the states of Wisconsin and Minnesota began a cooperative effort to issue the same advice on fish consumption for all border waters, including Lake Superior and the St. Louis River. Prior to this agreement, the two states applied differing risk assessment methods when establishing health advisories.

Since early data on white suckers in the Duluth-Superior harbor indicates suckers may be stressed by their environment, the RAP recommends monitoring the health of non-migratory fish populations in the area of concern, including determining the environmental stressors that may be affecting the populations. In 1992, WDNR collected black bullheads and silver redhorse from Allouez Bay and the mouth of the Nemadji River to evaluate methods for assessing fish health. The bullheads from Allouez Bay appeared to be in less than optimal health and one bullhead exhibited tumors. The cause of this type of tumor could be viral or chemical. More study must be done to determine the prevalence of this condition. In contrast, the St. Louis River Watch program, a citizen monitoring program, indicated no evidence of changes in liver tissues from bullhead collected at a number of sites. A study of caged and resident fish undertaken at Hog Island Inlet in 1995 to compare the fish health to a reference site that is considered clean indicates that fish caged at Hog Island were exposed to PAHs from both petroleum fuel and combustion sources, and provides a baseline for evaluating cleanup efforts (Schrank).

The St. Louis River Hydroelectric Project, operated by Minnesota Power & Light, is a multi-project development that consists of five headwater storage reservoirs in the St. Louis River drainage area of Minnesota, and four hydroelectric facilities on the main river channel. The Potlatch Corporation's Cloquet Hydro Project operates as a single hydropower operation. The tailwaters of the Fond du Lac dam are in Wisconsin. A portion of the half-mile long bypassed river reach is in Wisconsin. The RAP recommends that Minnesota Power & Light continue to improve its operating procedures at St. Louis River dams to prevent the stranding of fish and their eggs. The RAP identifies dams at Knife Falls, Cloquet, Scanlon, Thompson and Fond du Lac in Minnesota as needing to ensure that operational procedures don't dewater the river to the point that fish or their eggs become stranded in pools or a dry stream bed. While Minnesota Power & Light has modified its operating procedures at the Fond du Lac dam to prevent stranding, the RAP advises continued modification. Recent modifications take into account monitoring of flow during spawning season and require annual monitoring by state fisheries managers and a reporting procedure for abnormal conditions. The RAP suggests that WDNR and Minnesota DNR work with Minnesota Power & Light to establish a system to monitor and evaluate current and future operating procedures modifications.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), which licenses dams, published a draft environmental impact statement to evaluate the effects of relicensing on the nine facilities. In the document, FERC recommended higher minimum flows through the bypassed channel of the Fond du Lac Hydro for the benefit of walleye from Lake Superior that spawn in that segment of the river.

Common Terns

Common terns are a Wisconsin endangered species. Encroachment on habitat and disturbance limited the use of the area of concern by these birds. The RAP recommends WDNR and Minnesota DNR continue to provide high quality nesting and refuge habitat for terns in the St. Louis River and Nemadji River watersheds. The RAP recommends several options for habitat enhancement, including discouraging competition from ring-billed gulls, habitat creation and controlling vegetation. WDNR constructed a new nesting and rearing habitat site on Wisconsin Point in 1994. Habitat managers help enhance tern habitat through the management of vegetation, removing gull nests and eggs and using string grids to discourage gull nesting.

Great Blue Herons

The RAP recommends that the current great blue heron rookery be located and protected, and that public lands in the area of concern be managed to ensure appropriate habitat exists for at least one heron rookery where it will not be disturbed by human activities that might cause herons to leave prematurely. The RAP recommends that WDNR investigate potential Wisconsin sites of the rookery, including Dwight's Point in the Superior Municipal Forest. If located, the RAP advises management measures be undertaken to protect the site during use, such as contacting land owners and working with willing landowners to develop a land management plan for the rookery and evaluating options such as conservation easement or acquiring fee title to the land to protect it. The RAP recommends areas of the Superior Municipal Forest be managed to provide heron habitat and that special designations be used to protect the forest from development pressure that forced the abandonment of a former rookery. The RAP also advises WDNR to manage appropriate areas of the St. Louis and Red Rivers Streambank Protection Area for heron habitat (see discussion under Red River narrative, below). WDNR has helped the city of Superior develop the Superior Municipal Forest plan, which provides current and future suitable nesting habitat for herons. Acquisition of the streambank protection area in the Red River watershed ensures protection of suitable heron habitat. At this point, no heron rookery has been located.

Aquatic-Feeding Birds

Birds that feed from the aquatic environment can be susceptible to bioaccumulating toxicants that can be harmful to their survival or reproduction, especially those birds near the top of the food web. The RAP recommends WDNR coordinate information available on birds affected by toxic contaminants, assess the feasibility of using birds to identify toxic hot spots and monitor the uptake of chemical contaminants in the food web in the area of concern. Existing toxic contaminant data is being compiled and consolidated.

In 1995, WDNR implemented a contaminant monitoring program using common terns and tree swallow eggs and young. The swallow study aimed to look at the birds' food chain exposure to petroleum hydrocarbons associated with Newton Creek. Swallow nestlings in the Newton Creek watershed and a reference site in the adjacent Nemadji River basin--where there are nondetectable to background levels of petroleum hydrocarbons--were compared to examine the effects of exposure on reproduction. The study monitored nest productivity and collected eggs, day 1 and day 12 to 15 nestlings. Hatching success was significantly higher at the reference site over the nests from Newton Creek and Hog Island Inlet during the two-year study. Petroleum hydrocarbons were detected in two out of five day 12 hatchlings from one nest at both study sites. Petroleum hydrocarbons were not detected in the 14 day 1 hatchlings from either site. Male swallows may forage as far as one to two kilometers, taking them as far as Newton Creek, which may explain the positive detection in the digestive tract of a Nemadji River nestling. Since both aliphatic and aromatic petroleum hydrocarbons are readily metabolized in the birds' bodies, the analysis could only detect recent exposure. As an indirect measure of chronic exposure, liver enzyme activity responsive to petroleum hydrocarbons was determined in day 12 to 15 nestlings. Chronic exposure to aromatic hydrocarbons was suggested by significant effects on liver activity in day 12 nestlings from the Newton Creek watershed, as compared to the Nemadji River reference site. Continuing analysis will occur using liver enzyme assays as a means of detecting exposure in tree swallows in petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated and remediated habitats (Patnode).

Raptors

Raptors such as bald eagles and osprey consume large quantities of fish, other birds and mammals or carrion that may contain contaminants. As a result, raptors may experience limited survival or reproduction. The RAP recommends WDNR and Minnesota DNR coordinate monitoring efforts and consolidate data to evaluate the factors that potentially limit the population growth of bald eagles and other raptors in the area of concern. To do so requires evaluation of the routes of contaminant uptake and monitoring of the levels of contaminants in the birds' blood.

The Lake Superior Binational Program has as one facet of its mission the zero discharge of certain persistent, bioaccumulating toxic substances. The RAP echoes this program in its recommendation that WDNR and Minnesota DNR, along with U.S. EPA, establish and enforce water quality regulations that eliminate the discharge of persistent, bioaccumulative toxic substances. WDNR regularly monitors two bald eagle nesting territories near the area of concern for activity and productivity. In 1991 and 1992, staff drew blood from eaglets for contaminant analysis. One territory has been inactive since 1993 and the nest tree blew down in another in 1994, with no new nest found. WDNR intends to continue monitoring the nest territory for activity and productivity, and collect and analyze eaglet blood for contaminant analysis.

Piping Plovers

Piping plover are an endangered species that used to nest in the area of concern. The RAP recommends that WDNR and Minnesota DNR continue to monitor potential piping plover nest sites. Habitat sought by the common tern sometimes includes the larger, open nesting areas piping plover prefer. WDNR efforts to manage common tern habitat provide for potential piping plover nesting and rearing areas, and the colonial waterbird programs include monitoring for piping plover.

Exotics

A number of introduced species in the Lake Superior basin have caused problems for existing native flora and fauna. A common avenue of introduction of species to the Great Lakes has been through the ballast water of ships from outside the region. The shipping industry has made efforts to reduce the risk of transporting exotic species in this manner, and regulations now require ballast water be exchanged before entering the lakes.

In the St. Louis River, the Eurasian ruffe, a type of perch, has become so prolific it has become the most numerous species. The RAP recommends limiting the ruffe by restoring and maintaining a healthy, resilient and diverse aquatic ecosystem, not through eradication efforts unless success can be assured. The RAP advises the continued research on the basic biology and behavior of the ruffe, perhaps to identify a weak link in ruffe physiology, genetics or behavior that might lead to control measures. The RAP further recommends state and federal efforts to help prevent such transport of exotics through regulations.

Jointly, WDNR and Minnesota DNR have initiated predator enhancement in the river by restricting angler harvest and increasing the stocking of native fish. Management efforts continue to include assessing the St. Louis estuary fish community.

More research needs to be conducted to determine whether the ruffe has actually caused harm to the native fishery. While some reports have suggested that native yellow perch and walleye populations have declined, other observations have shown large year-classes for both species since ruffe introduction. Impacts of ruffe on other species will likely not be evident for years (Pratt 1996). A few species that co-habit the ruffe niche, such as black bullhead and trout perch, have shown some signs of decline, but it is yet to be determined if this is related to ruffe abundance (Pratt 1996).

