By GEORGE ROGERS
of The Gazette
A two-year water quality study has shown the Plover River to be in good shape. To keep it that way, the study report says, "efforts should be made to protect the watershed and river corridor."
"Overall, the Plover River has good water quality when compared with other rivers located in Central Wisconsin," said the report. "This is likely due to the fact that the river is well buffered through most of the system, most natural wetlands still exist, and development is not very intense (except for the lower end)."
Stevens Point's water comes from wells near the Plover River, not directly from the Plover itself. But when the pumps are turned on the flow of ground water is reversed and water is drawn out of the river and into the wells. "Therefore, it is essential that Portage County work to protect the Plover River," said the report.
Water sampling for the study was done by the Marathon and Portage County Land Conservation Departments. The Environmental Task Force Lab at UW-Stevens Point did the testing.
The report was compiled by Nancy Turyk and Byron Shaw of the UW-SP faculty and Adam Freihoefer, a senior student.
Funding came from a Department of Natural Resources grant secured by the Golden Sands Resource Conservation & Development Council, plus donations from the Community Foundation of Portage County, the Bill Cook Chapter of the Izaak Walton League, the Portage County Wildlife Club and the Stevens Point Water and Sewage Departments.
Samples were taken year-around under different flow conditions over the whole length of the river, which begins below Antigo and empties into the Wisconsin River in Whiting. Tributaries were also tested.
The lab analyzed the samples for nitrate, ammonium, chloride, pesticides, fecal coliform and other contaminants.
The river is 42 miles long and, the report said, the stream and its watershed are used for swimming, fishing, canoeing, cross country skiing, hiking "and relaxation through its aesthetic beauty."
The watershed is divided into four distinct segments. The headwaters are primarily wooded with little development. The next segment downstream has "lower impact agriculture" such as hay and grazing, with more row crops below that. Urban influences are felt at the lower end, where the river flows through Stevens Point and Whiting.
DNR fisheries biologists Mark Hazuga and Alan Hauber of the DNR, Wausau, reported that water temperatures on the Plover upstream from Hatley were adequate for trout reproduction and survival. Downstream, where temperatures were higher, they said trout density was inconsistent and were best where springs lowered water temperatures.
Upstream from Hatley, the biologists said, the Plover has benefited from stream improvement work. Trout Unlimited has been active in that area. Habitat work below Hatley, they said, will narrow and deepen the stream, provide more cover and reduce the warming effect of sunlight on the water.
Never before had the Plover undergone a comprehensive sampling from its headwaters to its mouth. The information gathered, said the lab, can be used by agencies and landowners to better protect the stream for future generations.
A protection effort is under way by the Plover River Alliance, which hopes to acquire conservation easements to keep development back from the banks, using local money and state Stewardship funds.