Timber Coulee Creek , Coon Creek Watershed (BL03)
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Timber Coulee Creek , Coon Creek Watershed (BL03)
Timber Coulee Creek (1646300)
4.66 Miles
6.28 - 10.94
Natural Community
Cool-Cold Mainstem, Cool-Cold Headwater
Year Last Monitored
2015
Good
 
Vernon
Trout Water 
Yes
Outstanding or Exceptional 
Yes
Impaired Water 
No

Fish and Aquatic Life

Current Use
Supported Aquatic Life
Attainable Use
Cold (Class I Trout)
Designated Use
Cold

Overview

Timber Coulee Creek, located in north central Vernon County, flows in a westerly direction for approximately 8.2 miles before reaching Coon Creek northeast of Coon Valley. This stream has a gradient of 40 feet per mile and drains steep forested hillsides and agricultural valley land. Timber Coulee Creek is a Class I trout stream for its entire length. Timber Coulee Creek is also an Outstanding Resource Water in Vernon County.

Date  2011

Author  Cynthia Koperski

Historical Description

Timber Coulee Creek is a clear hard water tributary of Coon Creek flows in a westerly direction. It is managed as a brown trout stream, with a portion of it rated as Class II water and the remainder as Class III. A large variety of forage fish are present, as are brook lampreys. During the winter aerial groundwater survey, scattered open water areas were observed throughout the stream length. Though a rubble bottom type is dominant, there is considerable sand, and small amounts of silt, bedrock, gravel, boulder, and detritus. Access is provided from three road crossings, a county wayside, and from land under State control. There are about three acres of adjoining wetland. Muskrat are significant and beaver are present. Teal and wood duck broods are raised along the stream, and use is made of the water by migrant puddle ducks.

T14N, R5W, Section 4. Surface Acres = 13.9, Miles = 8.2, Gradient = 40.0 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.

Surveys of this stream first began in 1950. Trout were found but bank erosion was severe. In 1966, a P.L.566 flood detention project was installed in the watershed upstream of Timber Coulee Creek to alleviate flooding, but flash flooding still occurred, affecting the survival of trout in the stream. In 1955, the Wisconsin Conservation Department (now the WDNR) initiated a fishery habitat demonstration project along Bohemian Valley, Timber Coulee and Rullands Coulee Creeks. The purpose of this project was to develop and perfect in-stream habitat restoration techniques. This pioneering project resulted in restoration methods that are still used today in coulee region streams. Streambank erosion was reduced and fish cover increased by the installation of large rocks, root masses, log and rock deflectors.

The most recent stream survey, completed in 1999, found cold, clear water that carried a low suspended silt load. The streambed consisted of gravel, silt, rubble, and sand with lesser amounts of boulder, bedrock and detritus. Approximately 60% of in-stream fish cover consisted of LUNKER structures, while the remaining cover types were submergent vegetation, overhanging vegetation, boulders, woody debris, and natural undercut banks. A variety of aquatic insects have been documented through annual sampling. Six different forage fish species were collected in the 1999 survey as well as a fairly large mottled sculpin population, which are usually found only in very cold water. Both brook and brown trout were collected, however brown trout outnumber brook trout approximately 85:1. The brown trout population of Timber Coulee Creek was estimated at approximately 2000 fish per mile in 1999. Brown trout from Timber Coulee are collected on an as needed basis for brood stock to propagate wild brown trout for stocking statewide. These fish are then returned to the stream after the eggs and milt have been acquired.

Date  1973

Author   Aquatic Biologist

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.
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.
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.