The RAP recommends that education programs be coordinated to advise water resource users of the St. Louis River system of the importance of preventing the spread of ecologically harmful exotic species through inadvertent transport from infested areas. The RAP goes into specific details about some measures that could be enacted. The possession of white perch and ruffe is illegal statewide, which means that any caught incidentally by anglers must be returned to the water, and not retained. To reduce the risk these species could be transported with wild-caught live bait, Wisconsin made it illegal to net, trap or collect live bait from Lake Superior and its tributaries. Exotic species caution signs have been put up at boat launches. The sport fishing regulation pamphlet that accompanies all fishing licenses now includes a page explaining how to identify some exotic fish species and the risk they pose to native fisheries.

The RAP also recommends that studies be conducted to determine the conditions controlling population growth of zebra mussels imported into the area of concern via ballast water.

The rusty crayfish is another introduced species. To control the transport of this exotic species, crayfish were outlawed from use as fishing bait.

WDNR has an active exotic species program that works with other state agencies and Sea Grant offices to monitor for the presence of exotics and educate the public about these species. New exotic species identified since the RAP recommendations were drafted include the high fin carpsucker, the three spine stickleback and, most recently, the round goby.

Exotic species are also introduced intentionally. Purple loosestrife, once imported as a garden perennial, quickly propagates, especially along streambanks and wetlands. The plant can out-compete native plants and cause alterations in the ecosystem dynamic. The RAP recommends that populations of purple loosestrife in the area of concern be reduced using biological control organisms currently approved for use by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in a manner that does not endanger natural ecosystems. The RAP further goes on to recommend spot control and removal of small, pioneer populations of loosestrife, and limits on interstate, mail order transport.

A pilot purple loosestrife control project using insects that only target the loosestrife family has been implemented by Minnesota DNR in the Grassy Point area in 1995. The St. Louis River Estuary was nominated but was not selected to be part of the pilot study in Wisconsin. A site was instead selected in the Apostle Islands.

Contaminated Sediments

Contaminated sediments have continued to expose delicate aquatic ecosystems to environmental contaminants in most areas of concern. Several hot spots of contaminated sediment are located within the St. Louis River area of concern.

Through Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and WDNR, the RAP's sediment workgroup recommended a sediment assessment to look for potential areas of contaminated sediments in likely deposition areas. The U.S. EPA-funded project carried out by MPCA and WDNR, allowed for the recommendation of areas for further analysis. In September 1993, MPCA and WDNR used U.S. EPA's sampling boat, the Mudpuppy, to sample 40 sites between Fond du Lac Dam and the Duluth-Superior harbor entry. The survey collected deep cores from sites expected to exhibit contamination. The surface and buried layers were analyzed for 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran (TCDF), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), pesticides, mercury, lead, arsenic, copper, chromium, zinc, nickel and ammonia. In addition, surface sediments were evaluated for acute and chronic toxicity, and mutagenicity (the capacity to cause mutations) to test species.

According to the report, the study found that contaminant distribution varied widely throughout the harbor. In addition to areas near a federal Superfund site, the bay was contaminated near the mouth of a creek draining the runoff from the west end of Duluth, and near the outfall of the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (WLSSD). Sediments near a coal-fired electric generating station were contaminated by heavy metals and PAHs, as were sediments in some industrial boat slips. Toxicity to aquatic insects occurred at four sites, 10 sites were toxic to a microbe, while about half the sites were mutagenic. The study indicated that dioxins and furans that have occurred at low levels in fish were found in some locations, but not at high concentrations.

Additional sampling was conducted with the Mudpuppy in 1994. A potential problem area was identified in Superior between the wastewater treatment plant outfall and Barker's Island. Review of existing data and collecting and evaluating new information to evaluate the effects of any sediment contamination of the aquatic ecosystem should be the focus of any assessment.

Some data collected as part of the sediment analysis in 1994 and 1995 indicates nutrient enrichment in parts of the harbor area and bacteria levels ranging well above human contact standards.

While several projects are ongoing that address sediment contamination at hotspots and shipping channels, a sampling framework has not existed for tracking the long-term condition of the sediment. A regional environmental monitoring and assessment program (R-EMAP), a two-year project coordinated by MPCA, with U.S EPA funding and Minnesota DNR and WDNR assistance, aims to assess overall sediment and aquatic habitat quality in the entire area of concern. The information gained in 1995 and 1996 for this project will aid in setting overall goals for sediment quality in the area of concern. As part of R-EMAP, 120 sites were sampled in shipping channels and areas of the lower estuary deeper than 18 feet, in areas shallower than 18 feet and in Thompson, Forbay and Fond du Lac reservoirs in the lower St. Louis River, for sediment toxicity, chemical contaminant concentrations and the bottom-dwelling insect community structure--a triad approach. While we have scattered sediment contaminant information on the St. Louis River, the data collected will represent the first attempt to make simultaneous measurements of all three parameters in the St. Louis River. This work represents the first use of a probability based sediment quality triad assessment in a Great Lakes area of concern. While U.S. EPA has stressed a multi-endpoint approach to sediment evaluation, the assessment work performed in other areas of concern has typically relied on best-professional judgment for selecting assessment sites.

Polluted Runoff and Erosion

Streambank Pasturing

In the unstable red clay areas it is especially important to protect fragile streambanks. The RAP recommends the counties in the area of concern enact ordinances that any pasturing or watering of livestock along streambanks be addressed in a conservation plan, and that penalties can be assessed where a conservation plan is not used. The RAP goes on to recommend Minnesota DNR and WDNR consider protecting the most sensitive riparian areas through conservation easements.

Wisconsin's priority watershed program provides a mechanism of cost-sharing with landowners for implementing best-management practices, such as fencing and alternative watering facilities. Portions of the Nemadji River watershed might benefit from the priority watershed program.

Silviculture

Forestry activities in watersheds that have unstable clay and sand soils can also have a negative effect on stream water quality. The RAP recommends education efforts be directed at landowners, loggers and the general public about shoreland ordinances that deal with forestry practices and the cutting of vegetation, and encourages the use of forestry best-management practices and audit best-management practice compliance.

WDNR's Forestry Best Management Practices for Water Quality: A Field Manual for Loggers, Landowners and Land Managers (PUBL-FR-093) suggests numerous voluntary ways in which water quality can be protected through sound forestry practices. These practices were discussed in workshops held for loggers, land owners and resource managers throughout the state, several of which were held in the northwest. (See discussion of forestry under Basinwide Issues). In addition, numerous county shoreland zoning ordinances may restrict how and where harvest can occur. Workshops held in or near the area of concern have further addressed RAP issues.

The diversity of forest cover by age and type may aid in reducing runoff and peak flows. Guidelines need to be developed for the preferred cover type and structure in each ecoregional subsection (Fenner). The RAP recommends that forests be managed for such diversity and that foresters work with landowners in critical watersheds to harvest with regard to the need for such diversity. As part of WDNR's work with the Nemadji River Basin Project (discussed below under the Nemadji River), staff have worked on a forestry committee that included development of a GIS database that allows assessment of the existing forest cover to better recommend management and future harvest practices. Diversity alone is not the answer to reduced runoff, but instead a specific watershed cover type plan that will reduce runoff and peak flows, while at the same time maintaining diversity (Fenner). This approach will give land managers, forest owners and the public a cover type and structure goal to work toward; individual landowners' goals will need to be taken into account when developing cover type goals (Fenner).

Construction Site Erosion

Human disturbance of soils, especially in the unstable red clay region, can lead to serious erosion problems. The RAP advises that construction site best-management practices be used at all new development and redevelopment projects and recommends local governments enact and enforce protective ordinances and permits. State storm water protection regulations cover most activities, except those that disturb less than five acres and do not involve building construction. The RAP recommends that covered sites should include parking lots and utility facilities if so determined by local citizens and government. The RAP further advises that more public outreach activities are needed to inform the public about erosion control procedures.

WDNR has worked with the city of Superior to develop a storm water permit that will require adoption of the erosion control ordinances that the city has authority to adopt. This will address activities that involve earth disturbance and buildings. Erosion control workshops were organized in the area of concern and WDNR coordinated with Douglas County on the update of shoreland zoning ordinances and erosion control ordinances.

Bulk Storage Piles

Bulk storage piles pose threats to water quality when storm water carries materials from the piles into local waters. The RAP recommends that Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and WDNR require storm water discharge permits for the material handling facilities in Superior and Duluth and encourages facilities to use storage pile best-management practices. As part of the Lake Superior Binational Program, Wisconsin took a lead role in developing a manual of best-management practices for bulk storage piles. Project managers monitored runoff to determine that the pollutants entering rivers, streams and Lake Superior occur at significant levels. WDNR has an approved storm water permit program that issues permits for bulk storage piles. Midwest Energy, Cutler Magner lime manufacturing, Burlington Northern taconite, all paper manufacturers, sawmills and wood-based manufacturers now hold permits. Permits will also be issued to scrap and salvage yards, cement mixing operations and privately owned gravel pits. The permits require facilities with storage piles to control contaminants washed off their sites, including using such measures as covers, berms around the piles to divert water away and possibly capturing and treating the storm water.

