Watersheds_Content Page_Upper Chippewa River Basin

Upper Chippewa River Basin

The Upper Chippewa basin is located in west-central and northwestern Wisconsin. The mainstem Chippewa River is formed by the confluence of the West Fork Chippewa River (rising from the 14,500 acre Chippewa Lake, southeastern Bayfield County) and East Fork Chippewa River (rising from the wetlands of the town of Knight in Iron County).

Despite its proximity to Lake Superior, the Chippewa basin feeds the Mississippi and was once navigable for 50 miles upstream from the Mississippi by Durand, flowing northeast to Eau Claire.

Hydrologically, the Upper Chippewa basin is divided from the Lower Chippewa basin for management purposes, includes portions of Iron, Ashland, Sawyer, Rusk, Price, Vilas, Chippewa and Taylor counties. The area is actually managed by Upper Chippewa basin staff, however, includes additional portions of Taylor, Rusk, Barron, Sawyer and Washburn counties. Over 3,000 stream and river miles flow through the basin and with 156,200 acres of freshwater lakes, 22,711 acres of flowages and more than 150 acres of freshwater springs.

Today the river provides significant habitat, recreation, navigation and is a significant resource for northwest Wisconsin people. Over 40 lakes in the basin host confirmed stands of Wild Rice, a critical natural resource protected by state and tribal governments. Sport fisheries including musky, walleye, smallmouth bass and more are found throughout the water-rich region. Many projects and management activities have been or are planned for the region.

Water Resource Information For Specific Watersheds

Watershed Name/View Details Watershed Size Lists (Streams, Lakes, Bays & Harbors) Counties Water Management Unit (WMU) Major Drainage System
Bear River 145.45 mi 2 UC15 Water lists Iron, Oneida, Vilas Upper Chippewa Mississippi River
Butternut Creek 77.66 mi 2 UC12 Water lists Ashland, Price Upper Chippewa Mississippi River
Couderay River 212.25 mi 2 UC20 Water lists Sawyer, Washburn Upper Chippewa Mississippi River
Deer Tail Creek 63.02 mi 2 UC06 Water lists Rusk Upper Chippewa Mississippi River
East Fork Chippewa River 305.16 mi 2 UC21 Water lists Ashland, Iron, Sawyer Upper Chippewa Mississippi River
Elk River 261.12 mi 2 UC09 Water lists Price Upper Chippewa Mississippi River
Flambeau Flowage 247.18 mi 2 UC14 Water lists Iron, Price, Vilas Upper Chippewa Mississippi River
Holcombe Flowage 170.38 mi 2 UC01 Water lists Rusk, Chippewa Upper Chippewa Mississippi River
Lake Chippewa 182.9 mi 2 UC22 Water lists Bayfield, Sawyer Upper Chippewa Mississippi River
Lower Flambeau River 128.62 mi 2 UC07 Water lists Rusk, Sawyer Upper Chippewa Mississippi River
Lower Jump River 135.71 mi 2 UC02 Water lists Price, Rusk, Taylor, Chippewa Upper Chippewa Mississippi River
Lower North Fork Flambeau River 153.97 mi 2 UC11 Water lists Ashland, Price, Sawyer Upper Chippewa Mississippi River
Lower South Fork Flambeau River 200.15 mi 2 UC08 Water lists Price, Rusk, Sawyer Upper Chippewa Mississippi River
Main Creek 157.26 mi 2 UC05 Water lists Price, Rusk, Chippewa Upper Chippewa Mississippi River
Manitowish River 268.6 mi 2 UC16 Water lists Iron, Vilas Upper Chippewa Mississippi River
Middle Jump River 229.88 mi 2 UC03 Water lists Price, Rusk, Taylor Upper Chippewa Mississippi River
Soft Maple and Hay Creeks 176.75 mi 2 UC17 Water lists Rusk Upper Chippewa Mississippi River
Thornapple River 229.97 mi 2 UC18 Water lists Rusk, Sawyer Upper Chippewa Mississippi River
Upper North Fork Flambeau River 158.21 mi 2 UC13 Water lists Ashland, Iron, Price Upper Chippewa Mississippi River
Upper South Fork Flambeau River 278.98 mi 2 UC10 Water lists Ashland, Iron, Oneida, Price, Vilas Upper Chippewa Mississippi River
Upper South Fork Jump River 322.41 mi 2 UC04 Water lists Price, Taylor Upper Chippewa Mississippi River
Weirgor Creek and Brunet River 324 mi 2 UC19 Water lists Ashland, Rusk, Sawyer Upper Chippewa Mississippi River
West Fork Chippewa River 284.78 mi 2 UC23 Water lists Ashland, Bayfield, Sawyer Upper Chippewa Mississippi River

Upper Chippewa Fishery Management Plans