Grant
Yes
No
No
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
Pleasant Valley Creek is a spring-fed tribuary to Fennimore Branch. It is classified as Class II trout water and has some natural reproduction of brook trout. The fish in the stream have problems with predation. Barnyward runoff and heavy grazing are the most serious nonpoint source pollution threats and the stream has been ranked as a high priority for nonpoint source pollution reduction.
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
Overview
Pleasant Valley Creek, also known as Creek 14-15, is a medium sized spring-fed stream located in southwestern Monroe County. It flows in a northeasterly direction for nearly six miles before reaching the Little La Crosse River south of Leon. It has a gradient of 52 feet per mile and drains steep forested hills and agricultural valley land. Pleasant Valley Creek is a Class III trout stream for its entire length.
The most recent survey, completed in 1974, documented cool, clear water and a bottom comprised predominately of rubble in the upstream portion and silt in the downstream portion of the stream. Small amounts of sand, gravel and boulder were present throughout. Riparian land consisted of pasture and hardwoods. Little in-stream cover for fish was documented throughout the stream with rock and boulder being the primary habitat. Brown trout and several forage fish species were collected. Brown trout fingerlings collected during the survey suggest some natural reproduction was taking place. The Pleasant Valley Creek fishery would benefit from the purchase of streambank easements, reduced erosion, and in-stream habitat restoration. A fish and habitat survey should be conducted of Pleasant Valley Creek to document the current status of the stream. There are no DNR stocking records for Pleasant Valley Creek. Access is possible from five road crossings.
Date 2002
Author Aquatic Biologist
Historical Description
Pleasant Valley Creek is a spring-fed tributary to Fennimore Branch. It is classified as Class II Trout waters (WDNR, 1980). Recent fish serveys indicate the reach above Grant County Highway M should be classified Class I (WDNR, 1991). Trout populations in the creek are down (WDNR,1991). Among nonpoint source water pollution problems in the sub-watershed barnyard runoff and heavy grazing are the most serious (WDNR, Kerr, 1991).
Date 1994
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
Historical Description
Pleasant Valley Creek -T7N, R6E, Sec. 5, Surface acres = 1, Length = 3 miles, Stream order = I, Gradient = 51 ft/miles, Base discharge = 0.1 cfs.
Pleasant Valley Creek originates in Section 15 of Vermont Township and flows northwest through steep pasture lands and upland forests to meet the East Branch of Blue Mounds Creek in the same township. Water quality is good, but the creek supports only forage fish. Bank erosion is a problem as a result of grazing. One road crossing provides access.
Fish species: southern redbelly dace, creek chub, white sucker, brook stickleback, fantail and Johnny darter, and mottled sculpin.
From: Day, Elizabeth A.; Grzebieniak, Gayle P.; Osterby, Kurt M.; and Brynildson, Clifford L., 1985. Lake and Stream Classification Project. Surface Water Resources of Dane County, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.
Date 1985
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
Historical Description
Pleasant Valley Creek - Surface Area = 1.45 acres, Length. 3.0 miles, Gradient = 23 ft./mile, Flow = 1.8 c.f.s.
A small spring-fed tributary to Fennimore Fork entering from the west two miles above the mouth. This stream has sometimes been known as "Ludwig Branch". It is considered to be a submarginal trout stream due to its small size, lack of pools, and poor cover. Brook trout dominate the fishery although all three trout species have been stocked in the past. Fishing pressure is light. Game assets include muskrats, mink, rac- coon, squirrels, deer, and ruffed grouse. Bank erosion is a moderate problem in the upper reaches. Access is possible from two bridge crossings, Fennimore Fork, and a county highway paralleling the stream. Three dwellings are found adjoining the stream.
From: Smith, Tom D., and Ball, Joseph R., Lake and Stream Classification Project. Surface Water Resources of Grant
County, Department of Natural Resources, 1972.
Date 1972
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
General Condition
Pleasant Valley Creek (1211400) was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; new total phosphorus and biological (macroinvertebrate and fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scores) sample data were clearly below the 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Fish and Aquatic Life use. This water was meeting this designated use and was not considered impaired.
Date 2017
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
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 |
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1211400 | Pleasant Valley Creek | 10033977 | Pleasant Valley Creek Upstream CTH. M | 7/20/2011 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
1211400 | Pleasant Valley Creek | 10042501 | Pleasant Valley off Larson Rd | 1/1/2015 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
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![](wsWaterEcosystem.ashx?watershed=LW09)
Watershed Characteristics
Pleasant Valley Creek is located in the Blue River watershed which is 216.19 miĀ². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (41.60%), grassland (29.40%) and a mix of agricultural (20.80%) and other uses (8.20%). This watershed has 513.46 stream miles, 416.83 lake acres and 5,825.06 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked High for runoff impacts on streams, Not Ranked 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.