Storm Sewers

As part of the Lake Superior Binational Program, sampling occurred during storms at a variety of sites throughout the Lake Superior Basin to determine any sources of critical pollutants to the lake. While significant sources of the zero-discharge pollutants were not found, storm water from such areas as recreational parks and golf courses carried levels of bacteria well in excess of contact restrictions for recreational use, and high levels of oxygen-demanding material, phosphorus and oil and grease.

Grain

Remnant grain near elevators, and grain dust blown into the water during ship loading operations, causes an aesthetic surface water problem and anaerobic bottom sediments caused by decomposing grain. The RAP recommends that the extent of remnant grain near the elevators be determined, and that grain elevator personnel be educated about the potential harm that can be done to air or water quality. To this end, WDNR inspects all major grain-handling facilities annually to ensure compliance with dust regulations. Inspection at smaller facilities occurs semi-annually. Most ship loading operations have been observed by a WDNR air inspector who reports that the control of dust has improved.

Successful enforcement action against a major grain facility resulted in additional dust control improvement. The number of times the level of total suspended particulates exceeded air quality regulations has dropped dramatically. In particular, Peavey, General Mills, and to a lesser extent Elevator M have improved controls on grain dust. Plans call for federal operating permits incorporating conditions that ensure compliance with state fugitive dust rules to be issued to the larger facilities, and a special-purpose particulate monitor will measure dust levels in Superior.

Point Sources

For the purposes of geographically locating each permitted wastewater treatment outfall, and to better manage water resources, the locations of each permitted outfall in the Wisconsin portion of the watershed needs to be provided for the geographic information system database. A grant accomplished the task of locating each facility. It would be useful in managing water resources to also locate the outfalls. In addition, we lack characterization information for many of the permitted discharges in the Lake Superior Basin. A standards review on each receiving water helps managers ensure that water quality conditions do not become detrimental to the aquatic ecosystem.

Georgia-Pacific Corp. (Superwood) was listed in the Stage I Report as the largest contributor of biochemical oxygen demand--organic matter that depletes oxygen in the water during its breakdown--to Superior Bay. Since then, the company discontinued discharge from its Superior plant. The wastewater is now hauled to the Duluth plant where it is processed into an animal feed product. The remaining wastewater is discharged to St. Louis Bay after treatment by the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District.

The U.S. Coast Guard in Duluth is working with shipping industry representatives and resource managers to develop a sampling protocol that will be used to assure that treated wastewater from commercial vessels meets applicable effluent standards.

Permitted dischargers to Superior harbor include Midwest Energy Resources Superior Terminal, Georgia-Pacific Corp. (Superwood), and the city of Superior.

Table 7. WPDES-Permitted Discharges to the St. Louis 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.

**These elements are not on the Natural Heritage Working List but are rare in Wisconsin. The juniper clubmoss remains to be confirmed as the first record of this species in Wisconsin.

Priority Wetland Sites

Nemadji River Bottoms

This portion of the deeply incised Nemadji River valley is mostly forested but also contains abandoned oxbows with emergent marsh and shrub swamp. The level landscape away from the river is a mixture of small farms, woodlots and residential areas.

The forest type in the bottoms is rare, and possibly unique to the Lake Superior Clay Plain subsection. Terraces inside the sharp meanders occur about 3-5 meters above normal flow stages. The canopy is dominated by black ash, and includes green ash, basswood, red maple and silver maple, balsam poplar and bur oak. Scattered conifers also occur, but higher on the steep slopes bordering the river and terraces. The herb layer is exceptionally rich. No rare plant species have been documented to date, but the flora is diverse and contains many plants more typical of maple-basswood forests far to the south. The spring ephemerals and their associates are especially well-represented, including false rue anemone, wild leek, Virginia water leaf, toothwort, spring beauty, wild ginger, yellow trout lily, Dutchman's breeches, bloodroot and blue cohosh.

Animals were not formally surveyed. Four adult wood turtles, which are on the Wisconsin Threatened list, were noted at the site in 1994.

There has been little recent disturbance in the area. Douglas County is the primary landowner and partially protects the site via a special use designation. Aspects of this site, and another upstream, may be regionally unique. Steep slopes of unstable red clay were badly damaged during past logging. Large conifer stands are best left intact to protect from erosion.

For more information on the Nemadji River, see the stream narrative, below.

Nemadji River Marshes

The lower stretches of the Nemadji River flow in a narrow valley through a heavily industrialized and urbanized portion of the city of Superior before emptying into Allouez Bay. A series of emergent marshes occurs along the inside of the well-developed meanders characteristic of this river. These are separated from the main channel by natural levees, which support a mixture of tall wetland shrubs and small lowlands hardwoods. They also tend to be quite weedy. The steep clay bluffs confining the valley are generally undeveloped, sometimes forested and provide a measure of buffering between the river and urban areas.

Locally deep, flowing sloughs support stands of wild rice and beds of pondweeds. Drier portions of the wetlands contain patches of sedge meadow, dominated by tussock sedge and bluejoint grass. Noted during the plant survey were American bittern, wood duck, blue-winged teal, mallard, hooded merganser and sedge wren.

Though the lower Nemadji system has suffered many abuses, it has retained many significant natural features and should be a prime candidate for remedial attention. The marshes are representatively diverse, dominated by native species, appear reasonably functional and support uncommon birds. Exotic plants are still quite localized, associated mostly with the disturbed levees and formerly dredged areas near U.S Highway 2.

For more information on the Nemadji River, see the stream narrative, below.

Oliver Marsh

This large marsh in the St. Louis River Estuary extends from the village of Oliver to the Superior Municipal Forest. A narrow natural levee developed on the outside bend of a channel meander and is partially vegetated with shrubs and small lowland hardwoods. This separates the northern portion of the marsh from the main channel. The emergent beds are generally composed of tall, narrow-leaved plants, especially bulrushes, bur reeds, lake sedge, cattails, sweetflag and arrowheads. Pockets of wild rice occur in several protected bays fed by tiny streams draining the uplands to the east. A deep central lagoon, between the natural levee and the emergent beds adjacent the upland shore, harbors significant stands of floating-leaved and submergent aquatic plants such as waterweed, wild celery, yellow water lily and pondweeds.

Double-crested cormorants, common terns, northern harrier, merlin and bald eagle were noted in August 1996 during a vegetation survey.

Most of the Wisconsin shoreline is undeveloped, and forested with paper birch and trembling aspen. Remnant conifer stands are scattered along the clay bluffs. Where homes and docks have been constructed, such as near Oliver, erosion is noticeable. Small patches of the invasive species purple loosestrife are often associated with the natural levees, or disturbed shoreline areas. Slumps occur on many of the clay bluffs exposed to the direct action of water and ice, especially when unprotected by stands of aquatic vegetation. The Minnesota side of the river has more extensive residential and industrial development, but also has extensive marshes.

For more information, see the St. Louis River stream narrative, below.

Pokegama-Carnegie Wetlands

The extensive, poorly drained red clay flats in the headwaters of the Pokegama and Little Pokegama rivers support a large wetlands mosaic of shrub swamp, sedge meadow, emergent marsh, and small ponds. Tiny upland islets of white spruce, white pine, red pine, balsam poplar and trembling aspen punctuate the flats. The shrub wetlands are composed mostly of speckled alder and willows. The more open wet meadows are dominated by sedges and bluejoint grass. Widely scattered small pools support a variety of emergent and submergent aquatic vegetation.

Many populations of rare plants occur in the wetlands here, represented by large and/or multiple populations. Some of these species are not widespread in the basin, but are concentrated in the vicinity of the city of Superior. Amphibians and birds using the area include: wood frog, spring peeper, green frog, leopard frog, eastern gray tree frog, American toad, yellow warbler, golden-winged warbler, gray catbird, alder flycatcher, white-throated sparrow, swamp sparrow, song sparrow, sora, Virginia rail, common snipe, woodcock, sharp-shinned hawk, northern goshawk and common raven.

Several right-of-ways cross the wetland that may affect the hydrology. Examination of original land survey notes and historic and current aerial photos would be helpful in understanding changes in land use and vegetation composition and structure, which could have management implications. Invasive exotic species are not a problem at present, but monitoring should be done periodically. At least one corridor crossing the wetland carries petroleum.

While the vegetation here is similar to other sites around the city of Superior, the size of the site, the floristic diversity and large populations of rare species may make it less likely in the short term to suffer destruction or fragmentation due to development, disrupted hydrology and incursions of non-native species.

For more information on the Pokegama River, see the stream narratives, below.

Red River Breaks/St. Louis River Marshes

The rough, deeply dissected red clay landscape drained by the Red River and its tributaries borders the St. Louis River above the city of Superior. Much of the Red River Breaks is forested, with pole-sized trembling aspen dominant. The canopy is sparse, with a dense understory of speckled alder prominent. Conifers, which once dominated, occur now only as scattered individuals or in small stands, with white spruce, white pine and white cedar the most important species. In poorly drained flats on the level ridges between ravines there are patches of black ash-dominated hardwood swamp and thickets of speckled alder and other tall wetlands shrubs. Areas of standing water are infrequent, but they support small emergent marshes and broad-leaved sedge meadows. A few patches of well-drained mesic hardwood forest occur on the ridges, dominated by sugar maple and yellow birch. Generally, these are rare.

