Spring Coulee Creek, Coon Creek Watershed (BL03)
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Spring Coulee Creek, Coon Creek Watershed (BL03)
Spring Coulee Creek (1646100)
9.05 Miles
0 - 9.05
Natural Community
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.
Cool-Cold Mainstem, Cool-Cold Headwater
Year Last Monitored
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.
2024
Good
 
Vernon
Trout Water 
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.
Yes
Outstanding or Exceptional 
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.
Yes
Impaired Water 
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.
No

Fish and Aquatic Life

Current Use
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.
Supported Aquatic Life
Waters that support fish and aquatic life communities (healthy biological communities).
Attainable Use
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.
Cold (Class I Trout)
Streams supporting a cold water sport fishery, or serving as a spawning area for salmonids and other cold water fish species through natural reproduction. 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.
Designated Use
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.
Cold
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.

Overview

Spring Coulee Creek, located in northern Vernon County, flows in a northwesterly direction for six miles before reaching Coon Creek northeast of Coon Valley. It has a moderate gradient of 45 feet per mile and drains steep forested hills and agricultural valley land. Spring Coulee Creek is a Class I trout stream and designated as an Outstanding Resource Water for its entire length.

Date  2011

Author  Cynthia Koperski

Historical Description

Flowing in a northwesterly direction, this clear, hard water stream joins Coon Creek at the northern outskirts of Coon Valley. It is a Class II brown trout stream. Forage fish are abundant, including white sucker, creek chub, central stoneroller and blacknose dace. Scattered open water areas were noted in the lower half of the stream during the winter aerial groundwater survey. A sand bottom dominates, but there is considerable rubble present, as well as a little gravel, silt, hardpan, and bedrock in that order of abundance. The stream banks are badly eroded. There is access from four
road crossings. Beaver are present, and muskrat are significant. Teal and wood duck broods may be noted, and some use of the stream is made by migrant puddle ducks. Spring Coulee Creek, T14N, R5W, Section 5. Surface Acres = 8.0, Miles = 6.0, Gradient = 45.4 feet per mile

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

The most recent habitat survey, conducted in 1974, found cool, clear water that carried a low suspended silt load. The streambed consisted of rubble, sand, silt and lesser amounts of gravel, boulder and detritus. Bank cover consisted of shrub marsh, pasture, upland hardwood, swamp hardwood, row crops and open marsh. In-stream cover was common and consisted of rocks, boulders, undercut banks, LUNKER structures, aquatic vegetation and an occasional log. A fair number of deep holes with good cover were also present. Fishery surveys conducted in the 1980's documented naturally reproducing brook and brown trout populations as well as a wide variety of forage fish species. Spring Coulee Creek was stocked from 1960 to 1986 with brown trout. Between 1986 and 1990, brook trout were stocked. Access to the stream is from DNR owned streambank easements, two DNR owned parcels and four bridges.

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

Date  1973

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Spring Coulee Creek, Coon Creek Watershed (BL03) Fish and Aquatic LifeSpring Coulee Creek, Coon Creek Watershed (BL03) RecreationSpring Coulee Creek, Coon Creek Watershed (BL03) Fish Consumption

Condition

Wisconsin has over 84,000 miles of streams, 15,000 lakes and milllions of acres of wetlands. Assessing the condition of this vast amount of water is challenging. The state's water monitoring program uses a media-based, cross-program approach to analyze water condition. An updated monitoring strategy (2015-2020) is now available. Compliance with Clean Water Act fishable, swimmable standards are located in the Executive Summary of Water Condition in 2018. See also the 'monitoring and projects' tab.

Reports

2020 Comprehensive WQ Assessments
2018 List of Healthy (Category 2) Waters
Coon Creek 2011 Dams & Outfalls Map
Coon Creek 2011 Land Use Map
Coon Creek WT 2011 OERW & Impaired Waters
Coon Creek WT 2011 Potentially Restorable Wetlands
Coon Creek WT 2011 Trout Streams
Coon Creek WT 2011 Wetlands Map
Coon Creek Watershed Plan 2011 (BL03)
Coon Creek WT 2011 Map

Management Goals

Wisconsin's Water Quality Standards provide qualitative and quantitative goals for waters that are protective of Fishable, Swimmable conditions [Learn more]. Waters that do not meet water quality standards are considered impaired and restoration actions are planned and carried out until the water is once again fishable and swimmable

Management goals can include creation or implementation of a Total Maximum Daily Load analysis, a Nine Key Element Plan, or other restoration work, education and outreach and more. If specific recommendations exist for this water, they will be displayed below online.

