Trempealeau River, Upper Trempealeau River,Middle Trempealeau River Watershed (BT02)
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Trempealeau River, Upper Trempealeau River,Middle Trempealeau River Watershed (BT02)
Trempealeau River (1769900)
9.60 Miles
51.72 - 61.32
Natural Community
Macroinvertebrate, Cool-Cold Headwater, Cool-Warm Mainstem, Coldwater
Year Last Monitored
2019
Poor
 
This river is impaired
High Phosphorus Levels
Total Phosphorus
 
Trempealeau
Trout Water 
No
Outstanding or Exceptional 
No
Impaired Water 
Yes

Fish and Aquatic Life

Current Use
Restricted Aquatic Life
Attainable Use
WWSF
Designated Use
Default FAL

Overview

The Trempealeau River is 81 miles long and spans 3 counties. The Trempealeau River is a Class II brook and brown trout fishery for 15 miles above Lake Henry up to the confluence of the North and South branches, which includes the 11 mile stretch from CTH P near Taylor to Highway 95 in Hixton. Downstream from Lake Blair to CTH P near Taylor is a Class III trout water.

Date  2019

Author  Camille Bruhn

Historical Description

The Class II trout fishery was limited by NPS pollution associated with the agricultural land use of the watershed and the Badger Silica Mining operation. The section of the river downstream of Jonah Coulee Creek received high amounts of sediment in runoff from Badger Silica Mining.

Date  1991

Author  Camille Bruhn

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.
Fish and Aquatic Life communities are not fully supported in this ecosystem.
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 capable of supporting a warm waterdependent sport fishery. Representative aquatic life communities associated with these waters generally require cool or warm temperatures and concentrations of dissolved oxygen that do not drop below 5 mg/L.
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.