The lower slopes of the steep ravines are often springy, sometimes supporting remnant stands of white cedar and unusual herbs. Several springs flow orange with iron bacteria. One spring was noted with tufa, or calcium carbonate deposition. Some of the small terraces contain mature stands of large white spruce, black ash and balsam poplar.

Several of the small feeder creeks entering the site from the west (Minnesota) ran clear despite heavy rains, and were sand-, gravel- and boulder-bottomed. Small fish and number of invertebrates occurred in these upper stretches. Nearing the St, Louis River, the streams become more turbid with a heavier load of fine sediments. Along the St. Louis River stands of emergent aquatic plants, shrub swamp and small patches of black ash swamp occur.

At least 10 species of rare plants were documented in the Red River Breaks. While no rare animals were observed, a diversity of birds exists, including many neotropical migrants.

Much damage occurred in the area from past logging that disrupted steep, unstable slopes. Conifers are not reproducing well due to the loss of seed sources, unstable and possibly waterlogged substrates, overbrowsing by white-tailed deer, and possible damage to soil structure. Thickets of tall shrubs and dense stands of bluejoint grass may be inhibiting the establishment of some species.

Upper portions of the St. Louis river Estuary, from Fond du Lac (MN) downstream to Oliver (WI) feature extensive emergent marshes. These St. Louis River Marshes are typically inside the main channel's meanders, but also occur in protected, shallow bays along the upland shore. Wild rice and sweet flag are locally common. Deeper waters of the marsh complexes support submergent and floating-leaved plants such as coontail, waterweed, yellow water lily, wild celery and pondweeds.

The patches of marsh are often bordered by a natural levee vegetated by tall wetlands shrubs and lowland hardwoods, especially speckled alder, red-osier dogwood, meadowsweet, willows, ashes and box elder.

Animals have not been surveyed in detail, but heavy waterfowl use is apparent in the fall. In the nesting season, sightings occurred for bald eagle, osprey, common tern and merlin, all of which are listed in the Natural Heritage Inventory Database.

The Wisconsin shoreline is almost entirely undeveloped, and includes a large block of rough, forested, roadless terrain (Red River Breaks). A large area of this is in the St. Louis River Streambank Protection Area. Significant wetlands also occur on the Minnesota side of the river, including remnant patches of wire-leaved sedge fen.

For more information, see the stream narratives for the St. Louis River and Red River, below.

Superior Municipal Forest

The 4,000-acre city forest contains a wealth of natural features unusual to an urbanized area. Among the most significant of these are stands of mature, coniferous forest, extensive emergent marsh, and wet clay flats supporting a mixture of shrub swamp and wet meadow. The site borders the St. Louis River Estuary, which dissects the uplands into a series of steep-sided ridges.

The coniferous forests are composed primarily of species associated with boreal regions: dominants include white spruce, white pine, balsam fir, balsam poplar, and paper birch. In some stands, red pine, black ash or white cedar are important. Evidence of the disruptive influence of logging remains in stands of trembling aspen and paper birch. The moist understories also are reminiscent of a boreal flora, including uncommon species such as lungwort and rabbit berry.

Birds are typical of a mature conifer forest, such as blackburnian, black-throated green, pine, yellow-rumped, parula and Cape May warblers. Winter wren, mourning warbler, veery and hermit thrush inhabit the forest understory.

Throughout the Lake Superior Clay Plain Ecoregional Subsection, this forest type has been greatly fragmented and often replaced by monotypic stands of aspen. Thus the stands found within this site have at least a regional conservation significance. They could also provide a template for restoration actions considered elsewhere.

An extensive emergent marsh borders both sides of the Pokegama River as it enters the estuary. Marsh composition is very similar to that of the stands found along the lower stretches of the St. Louis. Deeper waters support submergent and floating-leaved species. Among the resident birds here are Virginia rail, sora and marsh wren. Northern harrier, common tern and bald eagle were noted foraging in the marsh.

The invasive exotic purple loosestrife is uncommon, but widespread. A heavy infestation occurs just to the east of the city forest in ditched wetlands bordering railroad tracks and state highway 105. Eradication of the source population of further propagation is necessary.

The shrub swamp and meadow complex provides habitat for several rare plants, including clustered bur reed, small yellow water crowfoot and sweet coltsfoot. Dominant plants include speckled alder, willows, lake sedge and bluejoint grass. Birds such as alder flycatcher, yellow warbler, sedge wren and white-throated sparrow are common. This wetland is the southernmost portion of a formerly much larger and contiguous wetland that has been partially destroyed and greatly disrupted by development.

A significant portion of this site was designated a State Natural Area in 1996.

Superior Airport/Hill Avenue Wetlands/South Superior Triangle

These three sites, now separated by roads, railroad tracks and other urban development, are the largest remnants of a once contiguous wetlands within the city of Superior. The wetlands are mosaics of shrub swamp and open meadow, with a few small patches of emergent marsh. Trembling aspen often occupies drier portions of the sites. Despite the severe disturbances that have altered the composition, structure, function, size and configuration of these wetlands, they harbor significant populations of rare plants.

Dominant shrubs are speckled alder and willows. Open meadows are typically dominated by broad-leaved sedges, most commonly lake sedge. Rare species occurring here include neat spikerush, clustered bur reed, small yellow water crowfoot, sweet coltsfoot, Vasey's rush and New England violet.

Among the resident birds are swamp sparrow, song sparrow, common yellowthroat, yellow warbler, gray catbird, alder flycatcher and sedge wren.

Because of the habitat fragmentation and isolation, and disrupted hydrology, these sites are highly vulnerable to damage even in the absence of future development. The city of Superior has developed a rare plant conservation plan in association with the expansion of its airport. As part of the plan, the city relocated many of the rare plant populations occurring at the new runway site. In addition, the plan calls for the city to manage the wetlands to benefit rare plant species at the airport site that will not be affected by the new runway, as well as lands it will be acquiring soon along Hill Avenue. This could include techniques such as brushing, prescribed burning and scarification to create and perpetuate the microhabitats used by many of these rare species. In an effort to better understand which translocation and management techniques are most effective for these rare species, the city will monitor rare species populations at the airport for 10 years.

The city of Superior also received approval recently from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for its Special Area Management Plan (SAMP). The goal of the SAMP is to encourage residential, commercial and industrial development in areas of the city that are most logical from a land use planning perspective, while minimizing environmental impacts. In developing the list of potential development sites in the SAMP, the city removed a site initially recommended for development along Hill Avenue due to the presence of rare plants. To ensure that important populations of rare species and high quality natural communities are protected, the city will also work with WDNR's Bureau of Endangered Resources for guidance on rare species inventories each time a site identified in the SAMP is proposed for development.

Wisconsin Point-Allouez Bay Marshes

Wisconsin Point

Wisconsin Point is the eastern portion of a long coastal barrier spit separating the waters of Lake Superior from Allouez Bay. Major site features include several miles of open sand beach and dunes, small interdunal wetlands, and a xeric forest for white and red pine. The point and adjacent Allouez Bay receive heavy visitation by migrating birds in the spring. Development includes roads, vehicle turnouts, a Coast Guard station and breakwater.

The open dunes are dominated by marram grass and beach pea. Other characteristic plants are evening primrose, sand cherry, Canada wild-rye, common milkweed, jointweed, rock cress and scouring rushes. Stabilized dunes are colonized by shrubs such as common juniper and false heather and sapling trees. Disturbed areas are very weedy, with many exotic species present, and often support extensive beds of poison ivy. The exposed outer beaches are unvegetated.

A small interdunal swale near the western tip of the point supports a community dominated by low graminoid plants, especially sedges, rushes and scouring rushes. Other noteworthy species include red-stemmed gentian, nodding ladies' tresses and a large population of rare marsh grass-of-Parnassus. The swale is surrounded by dense thickets of tall shrubs, mostly speckled alder, willow and red-osier dogwood. These shrubs are encroaching on the openings and should be monitored and controlled, if necessary. The shrubs do provide a measure of security for this fragile site by screening it from most passersby. During 1996 this swale was very wet, with standing water reaching a depth of more than 30 centimeters in July and August.

Many of these same species occur in a small opening east of the Coast Guard station on the bay side of the point. This area was cleared of vegetation and then fenced in the hope that it would provide nesting habitat for the critically endangered piping plover. The center of this sand area was excavated to a depth slightly below the water table, providing suitable conditions for colonization by some of the interdunal swale plants. Of additional interest are other rarities, including little grape fern, marsh horsetail, and a possible first Wisconsin record for juniper clubmoss.

The mature xeric forest covering half the western half of the point is composed of white and red pines, with a dense shrub layer of beaked hazelnut. There may be a long-term concern for this forest as the pines cannot reproduce under the dense shade of the shrubs and hardwood saplings. Natural disturbances, such as fire, that once occurred here and ultimately benefitted shade-intolerant species may no longer be acceptable. Pine plantations adjoin the natural forest and it would be desirable to eventually phase these out, restoring open dune vegetation or pine forest, whichever is most appropriate.

