Section 102.25. Ambient temperatures and water quality criteria for the protection of fish and other aquatic life.

 

(1)   General . In the absence of site-specific ambient temperature data or water quality criteria as determine in s. NR 102.26 or 102.27 , respectively, the applicable ambient temperatures, sub-lethal water quality criteria, and acute water quality criteria shall be as specified in subs. (2) to (5) . For determinations made in subs. (2) to (5) , all of the following conditions shall apply:

(a) The ambient temperature, sub-lethal water quality criterion, and acute water quality criterion specified for any calendar month shall be applied simultaneously to establish the protection needed for each identified fish and other aquatic life use.

(b) Sub-lethal water quality criteria are to be applied as maximum weekly average temperatures.

(c) Acute water quality criteria are to be applied as daily maximum temperatures.

(d) Water quality criteria for temperature shall be applied in accordance with the mixing zone provisions of s. NR 102.05 (3) .

(e) Final acute and sub-lethal water quality criteria for temperature specified in or developed pursuant to ss. NR 102.24 to 102.26 shall not be exceeded at any point outside the mixing zone. Additionally, site-specific mixing zone studies may be required when deemed appropriate by the department.

(2)   Non-specific waters . The values listed in Table 2 shall be the applicable ambient temperatures, sub-lethal and acute water quality criteria for temperature for the protection of fish and aquatic life unless other values specified in subs. (3) to (5) are applicable or approved by the department pursuant to s. NR 102.26 or 102.27 .

Table 2

A mbient Temperatures and Water Quality Criteria for Temperature for Non-Specific Waters

(All values are expressed as degrees Fahrenheit) - See PDF for table

1   Ta = ambient temperature

2   SL = sub-lethal criteria

3   A = acute criteria

4   Cold = waters with a fish and aquatic life use designation of "cold water community"

5   Warm - Large = waters with a fish and aquatic life use designation of "warm water sport fish community" or "warm water forage fish community" and
  unidirectional 7Q10 flows ≥ 200 cfs (129 mgd)

6   Warm - Small = waters with a fish and aquatic life use designation of "warm sport fish community" or "warm water forage fish community "and uni-
  directional 7Q10 flows 200 cfs (129 mgd)

7   LFF = waters with a fish and aquatic life use designation of "limited forage fish community"

(3)   Specific large rivers . The values listed in Table 3 shall be the applicable ambient temperatures, sub-lethal and acute water quality criteria for temperature for the protection of fish and aquatic life for the identified water segments unless other values are approved by the department pursuant to s. NR 102.26 or 102.27 .

Table 3

Ambient Temperatures and Water Quality Criteria for Temperature for Specific Large Rivers

(All values are expressed as degrees Fahrenheit) - See PDF for table

1 Ta = ambient temperature

2 SL = sub-lethal criteria

3 A = acute criteria

4 Mississippi River = applies to any portion of Wisconsin's Mississippi River reach

5 Rock River = applies to waters downstream of Lake Koshkonong

6 Upper Wisconsin River = applies to waters upstream of Petenwell Dam

7 Lower Wisconsin River = applies to waters downstream of Petenwell Dam to the confluence with the Mississippi River

8 Lower Fox River = applies to waters downstream of the Lake Winnebago outlet

(4)   Inland lakes and impoundments. The values listed in Table 4 shall be the applicable ambient temperatures, sub-lethal and acute water quality criteria for temperature for the protection of fish and aquatic life for inland lakes and impoundments unless other values are approved by the department pursuant to s. NR 102.26 or 102.27 .

Table 4

Ambient Temperatures and Water Quality Criteria for Temperature for Inland Lakes and Impoundments

(All values are expressed as degrees Fahrenheit) - See PDF for table

1 Ta = ambient temperature

2 SL = sub-lethal criteria

3 A = acute criteria

4 Northern = applicable for those lakes and impoundments north of State Highway 10

5 Southern = applicable for those lakes and impoundments south of State Highway 10

(5)   Great lakes waters. The values listed in Table 5 shall be the applicable ambient temperatures, sub-lethal and acute water quality criteria for the protection of fish and aquatic life for Great Lakes waters identified in s. NR 102.22 (5) unless other values are approved by the department pursuant to s. NR 102.26 or 102.27 .

Table 5

Ambient Temperatures and Water Quality Criteria for Temperature for Great Lakes Waters of Wisconsin

(All values are expressed as degrees Fahrenheit) - See PDF for table

1 Ta = ambient temperature

2 SL = sub-lethal criteria

3 A = acute criteria

4 Southern Green Bay = waters south of the Brown County line to the Fox River mouth

5 Northern Green Bay = waters north of the Brown County line to the northernmost point on Washington Island

6 Northern Lake Michigan = waters north of the Milwaukee River mouth (downtown Milwaukee)

7 Southern Lake Michigan = waters south of the Milwaukee River mouth (downtown Milwaukee)

8 Lake Superior = waters in Lake Superior except those in Chequamegon Bay

9 Chequamegon Bay = waters within the region enclosed by Chequamegon Point and a straight line west to the mainland

History: CR 07-111 : cr. Register September 2010 No. 657 , eff. 10-1-10.