Trimbelle River, Trimbelle River and Isabelle Creek Watershed (LC23)
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Trimbelle River, Trimbelle River and Isabelle Creek Watershed (LC23)
Trimbelle River (2447000)
6 Miles
14 - 20
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, Coldwater
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
 
Pierce
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

The headwaters of Trimbelle River originate near Martell in Pierce County and flow for 25 miles before discharging into the Mississppi at the Trenton Slough. From a mile and a half above the mouth of the river to its headwaters Trimbelle River is considered an Exceptional Resource Water (ERW) and a Class II Trout water, as well.

Date  2011

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Trimbelle River, Trimbelle River and Isabelle Creek Watershed (LC23) Fish and Aquatic LifeTrimbelle River, Trimbelle River and Isabelle Creek Watershed (LC23) RecreationTrimbelle River, Trimbelle River and Isabelle Creek Watershed (LC23) Fish Consumption

General Condition

The entirety of the Trimbelle River is classified as an Exceptional Resource Water and a Class II Trout water. This water was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle. The portion from the mouth to Little Trimbelle Creek was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; new total phosphorus and biological (macroinvertebrate Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scores) sample data were clearly below 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Fish and Aquatic Life use. The portions from Little Trimbelle Creek to to CTH W was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; new temperature sample data were clearly below the 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Fish and Aquatic Life use. This water was meeting this designated use and was not considered impaired.

Date  2017

Author  Ashley Beranek

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 Total Phosphorus Monitoring Report - Trimbelle River - alongside CTH O in SE SW S17
2018 List of Healthy (Category 2) Waters
Comprehensive 2018 River/Stream Water Quality Assessments
Comprehensive 2016 Rivers Stream Assessments
Trimble River and Isabelle Creek Watershed Plan 2011 (LC23)

Recommendations

Rivers Planning Grant
The Kiap-TU-Wish Chapter of Trout Unlimited proposes to partner toward the restoration of 1-808 feet of stream bank on both banks of the Trimbelle River in Pierce County. Grant funding to go toward materials costs including rock- LUNKER structures and plant material. Other elements of the project to include: a) equipment use- b) professional and donated labor associated with shoreline restructuring and installation of in-stream and shoreline practices.
Rivers Planning Grant
The Kiap-TU-Wish Chapter of Trout Unlimited proposes to partner toward the restoration of 1,808 feet of stream bank on both banks of the Trimbelle River in Pierce County. Grant funding to go toward materials costs including rock, LUNKER structures and plant material. Other elements of the project to include: a) equipment use, b) professional and donated labor associated with shoreline restructuring and installation of in-stream and shoreline practices.
Restore Riparian Habitat
The Kiap-TU-Wish Chapter of Trout Unlimited proposes to partner toward the restoration of 4,392 feet of stream bank on both banks of an approximately 1/4 mile stretch of the Trimbelle River in Pierce County. Grant funding to go toward materials costs including rock, LUNKER structures and plant material. Other elements of the project to include: a) equipment use, b) professional and donated labor associated with shoreline restructuring and installation of in-stream and shoreline practices.
Rivers Management Grant
The Kiap-TU-Wish Chapter of Trout Unlimited proposes to partner toward the restoration of 4-392 feet of stream bank on both banks of an approximately 1/4 mile stretch of the Trimbelle River in Pierce County. Grant funding to go toward materials costs including rock- LUNKER structures and plant material. Other elements of the project to include: a) equipment use- b) professional and donated labor associated with shoreline restructuring and installation of in-stream and shoreline practices. Amended: Nov. 1- 2013 to allow use of this project's funding to be applied to restoration of the immediate downstream portion of the Trimbelle River that is the subject of River Management Grant RM-058-14- Trimbelle Restore 2.
Runoff Grant
The nonpoint source priority watershed selection committee should consider the Trimbelle River and Isabelle Creek Watershed a high priority for selection as a priority watershed project under the Wisconsin Nonpoint Source Water Pollution Abatement Program.

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
TROUT UNLIMITED-KIAP-TU-WISH CHAPTER: Trimbelle Restore2012
TROUT UNLIMITED-KIAP-TU-WISH CHAPTER: Trimbelle Restore 22013
Fish Propagation Actions2001

Monitoring Projects

WBICOfficial Waterbody NameStation IDStation NameEarliest Fieldwork DateLatest Fieldwork DateView StationView Data
2447000Trimbelle River483044Trimbelle River at Lovers Lane7/5/19901/1/2015MapData
2447000Trimbelle River10011528Trimbelle River - 14-Trimbelle River. 50' Upstream Of 650th Ave. BridgeMapData
2447000Trimbelle River10044470Trimbelle River - Harsdorff Farm in NWSW S35MapData
2447000Trimbelle River10044463Trimbelle River - Danny Thom property lineMapData
2447000Trimbelle River10011527Trimbelle River - 13-Trimbelle River. 50' U.S. Of 640th Bridge5/17/20198/10/2024MapData
2447000Trimbelle River10011525Trimbelle River - 11-Trimbelle River. 50' U.S. Of 570th Ave. BridgeMapData
2447000Trimbelle River10011526Trimbelle River 12- 50' U.S. Of 870th St.MapData

Watershed Characteristics

Trimbelle River is located in the Trimbelle River and Isabelle Creek watershed which is 221.40 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (40.70%), forest (26.30%) and a mix of grassland (22.90%) and other uses (10.10%). This watershed has 467.20 stream miles, 1,912.55 lake acres and 3,854.20 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked High for runoff impacts on streams, Not Ranked for runoff impacts on lakes and High for runoff impacts on groundwater and therefore has an overall rank of High. This value can be used in ranking the watershed or individual waterbodies for grant funding under state and county programs.However, all waters are affected by diffuse pollutant sources regardless of initial water quality. Applications for specific runoff projects under state or county grant programs may be pursued. For more information, go to surface water program grants.

Natural Community

Trimbelle River is considered a Cool-Cold Mainstem, Coldwater 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.