Resident birds include pine, black-throated green and yellow-rumped warblers, ovenbird, red-breasted nuthatch, hermit thrush and, possibly, merlin.

Allouez Bay

Allouez Bay sits between the city of Superior's community of Allouez and Wisconsin Point. The eastern end of the bay is shallow and contains a large marsh, with patches of sedge meadow and drowned tamarack swamp present near the base of Wisconsin Point. Several small streams, including Bear Creek and Bluff Creek, empty into the bay. A portion of the wetland at the head of the bay, now cut off by the access road to Wisconsin Point, was filled in the past.

The marsh is dominated by tall graminoids, such as bur reeds, bulrushes, spikerush, sedges, and cattails. Broad-leaved arrowhead is also among the dominants. Deep areas with in and on the margins of the emergent marsh support floating-leaved and submergent aquatic plants. The uncommon small-leaved yellow water lily occurs in the deepest waters of the bay capable of supporting rooted aquatic vegetation. The portions of the wetlands nearest the shore are dominated by sedges. Tamarack snags are scattered throughout parts of this area.

It is possible that this wetland once contained extensive mats of wire-leaved sedges, but that eutrophication and other disturbances led to changed conditions that aided the spread and eventual dominance of the coarser, more tolerant emergents. This wetland retains high wildlife values. In the early spring, substantial numbers of waterfowl of many kinds congregate here. This site may be especially significant in years when the ice break up on Lake Superior is late (as it was in 1996) and little open water is available elsewhere. The marsh also supports many nesting birds, including uncommon species like the American bittern, least bittern and northern harrier. WDNR has supported a tern nesting habitat restoration project at Wisconsin Point-Allouez Bay and common terns, sometimes several score, were observed foraging on the bay in 1995-1996.

Recommendations

1. WDNR fish management staff should continue to collect and analyze channel catfish from the St. Louis River to assess them for trends in organic chemical contamination in accordance with the Lake Superior fish contaminant monitoring strategy (Type B).

2. WDNR fish management staff should continue to collect and analyze yellow perch, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bullhead and channel catfish from the St. Louis River for human health concerns in accordance with the Lake Superior fish contaminant monitoring strategy (Type B).

3. WDNR and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources should develop a coordinated fishery management plan for the St. Louis River that would establish common goals and possibly common fishing regulations (Types B and C).

4. Regional basin management staff should make a site visit to the dry run drainage ditch tributary to Bear Creek to determine the location of the Chicago and Northwestern - Itasca discharge (Type B).

5. Regional basin management staff should assess Bluff Creek to determine its aquatic use potential and evaluate if any threats are posed to water quality based on railyard runoff (Type B).

6. The WDNR regional water resource biologist should provide an updated classification memo for the unnamed tributary to Copper Creek receiving the Four Corners School discharge (Type B)

7. Regional basin management staff should make a site visit to the Lakehead Pipeline discharge point to the Nemadji River to locate the site using a GPS unit and identify the effluent path (Type B).

8. WDNR watershed and waste management staff should continue to work with Murphy Oil U.S.A, Inc., and possibly other parties, to clean up contaminated sediments in Newton Creek Impoundment and, possibly, selected reaches of Newton Creek (Types B and C).

9. WDNR watershed and waste management staff should work with and possibly oversee efforts by Murphy Oil U.S.A, Inc. and/or Lakehead Pipe Line Company and/or other possible parties to clean up the western portion of Hog Island Inlet (Types B and C).

10. WDNR's watershed management program and the regional basin management team should assess sediment contamination in Superior Bay between the city of Superior wastewater treatment plant outfall and Barker's Island (Type B).

11. Fraser Shipyards should complete its assessment of the nature, extent and aquatic ecosystem impacts of sediment contamination in Howards Bay, and evaluate and implement appropriate cleanup (Type C).

12. Koppers Company should complete its assessment of the nature, extent and aquatic ecosystem impacts of sediment contamination in Crawford Creek and the adjacent wetlands, and evaluate and implement appropriate cleanup (Type C).

13. Koppers Company should complete its investigation of possible dioxin contamination in soils on site (Type C).

14. WDNR should develop recommendations for the St. Louis River System Remedial Action Plan that would restore the beneficial uses in areas of the St. Louis River and Duluth-Superior Harbor that are impaired by sediment contamination (Type B).

15. WDNR should implement the recommendations it makes in the St. Louis River System Remedial Action Plan for contaminated sediment sites in the Wisconsin portions of the St. Louis River and Duluth-Superior Harbor (Type B).

16. WDNR should implement recommendations from the St. Louis River System Remedial Action Plan (1995) that are directed to the agency (Type B).

17. Regional basin management staff should conduct a standards review on waters receiving a permitted discharge in the St. Louis River watershed (Type B).

18. Regional basin teams, in conjunction with the RAP should further monitor the St. Louis River in accordance with recommendations of the RAP to determine impacts on aquatic and terrestrial life (Type B).

19. WDNR should apply the findings of the Special Area Management Plan (SAMP) being prepared for the city of Superior to the wetlands protection recommendations made under the St. Louis River RAP, where applicable (Type B).

20. The U.S. Geologic Survey and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers should consider doing a cost/benefit study to determine the feasibility of operating commercial sand traps on the Nemadji River as a way to reduce the need for dredging in the Duluth/Superior Harbor (Type C.)

21. Implementation of the St. Louis and Red Rivers Streambank Protection Area and the Nemadji River Basin Plan should be completed (Types B and C).

Bear Creek T49N R13W S34

This stream is a small and at least partly intermittent drainage feeder to Allouez Bay of the St. Louis River and has variable and seasonal flows. It was classified as a limited forage fishery. It previously received treated effluent from the Douglas County Hospital. This discharge no longer occurs and through the revision process of the NR104 listing of variance waters will be removed from the list of waters not expected to achieve standards for fishable, swimmable waters. Until otherwise formally classified, this stream should be assumed to meet fish and aquatic life uses. Bear Creek receives a discharge from the Chicago and Northwestern Transport Co. Itasca Yard via a drainage ditch. The mouth of Bear Creek is an important spawning area for northern pike and many other warm water species (Pratt 1996).

Bluff Creek

A one-mile stretch of this stream was listed as a limited forage fishery based upon an older classification memo. We do not know the current condition of this 18-mile long stream, which empties into Allouez Bay of Superior Bay. Since we know little about this stream it should thus be considered capable of supporting fish and aquatic life until formally classified. Runoff from the Burlington Northern railyards and engine house reaches this stream. The mouth of Bluff Creek is an important spawning area for northern pike and many other warm water species (Pratt 1996).

During survey work for the coastal wetlands evaluation, one rare macroinvertebrate was found in this stream, which has moderate richness of macroinvertebrate taxa (Epstein 1997). Impacts noted at the survey site included significant turbidity, silt and low flow conditions. Significant sources of pollutants included barnyards, livestock, cropland and erodible stream banks, with point source and septic contributions present (Epstein 1997).

Copper Creek and Unnamed Tributary T47N R14W S22 NENE

Copper Creek flows generally north off the Superior escarpment into the Nemadji River. Most of the stream is assumed to support a balanced fishery. The reach beginning from the town road crossing in section 25-26, T47N R14W and extending downstream about two miles to a warm water tributary is considered Class II trout waters reported to support brook trout. The unnamed tributary flowing north to Copper Creek in section 22, T27N, R14W is classified as supporting a Class I reproducing brook trout population and is listed as an exceptional resource water. The tributary has an extremely high gradient of 145 feet per mile, but has a relatively small base flow. The bottom is mostly unstable sand with small amounts of gravel. Precipitated iron deposits cover most of the stream substrate at the headwaters. About an eighth of a mile of the stream flows within Pattison State Park. Both creeks are considered flashy based on in-stream debris and eroded banks.

Unnamed Tributary to Copper Creek T47N R14W S23 SWNE

An unnamed intermittent tributary flows about 2,000 feet to this stream from the outfall of the Superior School District Wastewater Treatment Plant (Four Corners School). This tributary is recommended for inclusion in NR104 as a limited forage fishery. It was previously listed as supporting limited aquatic life. Based on the best professional judgment of the biologist who prepared the 1984 classification memo, this stream should be listed at the higher level. Updated information on this outfall and its impact on Copper Creek would be useful.

Crawford Creek

A 1986 sample taken from sediments in this creek revealed it contained unidentified polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). A possible cause of contamination was the wastewater outfall from Koppers Industries, a wood treatment facility near Superior. Koppers had been working with U.S. EPA and WDNR to license the surface impoundments and a barrel storage area as a hazardous waste treatment and storage facility. In 1988, Koppers proposed closing the lagoons and agreed to abandon a spray irrigation field. Sludges and soils were excavated from the lagoons, but not all contamination could be removed so the site was capped with a composite cap. In 1988, sediment sampling indicated PAH contamination. The lagoon was capped and abandoned in 1989. Koppers installed a wastewater system that processed all wastewater through a dissolved air flotation unit and then a biotrol (for bacteria decomposition) to destroy any remaining cresol and organic pollutants. In 1992, WDNR's hazardous waste section collected samples from the creek that showed contamination consistent with cresol. Koppers proposed sampling its outfalls and Crawford Creek, but this was postponed for two summers until an agreement could be reached with U.S. EPA on a dioxins analysis quality assurance plan. WDNR petitioned U.S. EPA for lead status in the corrective action as WDNR has done at other Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) sites in the state. WDNR will likely take over the lead on this project when the project moves from the investigative phase to remediation. The department completed review of the preliminary sediment assessment report submitted and has requested additional assessment (Liebenstein).

