At long last, the Governor has signed into law the bill designating the Totogatic as Wisconsin’s fifth Wild River. The Totogatic joins the Pine, Pike, and Popple in northeastern Wisconsin and the Brunsweiler in Ashland County as the best of our best, to be protected and kept wild for future generations.

In 1965, the Wisconsin “Wild Rivers” designation was established by the legislature to “afford the people of the state an opportunity to enjoy natural streams.” Section 30.26 of the statutes further states that “it is in the interest of the state to preserve some rivers in a free-flowing condition and to protect them from development.”

Washburn County and Washburn County Lakes and Rivers Association, local citizens, the River Alliance of Wisconsin, UW-Extension and Wisconsin DNR have been seeking this designation since 2004. These groups worked very hard researching how to designate a river, and what the designation would mean for local river protection. There were several public meetings in 2005 and 2006, along with letters to legislators to ask for their sponsorship. Finally early this year, Senator Bob Jauch and Representative Nick Milroy introduced legislation in the State Senate and Assembly (respectively). The bills passed committee hearings and floor debates, and Wisconsin Act 32 officially designating the river was signed into law by Governor Doyle on July 10, 2009.

The Totogatic is a wild gem flowing through Bayfield, Sawyer, Washburn, Douglas and Burnett Counties. It provides rich habitat for diverse aquatic and terrestrial species, has excellent water quality, beautiful scenery, and great fishing and paddling opportunities. The free-flowing reaches are now designated wild, with the four flowages (Nelson Lake, Totogatic Flowage, Colton Flowage, and Minong Flowage) excluded. Here is a description of the designated reaches:

- First Reach: From the outlet of Totogatic Lake (located in Bayfield County) to the upstream end of Nelson Lake (located in Sawyer County).
- Second Reach: From a point 500 feet below the dam in the Totogatic Wildlife Area to the upstream end of the Colton Flowage (both located in Washburn County).
- Third Reach: From a point 500 feet below the dam that forms the Colton Flowage to the point where the river crosses the Washburn-Douglas County line immediately above the upstream end of the Minong Flowage.
- Fourth Reach: From the bridge on CTH “I” in Washburn County to the confluence of the river with the Namekagon River in Burnett County.

From the beginning, the goal of this effort has been for all landowners and visitors to work together to keep the river wild. The land ownership includes county forest frontage (some in all 5 counties), commercial forest, private recreational parcels, and a very small amount of state and federally-owned frontage. Wisconsin Administrative Code NR 302 specifies how land and water activities will be managed on Wild Rivers. This law specifies that the landowners along the river need to recognize and protect the wild characteristics. The rule limits grading on the banks to less than 10,000 square feet (the point at which a permit would be needed from the DNR), and prohibits docks, dams, bridges (other than on public roadways), dredging, filling, and removal of natural obstructions.

A special case was written into the Totogatic Wild River bill to allow docks that were placed before the designation to remain, provided they are sized to meet current pier standards. These docks can be repaired and replaced, but not enlarged. New docks will not be allowed, in order to preserve the wild appearance of the river banks. Anyone who had a dock prior to the bill being signed is encouraged to contact Kathy Bartilson at 635-4053.

This is a great accomplishment on the part of local landowners, the counties, Washburn County Lakes and Rivers, and all of the citizens and agencies involved. It is one of the highest levels of stream protection possible under Wisconsin Statutes. With everyone working together, we can keep it not only “Wild by Law” but also “Wild by Example” with good stewardship, care and respect from all who live along it and visit it in years to come.