Bad Axe River, Bad Axe River Watershed (BL02)
Bad Axe River, Bad Axe River Watershed (BL02)
Bad Axe River (1639300)
4.26 Miles
0 - 4.26
Cool-Warm Mainstem
2020
Poor
 
This river is impaired
Impairment Unknown
Total Phosphorus
 

Overview

The Bad Axe River, located in southwestern Vernon County, flows in a westerly direction for approximately five miles before reaching the Mississippi River south of Genoa. The lower end of the Bad Axe River flows through the Upper Mississippi National Wildlife Refuge and the Genoa National Fish Hatchery. It has a slight gradient of less than 20 feet per mile and drains steep forests, agricultural land, and lowland pasture. Approximately 370 acres of wetland adjoin the lower end of the Bad Axe River near the Mississippi River. The Bad Axe River is not a classified trout stream, but contains warm water sport fish.

The most recent survey, completed in 1960, documented a 60 foot wide river averaging over four feet deep. Low mud flats, steep eroding banks and forested bank cover were observed. The fish found in the Bad Axe River were all species common to the Mississippi River such as northern pike, sauger, largemouth bass, white crappie, black crappie, freshwater drum, mooneye and northern redhorse. A fishery survey should be conducted to update the biological information available for the Bad Axe River. No WDNR stocking records exist for the Bad Axe River. Access to the river is from three road crossings and the Upper Mississippi River National Fish and Wildlife Refuge.

From: Koperski, Cindy. 2002. The State of the Bad Axe - La Crosse Basin. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI

Date  2002

Author  Cynthia Koperski

Historical Description

Bad Axe River. T21N. R7W. Section 160 Surface Acres = 32.9. Miles = 4.6. Gradient = less than 20 feet
per mile.
This hard water stream flows in a westerly direction and joins the Mississippi River about two and three-quarter miles north of Victory. At the time of survey, the water was turbid. Sauger, northern pike, largemouth bass, white crappie, black crappie, mooneye, freshwater drum (sheepshead), redhorse, gizzard shad, white sucker, carp, and numerous small minnow species comprise the fishery. Sand is the dominant bottom type, with some silt and small amounts of detritus, clay, gravel, and rubble. The lower end of the stream flows through the Upper Mississippi National Wildlife Refuge, and the Genoa National Fish Hatchery has land bordering the stream. Three roads cross the stream. There are about 371 acres of adjoining wetlands. Wildlife includes muskrat, beaver, nesting mallards, teal, and wood ducks, and considerable numbers of migrant puddle and diving ducks.

From: Klick, Thomas A. and Threinen, C.W. 1973. Lake and Stream Classification Project. Surface Water Resources of Vernon County, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.

Date  1973

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 warm waterdependent sport fishery. Representative aquatic life communities associated with these waters generally require cool or warm temperatures and concentrations of dissolved oxygen that do not drop below 5 mg/L.
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.
Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.