Kickapoo River, Upper Kickapoo River Watershed (LW06)
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Kickapoo River, Upper Kickapoo River Watershed (LW06)
Kickapoo River (1182400)
3.02 Miles
112.26 - 115.28
Natural Community
Cool-Cold Mainstem
Year Last Monitored
2015
Unknown
 
Monroe
Trout Water 
No
Outstanding or Exceptional 
No
Impaired Water 
No

Fish and Aquatic Life

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

Overview

Of all the tributaries to the Wisconsin River, the Kickapoo River is the longest. It begins in south central Monroe County and flows in a southerly direction for 130 miles through Vernon, Richland and Crawford Counties before reaching the Wisconsin River near the Village of Wauzeka. The Kickapoo River lies within a 768-square mile drainage basin in southwest Wisconsin. The entire basin is within the Driftless Area, the portion of the State not flattened by glaciers. Approximately 46% of the basin contains slopes of 15% or greater and another 23% of the basin contains lands with slopes between 8 and 15%.

The name Kickapoo is an Algonquin word meaning "one who goes here, then there" and accurately describes the Kickapoo River which flows in all directions of the compass for portions of its length. The Kickapoo River falls toward the Wisconsin River at an average rate of 5.9 feet per mile; however, the river is relatively steep in Monroe County with a gradient of 22.7 feet per mile compared to the much more gradual 3 feet per mile in Vernon, Richland and Crawford Counties. The meandering character of this river across its floodplain is the result of the relatively flat gradient. As the crow flies, the Kickapoo River extends approximately 60 miles from headwater to mouth, but the river flows for 130 miles, more than double that length.

Eight communities discharge treated wastewater to the Kickapoo River: Gays Mills, La Farge, Ontario, Readstown, Soldiers Grove, Viola, Wauzeka, and Wilton. The 2000 population of these communities range from 395 in Readstown to 768 in Wauzeka with an average of 610 people. Each facility has been issued a WPDES permit by the Wisconsin DNR to discharge treated wastewater to the river.

The Kickapoo River drains 768 square miles of land dominated by agricultural activity (44%). Forests comprise approximately 41% of the basin. Wetlands make up a very small portion of the basin (nearly 2%) and are primarily found adjacent to the Kickapoo River within its extensive floodplain.

Fishery surveys of the Kickapoo River have been conducted numerous times over the years; however, due to the length of river, it has not been surveyed in its entirety within any one year. Survey years include 1959, 1962, 1969, 1970, 1973, 1993, 1999 and 2000. Upstream of Ontario, a 1993 survey documented a diverse forage fishery with some stocked brook and brown trout. Surveys conducted in 1999 and 2000 between Ontario and Gays Mills documented a total of 46 species, including an abundance of brown trout. Consequently, 60.4 miles of the Kickapoo River between Ontario and Gays Mills were recently classified as a Class II trout stream. Trout use this section of river for food and shelter, but likely spawn in tributary streams. The portion of the river below Gays Mills contains a diverse forage fishery as well as a more diverse sport fishery which includes walleye, sauger, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, northern pike, channel catfish, bluegill and pumpkinseed. Streambank erosion is a common sight throughout the Kickapoo River. Much of this erosion is not from current land management practices, but rather from severe sedimentation of the valley floor from poor land use management over much of the last century.

From: Ripp, Coreen, Koperski, Cindy and Folstad, Jason. 2002. The State of the Lower Wisconsin River Basin. PUBL WT-559-2002. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.

Date  2002

Author  Cynthia Koperski

Historical Description

This reach of the Kickapoo River is a large river flowing through a narrow valley. The most significant water quality problem is mercury concentrations in fish tissue. A fish consumption advisory exists for northern pike and walleye 30-inches-long and under. The source(s) and extent of the problem is unknown.

Water chemistry monitoring conducted at Steuben, Wisconsin from 1977 through 1987 indicated nonpoint source water pollution had a detrimental impact on water quality. High nutrient and suspended solids concentrations were found on several sampling dates.

The lower Kickapoo River supports a diversity of high quality wetlands which are a scarce resource in southwestern Wisconsin. Nonpoint source water pollution poses a threat to the quality of these wetlands.

Date  1994

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

This hard water stream was turbid at the time of the 1970 survey, but previously collected data indicated clear water. The stream is navigable. It heads in Monroe County, flows in a general southerly direction through Vernon County, through a small corner of Richland County, and through Crawford County . There it joins the Wisconsin River. Locally, that part of the stream above the junction of the West Fork Kickapoo River is known as East Fork Kickapoo River. Although some rainbow and brown trout are present, minnows and other forage species, along with carp, make up the bulk of the fishery. It is probable that warmwater species such as northern pike, largemouth bass, bullhead, pumpkinseed, bluegill, and crappie are also present. Sand and silt are tile dominant bottom types, with some rubble, boulders, and gravel.

A portion of the stream f1ows through Wilddcat Mountain State Park. Other developments along the stream include a dam at La Farge, a trailer court, picnic site, municipal parks, and a campground. Many road crossings and a developed canoe landing at Ontario provide access. A flood control dam near La Farge is in the development stage; the Corps of Engineers is in charge of the project. It is estimated that this project will cost 20 million dollars. It involves 10,000 acres of land and includes a 1,780-acre impoundment surrounded by 15 different recreational sites totaling 1,500 acres. The State will maintain recreational areas created by the construction of the dam. There are about 48 acres of adjoining wetland along the river. t1uskrat are significant and beaver are present. Ma11ard, teal. and wood duck broods may be observed along the stream, and a number of migrant puddle and diving ducks use the water.

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

Date  1973

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

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.
Waters that support fish and aquatic life communities (healthy biological communities).
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.