Water Detail - Billings Creek, Middle Kickapoo River Watershed (LW05)

Billings Creek, Middle Kickapoo River Watershed (LW05)

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Billings Creek (1196900)

Size

15.20 Miles

Segment

0 - 15.20

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.

2024

General Condition

Poor

This river is impaired

Impairments include

Elevated Water Temperature

Pollutants include

Unknown Pollutant

County

Monroe, 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.

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.

Cold (Class II Trout)

Streams 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 through natural reproduction and selective propagation. 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

Billings Creek begins in south central Monroe County and then flows into north central Vernon County. This stream flows in a southwesterly direction for 11.3 miles before reaching the Kickapoo River south of Ontario. Billings Creek has a gradient of 35 feet per mile and drains forested hillsides with agricultural activities in both valleys and ridgetops. Billings Creek is a Class II trout stream for its entire length.

The most recent survey, conducted in 2000, documented brown, rainbow and brook trout as well as numerous forage fish species. The stream bottom was dominated by sand and gravel and in-stream cover consisted of LUNKER structures, overhanging grasses, natural undercut banks, woody debris and boulders. Billings Creek should be resurveyed after conclusion of the Middle Kickapoo River Priority Watershed Project in 2004. WDNR records indicate Billings Creek has been stocked yearly with brown trout since 1960. Rainbow trout were last stocked in 1995. Access to Billings Creek is from nine road crossings, and Wildcat Mountain State Park and the Kickapoo Valley Reserve.

Date 2002

Author Cynthia Koperski

Historical Description

Billings Creek, T14N, R2W, Section 23. Surface Acres = 18.2, Miles = 7.0, Gradient = 19.6 feet per
mile.
Heading in Monroe County, this stream flows in a general southwesterly direction and joins the Kickapoo River south of Ontario. The stream has clear. hard water. It is managed as a Class II brook and brown trout stream in Vernon County. White suckers are abundant. and other forage species include creek chub and redhorse. During the winter aerial groundwater survey. all except the upper mile of the stream in the county had open water. Rubble dominates the bottom types. but there is some silt.

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

Billings Creek, Middle Kickapoo River Watershed (LW05) Fish and Aquatic Life

Billings Creek, Middle Kickapoo River Watershed (LW05) Recreation

Billings Creek, Middle Kickapoo River Watershed (LW05) Fish Consumption

Impaired Waters

Billings Creek was evaluated during the 2020 listing cycle and new temperature data indicated impairment (too high to meet cold-water standards). However, biological (fish and macroinvertebrate) and chloride data were assessed and do not indicate impairment. Based on the most updated information, this water was put on the impaired waters list.

Date 2019

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

Billings Creek, Billings Creek Station #3 Brg. On Cth F, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

2020 Comprehensive WQ Assessments

Billings Creek, Billings Creek Station #3 Brg. On Cth F, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

2018 List of Healthy (Category 2) Waters

Billings Creek, Billings Creek Station #3 Brg. On Cth F, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

10009007_AlgalAbundace_FieldDatatSheet_09122017

Comprehensive 2018 River/Stream Water Quality Assessments

Billings Creek, Billings Creek Station #1 Brg. On Cth F Lower Crossing, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Billings Creek, Billings Creek Station #3 Brg. On Cth F, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Comprehensive 2016 Rivers Stream Assessments

Comprehensive 2014 TP IBI Rivers Assessment

BILLINGS CREEK DOCUMENTS FOR TROUT CLASS 2008

Recommendations

Monitor Targeted Area

Long-term trend wadeable reference streams. Long-term variation in biological indices over time at reference sites to understand natural variation and broad scale impacts of climatic extreme events on biologic communities.