Nemadji River

The Nemadji River drains 430 square miles of Minnesota and Wisconsin and carries a tremendous sediment load to Superior Bay, where it enters the Duluth-Superior Harbor near the Burlington Northern Ore Docks in Superior. Natural and human-induced erosion have caused the Nemadji River and its tributaries to cut deep valleys into the red clays of the watershed. Movement of soil material downhill due to gravity--slumping--is severe, and occurs in many locations adjacent to rivers. A sediment budget done for the Nemadji River Basin indicates that 98 percent of the sediment delivered to the harbor comes from bluff erosion along streams (NRCS 1996). Much of this soil material enters the stream system and is ultimately carried to the Duluth-Superior Harbor and Lake Superior. The Duluth-Superior Harbor was originally shallow, and must be dredged to maintain channels for ship traffic. On average, 23,000 tons of silt and clay, and 14,000 tons of sand are dredged per year due to the Nemadji River. About 94,000 tons of silt and clay annually, or 260 tons daily, are carried into Lake Superior (Lensch). This is the equivalent of 17 dump truck loads of silt and clay being dumped into Lake Superior daily. Sedimentation can cause the choking of spawning beds and carry contaminants and nutrients with them that can degrade aquatic habitat.

Clinging to sediment can be other contaminants or oxygen-demanding materials. Monitoring data from U.S. Geological Survey gauging stations and WDNR indicate periodically high inputs of bacteria at levels in excess of state standards for contact, and phosphorus levels high enough to promote algal growth.

While red clay erosion is natural, human activities in the last century have accelerated the natural process. Among those activities is the removal of forest cover that held soils in place. Recommendations from the St. Louis River System RAP's erosion and sedimentation technical advisory committee focused on implementing management recommendations that would moderate the rapid runoff from upland areas, which produces flash flooding in the Nemadji and its tributaries. The recommendations deal with a long-term process of managing forest cover to reduce surface runoff rates, and reestablishing natural drainage patterns to modify flooding and erosion in the watershed.

The mouth of the Nemadji River is an area of side-channel wetlands that extend for about a mile upstream. Wetlands at the mouth of the Nemadji cover about 90 acres that supports the spawning of several warm water fish species, including muskellunge. This area is identified by the Lake Superior Binational Program as important habitat to the Lake Superior ecosystem for coastal wetlands and fish and wildlife spawning and nursery grounds.

The Burlington Northern Railroad Co. operates a taconite pellet transfer facility with a permitted effluent discharge near the mouth of the Nemadji via an unnamed tributary and wetland at T49N R13W S31/32. At this site, taconite arrives by rail and is transferred by a conveyor system to ships docked in Superior Bay. Taconite may be temporarily stored on site prior to transfer. The discharge is primarily from storm water runoff and groundwater discharge. This tributary and wetland area is proposed for inclusion in the update of NR104 as waters that support limited aquatic life.

Lakehead Pipe Line Co. discharges to the Nemadji River via a drainage ditch. We have no file information to describe the effluent path or to identify the outlet location. Regional staff report it is an intermittent discharge used for hydrostatic testing (Larson).

The river supports an abundant variety of warm water fish species. Several railroads and highways cross the Nemadji and it flows into a highly industrial area. The susceptibility of such waterways to waste discharges and spills was made evident when several Burlington-Northern railway cars fell from the Highway 35 bridge into the river June 30, 1992. One tank car, which carried about 34,000 gallons of a chemical mixture known as aromatic concentrates, ruptured (LaValley 1996²). Aromatic concentrates is a byproduct of the ethane cracking process and is used as a chemical feedstock for other hydrocarbon processes. Benzene makes up about 45 percent of the mixture. The spill resulted in a fish and wildlife kill and the evacuation of about 20,000 people in the Superior area as a cloud of chemical vapors drifted over the city, portions of Duluth and the western tip of Lake Superior. Spill response was hampered by stormy weather and safety issues. WDNR prepared a report in 1994, Environmental Impacts of the Nemadji River Spill, describing the results of the spill investigation. The report suggests the heavy rains following the spill may have helped disperse the materials and limited the impact. Containment booms helped recover some chemicals at the 31st Street Bridge, but mixing during the 16-mile run downstream from the spill, and rising water levels, inhibited recovery. Concentrations of benzene as high as 10,000 micrograms per liter of water were measured at the 31st Street Bridge, and decreased rapidly after a few hours. Most monitoring occurred too late to measure concentrations before they had been diluted or vaporized on their way downriver. Most of the material reached Superior Harbor within 30 to 50 hours of the spill. Dramatic increases in river flow, eight feet in the two days following the spill, did not occur until most of the spill approached the river mouth or already had reached the bay. While most of the contaminants quickly volatilized or were carried away in the river, some substances did bind with sediments where they dissipated more slowly.

Exposure appears to have been short-term, a few days, for which little data exists for the compounds in aromatic concentrates. At least one sample taken 16 miles downstream from the site exceeded the acute toxicity level for benzene; dying and distressed fish were observed in conjunction with the spill plume. Mortality estimates suggest thousands of fish died, including game, forage and rough species. Among those collected were bullheads, channel catfish, white sucker, northern pike, walleye, carp and rock bass. Distressed fish were seen rising to the surface of the river, despite evidence that the water contained sufficient oxygen levels, where the fish were further exposed to the sheen of raw chemicals on the river surface. These fish became targets for the large numbers of gulls observed feeding on them. Examination of dead fish showed they suffered damage to the protective membranes around their breathing mechanisms and high levels of chemicals in their tissues. At the time of the spill, local residents and WDNR staff observed numerous dead birds, particularly young birds, and domestic poultry affected by the toxic cloud. Some small wild and domestic mammal mortality occurred as well. Many birds and small mammals appeared to avoid the area in the days following the spill. Abandonment of nests may have caused some mortality of young as a result of exposure and predation. Two months after the spill, wildlife appeared to have no levels of the spilled materials in tissues. While many were concerned that residuals of the chemicals would linger in the river sediments, tests one year later showed no significant residuals. The subsequent flooding may have helped flush the pollutants from the system.

In May, 1994, a stipulated agreement with Burlington Northern railroad resulted in a settlement of which $220,000 was available for restoration of the water environment and fish and wildlife resources. Citizens of the Superior area told WDNR that the highest priority for settlement funds should be for environmental education. The funds resulted in seed money for an environmental education center for the Superior Municipal Forest; enhanced restoration and management of the common tern, an endangered species in the Superior area; and a one year grant to Lake Superior River Watch, an environmental education program that was supported in the past in some Superior schools by state and federal funds. Proposals would expand the River Watch program throughout Superior schools and potentially into regional schools. The RAP has recommended continued funding of the River Watch program as a means of educating citizens in the area of concern and acting as an outreach component of the RAP. Additional projects are under consideration.

Nemadji River Basin Project

The St. Louis River RAP recommended that the agencies secure funding to implement recommendations generated by the Nemadji River Basin Project. These recommendations will forward the goal of reducing sediment inputs from the Nemadji River watershed. An original recommendation in the 1992 iteration of the RAP called for a basin project to reduce erosion and sedimentation, with a watershedwide focus, determinations of the extent and causes of runoff problems and strategies to implement practices that would reduce erosion and sedimentation. The RAP also recommended the project should build on previous work such as the Red Clay project, and include the entire watershed. The Red Clay Research and Demonstration Project, concluded in the 1970s, looked at the properties of the red clay soils, the effect of vegetation on the soils, and tested a variety of stabilization projects. The Red Clay Project focused much of its effort on engineering solutions to streambank erosion. The project concluded that 90 percent of the sediment discharged to Lake Superior originated in 2 percent of the area, namely streambanks, channels and gullies (Lensch). While the erosion area is small, the study didn't look at the hydrologic conditions that increase peak flow and volumes, and thus increase streambank erosion (NRCS January, 1994).

One suggested compounding influence on the erosion and sedimentation in the Nemadji River is the combined influences of urbanization and the apparent shift in forest composition from conifer to deciduous, leading to higher peak flows in the river. (NRCS Feb. 25, 1994). While 90 percent of the watershed is forested, the forest adjacent to streams may not be an effective sediment filter, or may not form a sturdy enough root system to hold soils in place. Many red clay slumps in the watershed still move down hill despite tree cover, likely due to shallow groundwater movement beneath the root zone. The riparian areas along the stream vary dramatically in width and quality. Different types of trees, their age and understory can effect the stabilization effect of the forest cover. (NRCS January 1994).

