Halfway Creek, Lower Black River Watershed (BR01)
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Halfway Creek, Lower Black River Watershed (BR01)
Halfway Creek (1676000)
5.15 Miles
0 - 5.15
Natural Community
Coldwater
Year Last Monitored
2021
Good
 
La Crosse
Trout Water 
No
Outstanding or Exceptional 
No
Impaired Water 
No

Fish and Aquatic Life

Current Use
Supported Aquatic Life
Attainable Use
Default FAL
Designated Use
Default FAL

Overview

Fishery Survey 1975 - Documented trout upstream of CTH DH which confirms its Class III classification. An updated classification from Class III to Class II for the upper 1.5 miles of Halfway Creek was recommended as a result of this survey.

Hydraulic and Sedimentation Study of Halfway Creek and Sand Lake Coulee Creek. Town of Onalaska, WI. November 1995, Vierbicher Associates Inc. EDA Project No: 06-06-61051. - Documented a substantial sediment load to Halfway Creek which originate in the lands that drain to Halfway Creek.

Date  2002

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Overview

Halfway Creek, which flows through Holmen, is a twelve mile stream with portions classified as a Class II and III trout stream and a warm water sport fishery. Tremendous siltation from streambank pasturing has decreased in-stream habitat for fish and aquatic insects. Delivery of sediment from several tributaries also contributes to habitat problems seen in Halfway Creek. Streambank pasturing of livestock, barnyard runoff and cropland erosion are documented problems along Halfway Creek and its tributaries (Masterson). The stream has the potential to improve to Class I and II trout and extend the areas inhabited by trout water an additional two miles (Talley). The aquatic insect community above Holmen indicated very good to excellent water quality; however, excessive fecal contamination, suspended solids, and nutrients were also recorded (Masterson). Urbanization of the lower portion of this stream also contributes problems to Halfway Creek in the form of increased stormwater runoff volume and sedimentation from construction sites not secured with erosion control measures.

A cause of increased flood frequencies in the lower portions of Halfway Creek was linked to sediment loading throughout the 36 square mile Halfway Creek watershed. An estimated sediment load of 50,170 tons per year, or 1,400 tons/sq. mile/year, reaches Halfway Creek (Vierbicher). A portion of that sediment load is transported downstream. As the stream gradient decreases near the Mississippi River, movement of this sediment slows and accumulates in the stream channel, causing the stream to become wide and shallow, which leads to lower flood thresholds.
The Holmen wastewater treatment plant discharges to Halfway Creek. Adjustments in plant operation should be made that contribute to frequent treatment plant upsets. During the facility planning process, the community of Holmen should examine regionalized sewerage treatment with the City of LaCrosse as a potentially cost effective option (Cameron).
Metallics, Inc. discharges process wastewater to Halfway Creek. A study to determine water quality below the discharge in Halfway Creek was conducted in 1996. Continuous monitoring equipment measured a number of water quality parameters. No measurable impact to Halfway Creek with regard to temperature, dissolved oxygen or pH were documented (Sullivan and others).

From: Koperksi, Cindy. 1999. Black River Water Quality Management Plan (draft). Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.

Date  1999

Author  Cynthia Koperski

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.
Waters that support fish and aquatic life communities (healthy biological communities).
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.
Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.
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.