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
WCR Long-Term Trend Wadeable Reference Streams	2010
Fish Propagation Actions	2001

Monitoring Projects

WBIC	Official Waterbody Name	Station ID	Station Name	Earliest Fieldwork Date	Latest Fieldwork Date	View Station	View Data
1196900	Billings Creek	10009007	Billings Creek Station #3 Brg. On Cth F	10/29/2009	9/12/2024	Map	Data
1196900	Billings Creek	10009010	Billings Creek Station Trout Rd and Cth Z			Map	Data
1196900	Billings Creek	10015727	Billings Creek - First Bridge West Of Hwy. 33 Oncth-F	10/1/1998	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1197000	Cheyenne Valley Creek	10032369	Cheyanne Valley Creek - Confluence off of Billings Creek	1/1/2015	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1196900	Billings Creek	10013969	Billings Creek Station 33-1946-Se 1/4 Sw 1/4 S27			Map	Data
1196900	Billings Creek	10032308	Billings Creek - Monroe/Vernon County Line along CTH Z	1/1/2015	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1196900	Billings Creek	10055254	Billings Creek Upstream of Confluence with Winchell Valley Creek			Map	Data
1196900	Billings Creek	633068	Billings Creek - Sth 33	5/14/1980	10/19/2000	Map	Data
1196900	Billings Creek	10009005	Billings Crk Station 2 Horse Trail Bridge			Map	Data
1196900	Billings Creek	10009013	Billings Creek Station #6 Approx. 100' D/S From Rd Xing			Map	Data
1196900	Billings Creek	10009011	Billings Creek Station #5 Cth Z Brg.	7/30/2013	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1196900	Billings Creek	10009016	Billings Creek Station #7 150' D/S Of Fenceline On Martalok Prop.			Map	Data
1197800	Winchell Valley Creek	10020857	Creek 34-10 St. 9 Mouth Upstream			Map	Data
1196900	Billings Creek	10008999	Billings Creek Station #1 Brg. On Cth F Lower Crossing	12/10/1998	10/19/2016	Map	Data
1196900	Billings Creek	10013970	Billings Creek Station 13-1969-Ne 1/4 Se 1/4 S27-Starts At Osage Ave. Bridge Crossing.			Map	Data
1196900	Billings Creek	10016398	Billings Creek - 100 Yds Above Cth Z - Just Abovesnowmobile Bridge.	4/21/1994	4/21/1994	Map	Data
1198100	Unnamed	10020767	Creek 27-13 St. 12 Confluence			Map	Data
1196900	Billings Creek	10021987	Billings Crk Osage Ave	1/1/2015	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1196900	Billings Creek	10016386	Billings Creek - Approx. 50 Yds. Above Cth Z Bridge1/4 Mile South Of Junction With Cth Zz	4/20/1990	4/20/1990	Map	Data
1196900	Billings Creek	10013971	Billings Creek Station 14-1969-Se 1/4 Sw 1/4 S23-Starts At Orlando Ave. Bridge Crossing.			Map	Data
1196900	Billings Creek	10013972	Billings Creek Station 5-1990-Ne 1/4 Se 1/4 S33-Starts 1000' Downstream Of Cth Z Bridge Crossing.			Map	Data
1196900	Billings Creek	10022510	Billings Creek - Confluence Of Cr. 27-13	1/1/2015	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1196900	Billings Creek	10014651	Billings Creek - Horse Trail Crossing at Cth F	10/17/2006	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1196900	Billings Creek	10055404	Billings Creek at STH 33			Map	Data
1196900	Billings Creek	10051131	Billings Creek SE of Hwy 131 and Hay Valley Rd (Ho-Chunk Nation)	5/28/2018	7/29/2018	Map	Data
1196900	Billings Creek	10032369	Cheyanne Valley Creek - Confluence off of Billings Creek	1/1/2015	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1196900	Billings Creek	633051	Billings Creek - Ne1/4 Of Sw1/4 Sec13			Map	Data

Watershed Characteristics

Billings Creek is located in the Middle Kickapoo River watershed which is 246.53 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (55.20%), grassland (24.30%) and a mix of agricultural (15.30%) and other uses (5.20%). This watershed has 585.18 stream miles, 145.14 lake acres and 3,360.69 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.

Natural Community

Billings 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.

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