The Nemadji River Basin Project, funded primarily by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly Soil Conservation Service) and the U.S. Forest Service, will not only generate information about the river, but also provide a recommended remedial measures to correct identified problems. The RAP recommended Minnesota DNR and WDNR take the lead in implementing recommendations from the project and identified potential sources of federal and state funding, including considering the watershed for priority watershed status under Wisconsin's Nonpoint Source Water Pollution Abatement Program.

The two-year Nemadji River Basin Project began in January of 1994. WDNR has taken an active role, with staff facilitating project development and coordination among the many agencies and groups involved in the project. The project uses a voluntary approach for adoption of a cleanup plan to restore beneficial uses in the watershed. WDNR staff have been involved in developing practices for land use, soil management and forestry that will help protect and improve water quality condition. Staff have also provided assistance with wildlife, fish and water resources management issues. Data provided by the project will be used to rank the basin for priority watershed selection. It is WDNR's expectation that sufficient cause exists to believe the watershed could benefit from priority watershed status, which enables WDNR to form partnerships with local government and provide financial incentives to implement of best-management practices that protect water quality. Due to the number of watersheds already selected or involved in the program, this watershed could not be elected before the year 2001.

Among project objectives are collect and analyze data for development of a remedial action plan for the watershed and best-management practices; inform and educate citizens about problems in the watershed and potential solutions; implement a public participation plan and improve multi-agency cooperation.

WDNR intends to apply recommendations that come out of the Nemadji Basin Project to other watersheds in the basin that experience the problems associated with red clay.

Newton Creek

This is a heavily polluted stream recommended for classification as a limited forage fishery, even though it currently contains limited aquatic life due to severe pollution. It drains a large wetland area just west of the Murphy Oil refinery in the city of Superior. Murphy Oil discharges to Newton Creek at T49N R14W S25 SWSE. This streams flows north through a city park before emptying into a wetland and shallow water area, Hog Island Inlet, which empties into Superior Bay in the Duluth-Superior Harbor. While the headwater wetlands contribute to the stream's baseflow, the majority of the stream's flow arises in the refinery's lagoons. Fish and other higher aquatic life forms are unable to survive in this stream. Bioassays have shown that Newton Creek water and the area around the creek mouth at Hog Island Inlet demonstrate acute and chronic toxicity in test organisms. Present are petroleum byproducts, metals and other substances. Water quality data collected by WDNR indicated that some reaches of the stream have levels of dissolved oxygen below the 5 milligram per liter necessary for growth and activity of fish, at times ranging below levels that would stress most aquatic organisms. Phosphorus concentrations range as high as 300 parts per billion. Levels of more than 30 ppb are thought to increase plant growth. Total phosphorus levels in Hog Island Inlet were measured with values that would indicate eutrophic waters, higher than 100 ppb in several samples.

In 1993 and 1994, WDNR conducted a characterization study of contamination in the sediments of the Newton Creek system, which encompasses the 1.5-acre impoundment at its headwaters, the stream and flood plain and 15-acre Hog Island Inlet of Superior Bay. Study of the system prior to 1993 indicated contaminants at levels harmful to aquatic life and raised concerns that contamination from Newton Creek reaches Superior Bay and Lake Superior. The characterization study has concluded that ecological impacts in most reaches of Newton Creek Impoundment and the creek are severe, based on observed impairment to the aquatic community, measured toxicity and high concentrations of diesel range organics and lead. Severe ecological impacts also appear to occur in the sediment community of the western and central portions of Hog Island Inlet. Sediment analysis turned up varying levels of toxicity throughout the inlet. The wetland isthmus between Hog Island Inlet and Superior Bay showed significant impairment to the sediment-dwelling community. The study concluded the wetland area may be suffering some ill effects from Newton Creek contamination, but not at severe levels. In Superior Bay, significant, but not severe sediment toxicity was observed at one station, but no effects at another. There did not appear to be any observed effect on the sediment-dwelling aquatic community.

The study recommends three portions of the Newton Creek System be considered for remediation:

• The entire area of the impoundment including about 1,600 cubic yards of soft sediments.
• The entire length of the creek from 21st Street to 6th Street, except for one upstream reach, and the length from U.S. Highway 2-53 to Hog Island Inlet. The volume of stream sediments and floodplain soils that should be considered for remediation in this stretch include 2,300 cubic yards of material along 5,600 linear feet of stream.
• The western one-third of Hog Island Inlet, comprising 34,200 square yards and representing an estimated sediment volume of 16,000 cubic yards.

Pollutants of concern in the Newton Creek System include hydrocarbons, metals and ammonia. Diesel range organics concentrations exceed 10,000 micrograms per gram at several locations in the impoundment, with the creek and inlet exhibiting lower, but still high maximum concentrations. Maximum background concentrations in reference creeks and inlets in the area ranged between 13 and 340 micrograms per gram.

Enrichment with oil and grease in the system corresponds with the distribution and concentration of diesel range organics. Generally, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) levels have not exceeded upperbound estimates from the reference sites. A few locations do, however, appear to be enriched. Lead, chromium and mercury levels are also elevated in the Newton Creek System. Concentrations of ammonia-nitrogen in the sediments were also elevated.

The wetland complex of Hog Island Inlet off the mouth of Newton Creek is presently used by waterfowl. The site could provide important shallow water and wetland habitat if remediated. The Lake Superior Binational Program has identified this inlet as important to the integrity of the Lake Superior ecosystem for coastal wetlands.

As part of RAP projects to assess the impact of contaminated sediments on the ecosystem, staff evaluated whether tree swallows that feed from insects emerging from the waters of Hog Island Inlet are accumulating contaminants. The study has shown that the hatching success in the Newton Creek watershed is significantly lower than at a control site, and evidence of petroleum hydrocarbons was detected in the livers and digestive tracts of young birds. The study will continue, using liver enzyme assays as a measure of exposure during remediation (Patnode).

In August 1997, Murphy Oil began cleanup of the impoundment off of Stinson Avenue and a 780-foot stretch of Newton Creek near its headwaters under a memorandum of understanding with the department. The project involved the removal of 4,100 cubic yards of contaminated sediment from the impoundment, and 100 cubic yards of contaminated sediment from the reach of the creek. The contaminated sediment was combined with cement to bind it and disposed of on Murphy Oil's property in two existing wastewater lagoons that were converted into a disposal site.

Newton Creek has also been affected by a former municipal combined sewer overflow and other possible sources have affected Hog Island Inlet (Walz). A five-year study of the creek is ongoing as part of the memorandum of understanding with Murphy Oil (Liebenstein). WDNR is now working with the city of Superior to cooperatively clean up other stretches of the stream and inlet (Berg 1998, Liebenstein).

Pokegama River

Red clay erosion contributes to large amounts of sediment and turbidity in the river. The river is an important spawning area for walleye, northern pike, longnose and white suckers, burbot and other members of a diverse fishery; water quality is very important for successful reproduction for these species (Pratt 1996).

The outfall of the village of Superior wastewater treatment plant at SW S10 T48 N R14W then along a diffuse surface drainage to the Pokegama River, has been recommended for inclusion in the revision of NR104 as a limited aquatic life water. From the confluence of this drainage to the mouth of the river at the St. Louis River in Pokegama Bay, the Pokegama is recommended for inclusion in NR104 as a limited forage fishery.

An unnamed tributary T48N R14W S04 NESW, receives the discharge from the Duluth, Winnipeg and Pacific Railway Switching Yards industrial and sanitary wastewater treatment system. The plant outfall discharges to the upper end of a spill containment impoundment that also receives runoff from the railyard and wetland drainage. From the mouth of the tributary to the outfall at T48N R14W S17 is recommended for inclusion in NR104 as a limited forage fishery. After discharging from the impoundment, the drainageway receives additional channelized wetland and yard drainage. These sources form the headwaters of an intermittent Pokegama River tributary. The tributary channel is poorly defined in its upper reaches where it is surrounded by extensive wetland and lowland scrub. Farther down the drainage, the stream takes on the typical patterns of steeply cut clay banks and scoured, sometimes deeply cut channel indicative of the flashy streams in this region. During low flow periods, the stream may have no discharge. While during sampling no discharge occurred from the containment impoundment, a heavy planktonic algae bloom was present throughout the impoundment and abundant mats of filamentous algae were in place near the bottom end of the impoundment. Discharge samples from the weir showed moderate increases in biochemical oxygen demand and nutrients. Indicative of the heavy algae bloom occurring in the impoundment were an elevated pH and a super-saturated dissolved oxygen level. (Prenn May 21, 1991)

Red River

Red clay soils and steep topography, with sharply rolling hills and some bank slippage and erosion, characterize this watershed. The stream, listed as a Class I trout stream supporting a reproducing population of brook trout, flows into the St. Louis River west of Oliver through a large tract of land recently purchased by WDNR for the purpose of protecting the valuable fishery of the St. Louis River. More than 5,000 acres of the watershed were obtained from a single owner to become part of the St. Louis River Streambank Protection Project. The project includes the river, five miles of shoreline and 14 islands on and in the St. Louis River. This part of the St. Louis River estuary includes some of its last remaining shoreline wetlands, which provide prime breeding habitat for wildlife and fish, including some 300 species of birds, threatened and endangered species, game species and an estimated 50,000-90,000 spawning walleye. Lake sturgeon have been reintroduced in the area recently. The Lake Superior Binational Program identified this watershed as important to the integrity of the Lake Superior ecosystem for coastal wetlands, contribution to ecosystem integrity - landscape scale, diversity, vital functions for planning objectives, threatened and endangered species habitat, and fish and wildlife spawning and nursery grounds. (See discussion of critical habitat definitions under Basinwide Issues. Also see discussion, above, of St. Louis River and Red River Breaks under Priority Wetlands.)

