Vermont Creek, Black Earth Creek Watershed (LW17)
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Vermont Creek, Black Earth Creek Watershed (LW17)
Vermont Creek (1249200)
3.46 Miles
0 - 3.46
Natural Community
Cool-Cold Mainstem, Coldwater
Year Last Monitored
2024
Poor
 
This river is impaired
Degraded Habitat, Impairment Unknown
Total Phosphorus, Sediment/Total Suspended Solids
 
Dane
Trout Water 
Yes
Outstanding or Exceptional 
No
Impaired Water 
Yes

Fish and Aquatic Life

Current Use
Restricted Aquatic Life
Attainable Use
Cold
Designated Use
Cold

Overview

Vermont Creek is 6 miles long and joins the Black Earth Creek just west of the Village of
Black Earth Creek. Many of the banks of creek are lined with wetlands and wet meadows.
The creek has been evaluated as a cold water stream that supports natural reproduction of
brown trout. There are some ponded spring heads on the creek and sections of the creek have
been channelized. Although a cursory habitat evaluation conducted on a headwater section of
the creek during the summer of 2001 found the creek to have good in-stream habitat, habitat
work is needed in the channelized portion of the stream. Erosion and other nonpoint sources
of pollution from the surrounding watershed were noted, but not thought to be major
problems.
Habitat restoration, sediment control, and reduction of nonpoint control would greatly
enhance the water quality and fish habitat of this stream. Habitat improvement work should be
completed in the WDNR owned section of the creek and serve as a pilot project. Access is
available from road crossings and WDNR properties and easements.

From: Ripp, Coreen, Koperski, Cindy and Folstad, Jason. 2002. The State of the Lower Wisconsin River Basin.
PUBL WT-559-2002. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.

Date  2002

Author  Cynthia Koperski

Historical Description

Vermont Creek -T8N, R6E, Sec. 26, Surface acres = 9, Length = 8 miles, Stream order = I, Gradient = 19.2 ft/mile, Base discharge = 6.4 cfs.
Vermont Creek originates in Section 13 of Vermont Township (T7N, R6E) and joins Black Earth Creek at Black Earth. It flows for the most part within a broad, flat valley alongside Hwy. 78. The surroundIng topography is hilly and the land is used for grazing and some row crops. Wet meadows are associated with the creek in some areas. Vermont Creek is sprlng-fed but several of these springs have been impounded (Dane Cty. Reg. Plann. Comm. 1979a). Adjacent lands tend to be overgrazed and some areas of the creek have been ditched, causing problems from agricultural runoff and stream bank
erosion. The water quality remains quite good.
Upper and Lower Vermont Creek are considered Class II and Class III trout streams, respectively. In 1979 and 1980, DNR-owned reaches of the creek in Sections 2 and 13 (Vermont) underwent trout habitat improvement to direct stream flow and control livestock use. Vermont Creek is popular with anglers and is of sufficient size to be navigable. Access is available at four road crossings and through DNR-owned land on the upper part of the creek. Upland hunting is available on a 42-acre DNR-owned parcel in Section 13. Waterfowl also use a sprlng-fed tributary in the same vicinity.
Fish species: brown trout, white sucker. black bullhead, and mottled sculpin.

From: Day, Elizabeth A.; Grzebieniak, Gayle P.; Osterby, Kurt M.; and Brynildson, Clifford L., 1985. Lake and Stream Classification Project. Surface Water Resources of Dane County, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.

Date  1985

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Historical Description

From the mouth to the south line of section 2, T7N R6E (class 3); for 2 miles above section 2 (class 2).

Date  1980

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Natural communities (stream and lake natural communities) represent model results that use predicted flow and temperature based on landscape features and related assumptions. Ranges of flow and temperature associated with specific aquatic life communities (fish, macroinvertebrates) help biologists identify appropriate resource management goals. Wisconsin Natural Communities.
This is the most recent date of monitoring data stored in SWIMS. Additional surveys for fish and habitat may be available subsequent to this date.
Trout Waters are represented by Class I, Class II or Class III waters. These classes have specific ecological characteristics and management actions associated with them. For more information regarding Trout Classifications, see the Fisheries Trout Class Webpages.
Wisconsin has designated many of the state's highest quality waters as Outstanding Resource Waters (ORWs) or Exceptional Resource Waters (ERWs). Waters designated as ORW or ERW are surface waters which provide outstanding recreational opportunities, support valuable fisheries and wildlife habitat, have good water quality, and are not significantly impacted by human activities. ORW and ERW status identifies waters that the State of Wisconsin has determined warrant additional protection from the effects of pollution. These designations are intended to meet federal Clean Water Act obligations requiring Wisconsin to adopt an 'antidegradation' policy that is designed to prevent any lowering of water quality - especially in those waters having significant ecological or cultural value.
A water is polluted or 'impaired' if it does not support full use by humans, wildlife, fish and other aquatic life and it is shown that one or more of the pollutant criteria are not met.
The use the water currently supports. This is not a designation or classification; it is based on the current condition of the water. Information in this column is not designed for, and should not be used for, regulatory purposes.
Fish and Aquatic Life communities are not fully supported in this ecosystem.
The use that the investigator believes the water could achieve through managing "controllable" sources. Beaver dams, hydroelectric dams, low gradient streams, and naturally occurring low flows are generally not considered controllable. The attainable use may be the same as the current use or it may be higher.
Streams capable of supporting a cold water sport fishery, or serving as a spawning area for salmonids and other cold water fish species. Representative aquatic life communities, associated with these waters, generally require cold temperatures and concentrations of dissolved oxygen that remain above 6 mg/L. Since these waters are capable of supporting natural reproduction, a minimum dissolved oxygen concentration of 7 mg/L is required during times of active spawning and support of early life stages of newly-hatched fish.
This is the water classification legally recognized by NR102 and NR104, Wis. Adm. Code. The classification determines water quality criteria and effluent limits. Waters obtain designated uses through classification procedures.
Streams capable of supporting a cold water sport fishery, or serving as a spawning area for salmonids and other cold water fish species. Representative aquatic life communities, associated with these waters, generally require cold temperatures and concentrations of dissolved oxygen that remain above 6 mg/L. Since these waters are capable of supporting natural reproduction, a minimum dissolved oxygen concentration of 7 mg/L is required during times of active spawning and support of early life stages of newly-hatched fish.