Monitoring

Monitoring the condition of a river, stream, or lake includes gathering physical, chemical, biological, and habitat data. Comprehensive studies often gather all these parameters in great detail, while lighter assessment events will involve sampling physical, chemical and biological data such as macroinvertebrates. Aquatic macroinvertebrates and fish communities integrate watershed or catchment condition, providing great insight into overall ecosystem health. Chemical and habitat parameters tell researchers more about human induced problems including contaminated runoff, point source dischargers, or habitat issues that foster or limit the potential of aquatic communities to thrive in a given area. Wisconsin's Water Monitoring Strategy was recenty updated.

Grants and Management Projects

Project Name (Click for Details)Year Started

Monitoring Projects

WBICOfficial Waterbody NameStation IDStation NameEarliest Fieldwork DateLatest Fieldwork DateView StationView Data
1646100Spring Coulee Creek10022628Spring Coulee - 140m Downstream Cth P1/1/20151/1/2015MapData
1646100Spring Coulee Creek10009109Spring Coulee Creek #4- Farm Rd X-Ing On Paul Kogut PropertyMapData
1646100Spring Coulee Creek633180Spring Coulee - Near Coon Valley WIMapData
1646100Spring Coulee Creek10013738Spring Coulee Sta.2 At Spring Coulee Rd. Us In S105/23/20017/23/2015MapData
1646100Spring Coulee Creek10009107Spring Coulee Creek #2- Bridge On P3/20/201410/8/2024MapData
1646100Spring Coulee Creek10009108Spring Coulee Creek #3- Peterson'S Field Rd.MapData
1646100Spring Coulee Creek10013740Spring Coulee Station 5 - Spring Coulee Rd. Upstream In S14MapData
1646100Spring Coulee Creek10009111Spring Coulee Creek #6- 300 Meters Downstream Srom Spring Coulee Rd.10/9/200110/9/2001MapData
1646100Spring Coulee Creek10009112Spring Coulee Creek #7- Farm Rd Crossing1/1/20151/1/2015MapData
1646100Spring Coulee Creek10009106Spring Coulee Creek #1 Neprude Snowmobile Bridge Crossing10/28/19891/1/2015MapData
1646100Spring Coulee Creek10009110Spring Coulee Creek #5- Moilan Hill Rd. Bridge10/28/19891/1/2015MapData
1646100Spring Coulee Creek10015959Spring Coulee Cr At Burgers - Archie Burgers Driveway Downstreamapprox 40 Feet First Riffle10/22/19894/20/1990MapData
1646100Spring Coulee Creek10022629Spring Coulee - Spring Coulee Rd. (2nd Crossing)1/1/20155/8/2024MapData

Watershed Characteristics

Spring Coulee Creek is located in the Coon Creek watershed which is 238.20 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (44.60%), grassland (21.30%) and a mix of agricultural (16.50%) and other uses (17.60%). This watershed has 574.90 stream miles, 4,342.05 lake acres and 6,052.31 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked High for runoff impacts on streams, Not Ranked for runoff impacts on lakes and Medium for runoff impacts on groundwater and therefore has an overall rank of Medium. This value can be used in ranking the watershed or individual waterbodies for grant funding under state and county programs.This water is ranked Medium Stream for individual Rivers based on runoff problems and the likelihood of success from project implementation.

Natural Community

Spring Coulee Creek is considered a Cool-Cold Mainstem, Cool-Cold Headwater under the state's Natural Community Determinations.

Natural communities (stream and lake natural communities) represent model results and DNR staff valiation processes that confirm or update predicted conditions based on flow and temperature modeling from historic and current landscape features and related variables. Predicated flow and temperatures for waters are associated predicated fish assemblages (communities). Biologists evaluate the model results against current survey data to determine if the modeled results are corect and whether biological indicators show water quaity degradation. This analysis is a core component of the state's resource management framework. Wisconsin's Riverine Natural Communities.

Cool (Cold-Transition) Mainstem streams are moderate-to-large but still wadeable perennial streams with cold to cool summer temperatures. Coldwater fishes are common to uncommon, transitional fishes are abundant to common, and warm water fishes are uncommon to absent. Headwater species are common to absent, mainstem species are abundant to common, and river species are common to absent.

Cool (Cold-Transition) Headwaters are small, usually perennial streams with cold to cool summer temperatures. Coldwater fishes are common to uncommon (<10 per 100 m), transitional fishes are abundant to common, and warm water fishes are uncommon to absent. Headwater species are abundant to common, mainstem species are common to absent, and river species are absent.