The stream originates at springs in Jay Cooke State Park in Minnesota, flowing northeasterly in Wisconsin. The deeply eroded clay river valley exhibits relief approaching 300 feet in places. Flow extremes are common and sometimes cause bottom scouring. The stream's unstable sand, gravel and clay bottom is susceptible to disturbance. Species known to inhabit this river include northern pike, rock bass, white sucker, burbot, creek chubs and sculpin. Cedar, spruce and upland hardwoods dominate the watershed. There are no highway accesses to this area.

During survey work conducted as part of the coastal wetlands evaluation, one rare macroinvertebrate was found in the stream, which was determined to have moderate richness of taxa present. At the survey sites, staff recorded significant turbidity, iron bacteria, marl, sludge, low flows and bank erosion. Present as well were aquatic plant growth, silt and filamentous algae. (Epstein 1997.)

Rocky Run T48N R14W S34

This stream is a small, intermittent drainage feeder to Copper Creek. Due to unpredictable seasonal flows, this stream's potential for supporting a balanced fishery is reduced. This stream was erroneously listed as a trout stream in the 1991 update of this plan.

During survey work conducted as part of the coastal wetlands evaluation, no rare macroinvertebrates were found in the stream, which had a moderate taxa richness. At the survey site, significant problems were identified due to barnyards, livestock, croplands, streambank erosion, impoundment and tile, along with minor contributions from septic systems, leading to significant turbidity and to a lesser extent, silt. (Epstein 1997)

St. Louis River

The St. Louis River is the largest tributary stream entering Lake Superior from the United States. Most of its 3,442-square mile watershed drains Minnesota. After descending the Duluth escarpment at Fond du Lac, MN, the river becomes a meandering estuary with little current due to the geologic drowning of its river valley beneath the waters of Lake Superior, creating a natural harbor at its mouth. The lower 23-mile reach of the river bounds Wisconsin and Minnesota. Numerous islands and embayments characterize this part of the river. Among the larger bays in Wisconsin are St. Louis Bay, Superior Bay and Allouez Bay.

The harbor area of the St. Louis River Estuary has experienced extensive impacts due to human activity. Many of these are discussed under the St. Louis River RAP, or under individual stream discussions. Hog Island Inlet is discussed under the Newton Creek heading.

The river is the most seriously polluted waterbody in Douglas County and among the most polluted in the state. Historically, fish kills were common due to depleted oxygen from inadequately treated municipal and industrial wastes. The condition was aggravated by hydropower impoundments and fluctuating water levels due to peaking operations. Many of these issues have been addressed through the RAP. Severe erosion of red clay soils in the watershed continues to lead to extreme harbor sedimentation.

The RAP identified failing septic systems in the communities of Oliver, WI and Fond du Lac, MN that allow inadequately treated wastewater to enter the river. WDNR has accepted the village of Oliver's facility plan concept to resolve the problem with a centralized collection system and regional treatment by the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District facility in Duluth.

In 1993, WDNR's hazardous waste section conducted an inspection of Fraser Shipyards in Howards Bay, just east of Interstate Island. The inspection revealed several alleged environmental violations including illegal treatment and storage of hazardous waste. Samples of sand-blasting grit in the floor of Dry Dock Number 1 exceeded regulatory levels for lead and the contaminated grit was therefore considered a characteristic hazardous waste. Samples of sediment in Howards Bay were collected by WDNR, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, U.S. EPA and a consultant hired by Fraser. The sampling indicates lead concentration at levels toxic to environmental organisms in surface sediments, generally decreasing in levels with distance from Dry Dock Number 1. Sediment issues are being handled by the state Department of Justice (Liebenstein).

The estuary is a tremendous resource for wildlife, with its backwaters and islands providing nesting habitat for numerous waterfowl and other birds, as well as nursery and spawning areas for aquatic life.

Near the village of Oliver along the river, an area of wetland and shallow water habitat lies just down river from the mouth of the Red River and the St. Louis River Streambank Protection Area. The Lake Superior Binational Program identified this area as important to the integrity of the Lake Superior ecosystem for coastal wetlands and contribution to ecosystem integrity - landscape scale.

Interstate Island, a 200-acre island in St. Louis Bay shared between the two states, was identified by the Lake Superior Binational Program as habitat important to the integrity of the Lake Superior ecosystem. The island is a colonial bird nesting site for common terns, one of only four locations in Wisconsin where this state endangered species nests. The island is identified as important for its threatened or endangered species habitat, fish and wildlife spawning and nursery grounds and vital functions for planning objectives.

The portion of the river in Wisconsin has historically supported a warm water sport fishery. As far back as 1860, walleye were harvested commercially in the river. Other fish historically found in the river include northern pike, yellow perch, white sucker, longnose sucker and a variety of minnows, muskellunge, smallmouth bass, black crappie, rock bass, pumpkinseed, yellow, black and brown bullhead, silver and shorthead redhorse, burbot channel catfish and lake sturgeon.

During survey work conducted as part of the coastal wetlands evaluation, the richness of macroinvertebrate taxa was determined to be moderate, though it contained eight taxa that were unique to the river among the 161 streams sampled in the study (Epstein 1997). Large wetland complexes along the river are also identified in the evaluation as Priority Wetlands and are discussed in detail, above. Surveyers identified significant contributions to water quality condition due to sludge, impoundment, exotics and point sources, with lesser contributions from silt, septic systems and streambank erosion. Significant turbidity and plant growth occurred with filamentous algae present (Epstein 1997).

Wetlands along the St. Louis River were identified as Priority Wetlands in the coastal wetlands evaluation and are described in detail under Resources of Concern, above.

Development threatens wetlands in the estuary and harbor area. More than half of the wetland and open water habitat has been lost (Epstein 1996). A portion of the emergent wetland loss is likely due to natural causes created by the gradual sinking of the western portion of Lake Superior relative to the eastern portion, and the slow drowning of the St. Louis estuary (Pratt 1996). A number of plans in place or in development aim to protect what remains.

Wisconsin Point and adjacent Minnesota Point--bay mouth bars at the outlet of the St. Louis River-- form the longest fresh water sand spit in the world. Wisconsin Point supports a sand dune ecosystem and provides common tern nesting area on restored habitat. Beach dune and pine forest habitat is present, along with critical status species. The area provides an important refuge for birds and a stopover in migration. Allouez Bay, in the lee of Wisconsin Point, is a 1,300-acre wetland and shallow water habitat important for both fisheries and wildlife. Many warm water species spawn in Allouez Bay, including northern pike, yellow perch and black crappie (Pratt 1996). It is a primary northern pike spawning area. Diving birds, gulls, shorebirds, wading birds, waterfowl and eagles make use of Allouez Bay. These areas are identified by the Lake Superior Binational Program as important habitat for their coastal wetlands, diversity, rare communities, habitat unique to Great Lakes, threatened or endangered species habitat, vital functions for planning objectives, habitats for migratory wildlife and fish, and wildlife spawning and nursery grounds. Wisconsin Point is publicly owned, largely by the city of Superior, and has a high recreational value. A road runs its length, leading to beaches and a coast guard station Some sediment contamination may exist in Allouez Bay, although systematic surveys have not been done. A remedial investigation is underway at the old city of Superior dump, which is in a former wetland at the base of Wisconsin Point that has been retro-fitted with a clay cap and monitoring wells.

Wisconsin Point and Allouez Bay were identified as Priority Wetlands by the coastal wetlands evaluation and are described in detail under Resources of Concern, above.

The city of Superior's 4,500-acre municipal forest borders the St. Louis River estuary and includes Kimballs Bay, Dwights Point and Pokegama Bay. The Dwights Point-Kimballs Bay area includes a two-mile long peninsula into the St. Louis River estuary. The peninsula, Dwights Point, contains old-growth red and white pine among second growth mixed woodland, representing some of the best boreal forest remaining in Wisconsin's Lake Superior region. Kimballs and Pokegama Bays are long, serpentine bays. Pokegama Bay spans some 200 acres. Wetlands and emergent aquatic vegetation line the bays, which are used extensively by waterfowl. These public lands were identified by the Lake Superior Binational Program as habitat important to the integrity of the Lake Superior ecosystem for old growth forest, coastal wetlands and contribution to ecosystem integrity - landscape scale.

The Superior Municipal Forest was also identified as a Priority Wetland site during the coastal wetland evaluation and is described in detail under Resources of Concern, above.

Stony Brook

This stream with intermittent drainage to Copper Creek was sampled during the coastal wetlands evaluation. Agricultural runoff from barnyards, livestock and cropland, streambank erosion and impoundment, and to a lesser degree, septic systems, contribute to significant turbidity and low