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
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.
2015
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

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

Timber Coulee Creek , Coon Creek Watershed (BL03) Fish and Aquatic LifeTimber Coulee Creek , Coon Creek Watershed (BL03) RecreationTimber Coulee Creek , Coon Creek Watershed (BL03) Fish Consumption

General Condition

Timber Coulee Creek was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; new biological (macroinvertebrate and fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scores) 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

General Condition

The massive flooding that occurred in 2007 and 2008 in this watershed caused only minor damage to Timber Coulee Creek itself. The streambank and instream habitat work removed trees and reconnected the creek to its floodplain. These changes allowed the high water to come out of its normal banks without causing erosion. However, damage did occur at many road crossings where debris would pile up and block flood flows.

Macroinvertebrate surveys in the past few years ranged from fair to excellent quality. Excellent values were found at Coon Creek at HWY 61. Generally fair to good values were found at sites throughout the river system.

Date  2011

Author  Lisa Helmuth

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
Comprehensive 2018 River/Stream Water Quality Assessments
Comprehensive 2016 Rivers Stream Assessments
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
1646300Timber Coulee Creek10013680Timber Coulee Cr. St. 6 - 1981 Lower Line FenceMapData
1646300Timber Coulee Creek10022914Timber Coulee Cr Off Of Lars Hill Rd4/18/20071/1/2015MapData
1646300Timber Coulee Creek10033504Timber Coulee Creek at Westby Rod and Gun ClubMapData
1646300Timber Coulee Creek10013683Timber Coulee Cr. St. 5a - 1992 Lars Hill Rd. UpstreamMapData
1646300Timber Coulee Creek10013679Timber Coulee Cr. St. 5 - 1981 1000 Ft. Downstream Of Lars Hill Rd.MapData
1646300Timber Coulee Creek10010628Timber Coulee Creek - 2MapData
1646300Timber Coulee Creek10013682Timber Coulee Cr. St. 8 - 1984 1000 Ft. Downstream Of Junction Of StreamsMapData
1646300Timber Coulee Creek10009099Timber Coulee Creek #6 Lower Fenceline Burke Property1/1/20151/1/2015MapData
1646300Timber Coulee Creek10009100Timber Coulee Creek #7 Cth P Bridge At Golf Course1/1/20151/1/2015MapData
1646300Timber Coulee Creek10015445Timber Coulee 2MapData

Watershed Characteristics

Timber 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

Timber 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.