2.70 Miles
0 - 2.70
Cool-Cold Headwater
2015
Poor
High Phosphorus Levels, Degraded Habitat
Total Phosphorus, Unknown Pollutant
Eau Claire
Yes
No
Yes
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
This trout stream has a number of sources of polluted runoff that degrade the aquatic habitat. A
1994 stream survey indicated that improvement of the in-stream habitat of Thompson Valley Creek
would benefit the trout by providing cover and increase winter survival of stocked trout (Kurz).
Bush Bros. operates a spray irrigation field on land adjacent to the creek. At similar sites, slime and
iron precipitates have been observed in the streambed due to sub-surface movement of the waste
into the stream. In recognition of past problems, a visual examination of the stream is necessary to
determine if there are signs of excessive loading (LaLiberte 1994)
Date 1996
Author Aquatic Biologist
Impaired Waters
Thompson Valley Creek (WBIC 2131100) from headwaters to second crossing of Hwy R was listed for total phosphorus and elevated water temperature in 2014. This water was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; new biological (fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scores) sample data were clearly below 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Fish and Aquatic Life use. The 2018 assessments showed continued impairment by temperature; new temperature sample data exceeded 2018 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use. Based on the most updated information, no change in the existing impaired waters listing was needed.
Date 2017
Author Ashley Beranek
Impaired Waters
Thompson Valley Creek (2131100) from headwaters to second crossing of Hwy R was assessed during the 2016 listing cycle; temperature data exceeded 2016 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Fish and Aquatic Life use.
Date 2015
Author Aaron Larson
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
Citizen-Based Stream Monitoring
Collect chemical, physical, and/or biological water quality data to assess the current overall stream health. The data can inform management decisions and may be used to identify impaired waters for biennial lists.
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
| WBIC | Official Waterbody Name | Station ID | Station Name | Earliest Fieldwork Date | Latest Fieldwork Date | View Station | View Data |
|---|
| 2131100 | Thompson Valley Creek | 183047 | Thompson Valley Creek - Dairy Maid Coop Augusta | 6/19/1980 | 7/22/1982 | Map | Data |
| 2131100 | Thompson Valley Creek | 183048 | Thompson Valley Creek - Cth R Sec 6+31 | | | Map | Data |
| 2131100 | Thompson Valley Creek | 183046 | Thompson Valley Creek - Ush 12 | | | Map | Data |
| 2131100 | Thompson Valley Creek | 10031842 | Thompson Valley Creek -18 m Upstream STH 12 | | | Map | Data |
| 2131100 | Thompson Valley Creek | 10011400 | Thompson Valley Creek - Thompson Valley Creek 1- Bartig Rd | 10/20/1986 | 6/1/2015 | Map | Data |
| 2131100 | Thompson Valley Creek | 10011392 | Thompson Valley Creek 2- Cth R | 10/17/1986 | 6/1/2015 | Map | Data |
|
Watershed Characteristics
Thompson Valley Creek is located in the Lower Eau Claire River watershed which is 216.31 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (44.70%), agricultural (30%) and a mix of grassland (16.20%) and other uses (9.00%). This watershed has 414.24 stream miles, 937.46 lake acres and 10,770.45 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked Not Available for runoff impacts on streams, Not Available for runoff impacts on lakes and High for runoff impacts on groundwater and therefore has an overall rank of High. 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.
Thompson Valley Creek is considered a 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) 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.