La Crosse River, Little La Crosse River Watershed (BL05)
La Crosse River, Little La Crosse River Watershed (BL05)
La Crosse River (1650200)
9.60 Miles
19.70 - 29.30
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.
Warm Mainstem, Cool-Cold Mainstem, Macroinvertebrate, 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.
1981
Poor
 
This river is impaired
Impairment Unknown
Total Phosphorus
 
La Crosse
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.
No
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.
No
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.
Yes

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.
Restricted Aquatic Life
Fish and Aquatic Life communities are not fully supported in this ecosystem.
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.
Default FAL
Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.
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.
Default FAL
Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.

Overview

Approximately 23 miles of the La Crosse River flows through the heart of the Little La Crosse River Watershed. All streams in the Little La Crosse River Watershed ultimately drain to this middle portion of the La Crosse River. Many acres of wetland are found adjacent to the La Crosse. The uppermost 17.9 miles of the La Crosse River down to the dam at Perch Lake in Sparta flow through the Upper La Crosse River Watershed. The river originates just east of the Fort McCoy eastern border.

Date  2011

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Overview

The La Crosse River flows in a southwesterly direction for approximately 64 miles through Monroe and La Crosse Counties before reaching the Mississippi River at Riverside Park in the City of La Crosse. The river drains approximately 500 square miles of forested and agricultural land. Five dams on the La Crosse River create Lake Neshonoc in West Salem, Perch Lake in Sparta, Angelo Pond in the Town of Angelo, and Alderwood Lake and Hazel Dell Pond both of which lie within the Fort McCoy Military Reservation. All five impoundments are used for recreational purposes; however, the dams at Lake Neshonoc and Perch Lake also generate hydroelectric power.

The La Crosse River is classified as a warmwater sport fishery from its mouth upstream to Rockland. The river then gradually becomes colder and is capable of holding trout. From Rockland upstream to the confluence of Squaw Creek in Fort McCoy, the La Crosse River is a Class II trout stream. Upstream of Squaw Creek, the river is considered Class I.

Date  2002

Author   Aquatic Biologist

La Crosse River, Little La Crosse River Watershed (BL05) Fish and Aquatic LifeLa Crosse River, Little La Crosse River Watershed (BL05) RecreationLa Crosse River, Little La Crosse River Watershed (BL05) Fish Consumption

Impaired Waters

La Crosse River, from its mouth to Neshonoc Lake (miles 0 to 17.84), was evaluated every two-year cycle from 2012 to 2022; phosphorus was found to be too high in the 2012 cycle and this was confirmed in subsequent assessments. Chloride, bug, and fish data indicated good conditions.

La Crosse River, from Neshonoc Lake to Fish Creek (miles 19.7 to 29.3), was evaluated every two-year cycle from 2012 to 2018; phosphorus was found to be too high in the 2012 cycle and this was confirmed in subsequent assessments. Biology and chloride data showed no additional impairments.

La Crosse River, from Fish Creek to Perch Lake (miles 29.3 to 40.19), was evaluated for phosphorus and biology every two years from 2012 to 2018. In 2018 chloride was also evaluated. Phosphorus levels were found to be too high for healthy plant, bug, and fish communities, though fish were found to be in good condition.

La Crosse River, from Perch Lake to Anglo Pond (miles 40.75 to 43.23), has not been evaluated for water quality.

La Crosse River, from Angelo Pond to Suukjak Sep Creek (miles 43.94 to 49.72), was evaluated in 2014 and phosphorus showed no impairment.

La Crosse River, from Suukjak Sep Creek to headwaters (miles 49.72 to 61.94), was evaluated in 2014 for phosphorus and for biology in 2018; neither showed no impairment.

Date  2022

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

Recommendations

Monitor or Propose 303(d) Listing
La Crosse proposes to monitor one lake (impoundment) in 2012 that is currently on the 303d list. Data collection will include collecting Total Phosphorus (TP) and Chlorophyll a (Chl a) samples and documenting the vertical dissolved oxygen and temperature profiles. The monitoring activites are proposed for Lake Neshonoc located in La Crosse County.
Sewer Service Area Planning
The La Crosse Sewer Service Area Water Quality Management Plan 2013 - 2035 ("the Sewer Service Area Plan") is an update to the La Crosse Sewer Service Area Water Quality Management Plan 1999- 2020 which was completed in 1999 by the Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission, with input from the Department of Natural Resources, the La Crosse Area Planning Committee and the La Crosse Area Planning Committee's Technical Advisory Committee (TAC).

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

Monitoring Projects

Watershed Characteristics

La Crosse River is located in the Little La Crosse River watershed which is 240.79 miĀ². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (48%), agricultural (25.70%) and a mix of grassland (15.60%) and other uses (10.80%). This watershed has 445.88 stream miles, 114.59 lake acres and 5,439.88 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked High for runoff impacts on streams, Not Ranked for runoff impacts on lakes and Low for runoff impacts on groundwater and therefore has an overall rank of Low. 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

La Crosse River is considered a Warm Mainstem, Cool-Cold Mainstem, Macroinvertebrate, 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.

Warm Mainstem waters are moderate-to-large but still wadeable perennial streams with relatively warm summer temperatures. Coldwater fishes are absent, transitional fishes are common to uncommon, and warm water fishes are abundant to common. Headwater species are common to absent, mainstem species are abundant to common, and river species are common to absent.

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.

More Interactive Maps