Project Detail

Coon Creek (BL03) Watershed Planning

Purpose

Watershed plan update 2011. The Coon Creek Watershed, located in west central Vernon, outhwest Monroe, and southern La Crosse counties, covers 238 square miles and includes all streams that drain to Coon Creek as well as the following Mississippi River tributaries: Chipmunk Coulee Creek, Mormon Coulee Creek, Creek 16-6 and Creek 29-1. Th is watershed contains more than 136 miles of classifi ed trout streams, the majority of which contain self-sustaining trout populations.

The Coon Creek Watershed contains steep, wooded hills with farming activities in both the valleys and ridge tops. Streams in the Coon Creek Watershed characteristically contain clear, cold, spring-fed water with gravel and rubble bottoms in their upper reaches changing to predominantly sand bottoms further downstream.

Numerous streams in the watershed contain both natural and restored overhead cover for trout and are accessible for fi shing through public easements. Beginning in the 1980’s, a coordinated eff ort in the watershed of purchase of public streambank easements, restoration of in-stream cover for trout, streambank stabilization, and stocking of wild brook and brown trout has culminated in the Coon Creek Watershed being called the "Montana of the Midwest". License plates from around the country can be routinely found parked along the roads of the watershed, their owners fi shing for trout along the nearby streams.

Study Design

Watershed specified for planning and assessment purposes. Assessment of water quality condition in this respective county will use protocols described in WisCALM of the year of assessment. Minimum assessment work includes biological data (macroinvertebrates, fish indices), chemistry and habitat data. Additional work includes identification of priorities and goals, creating recommendations for actions, and updating narratives for watersheds and waterbodies. Assessments are to be double checked by at least one additional biologist.

Project Type

Water Quality Planning

Project Sub Type

Targeted Watershed Plans

Project ID

BL03_WTPLAN

Year Started

2010

Status

Complete

Reports and Documents

Angell sorting macroinvertebrates by Dave Niemi BL03 WAV Program Photo

Buckner at 7th by Pat Johnson WAV Program Photo CW06

CW06_Buckner at 7th by Pat Johnson

Timber Coulee Creek Region by Claire Bleser BL03 WAV Program 2017

Timber coulee Creek 2 by Claire Bleser BL03 WAV Photo

Timber Coulee Creek 1 by Claire Bleser BL03 WAV Photo

Sampling for macroinvertebrates by Dave Niemi BL03 Photo

BL03 Assessment Package

Assessment Results

Coon Creek WT 2011 Trout Streams

Coon Creek WT 2011 Potentially Restorable Wetlands

Coon Creek WT 2011 OERW & Impaired Waters

Coon Creek 2011 Land Use Map

Coon Creek 2011 Dams & Outfalls Map

Dams and Outfalls Map

Coon Creek WT 2011 Wetlands Map

Coon Creek Watershed Plan 2011 (BL03)

Assessments information and recommendations for the Coon Creek (BL03) Watershed

Coon Creek Watershed (BL03) WAG

Watershed at a Glance

Coon Creek Watershed (BL03) Learn More Image

Coon Creek Watershed (BL03) Map

Coon Creek Watershed (BL03) Impaired Waters Map

Coon Creek Watershed (BL03) Ecological Landscapes Map

Coon Creek Watershed (BL03) Goals and Priorities Image

Watershed-At-A-Glance BL03

Coon Creek WT 2011 Map

BL03 Coon Creek Watershed Assessment File

Eliza getting water sample by Dave Niemi BL03 WAV Program Photo

Patrick, Matthew, Breezy & Morgan testing for DO by Dave Niemi BL03 WAV Pr

Child monitoring turbidity by Dave Niemi BL03 WAV Program Photo

Crossing Timber Coulee Creek by Claire Blese rBL03 WAV Program Photo

Courtney, Lizzy, Isaiah Mr. N taking flow measurements by Dave Niemi BL03 WAV Program Photo

Activities & Recommendations

Control Streambank Erosion

The South Fork of the Bad Axe River fishery would benefit from the reduction of streambank erosion.

Habitat Restoration - Instream

The WDNR should continue in-stream habitat restoration in all streams where necessary in Coon Creek Fishery Area streams.

Habitat Restoration - Instream

Chipmunk Coulee Creek would benefit from the acquisition of streambank easements and in-stream habitat restoration. Access is possible from four road crossings and the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge.

Monitor Fish Community

WDNR should conduct a fish and habitat survey of Poplar Creek to document existing conditions.

Monitor Fish Community

WDNR should conduct surveys of Spring Coulee Creek (Creek 16-6) and Hohlfield Creek (Creek 20-16) to determine success of wild brook trout stocking.

Monitor Fish Community

WDNR should conduct surveys of Spring Coulee Creek (Creek 16-6) and Hohlfield Creek (Creek 20-16) to determine success of wild brook trout stocking.

Monitor Fish Community

The WDNR should survey Mormon Coulee Creek in the near future to determine if the introduction of wild brown trout develops into a self sustaining population.

Monitor Fish Community

WDNR should conduct a fish and habitat survey of Wing Hollow Creek to document existing conditions.

Monitor Fish Community

WDNR should conduct a fish and habitat survey of Hasley Creek to document existing conditions.

Grant Awarded

The Coulee Region Chapter of Trout Unlimited proposes to restore 1000 feet of streambank along Mormon Creek in the Town of Greenfield in La Crosse County. Major project elements to include: 1) reshaping and stabalization of streambanks, 2) dredging of silted-in pools, 3) placement of lunker structures.

Monitor Watershed (Status,Sources,Impairments)

Grant awarded, monitoring conducted, streambank erosion control implemented, planning and assessments.

Monitor and/or Protect Groundwater, Sourcewater

WDNR staff should continue to encourage communities to develop wellhead protection plans in the Watershed and the whole basin.

Monitor or Assess Watershed Condition

IR Assessments and WT Planning Conducted in 2010-11

Water Quality Planning

Watershed Planning was conducted in 2011 and the plan published online of that year.

Watershed

O'Neill and Cunningham Creeks

Black and Little Black Rivers

Middle Trempealeau River