Pleasant Valley, Blue River Watershed (LW09)
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Pleasant Valley, Blue River Watershed (LW09)
Pleasant Valley (1211400)
5.12 Miles
0 - 5.12
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, Coldwater
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.
2015
Good
 
Grant
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.
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.
No

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.
Supported Aquatic Life
Waters that support fish and aquatic life communities (healthy biological communities).
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

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

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

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

Pleasant Valley, Blue River Watershed (LW09) Fish and Aquatic LifePleasant Valley, Blue River Watershed (LW09) RecreationPleasant Valley, Blue River Watershed (LW09) Fish Consumption

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

2020 Comprehensive WQ Assessments
2018 List of Healthy (Category 2) Waters
Comprehensive 2018 River/Stream Water Quality Assessments
RiversStreams AIS Early Detection Form [NC-597 Pleasany Valley Cr, 1211400, data sheet from 2011]
Comprehensive 2016 Rivers Stream Assessments
2014 Total Phosphorus Monitoring Report - NC-0597 Unnamed Upstream CTH. M
AIS Early Detection - NC-597 Pleasant Valley Creek, Grant Co, 1211400, 7-20-2011
WCR Field Session Summary
PLEASANT VALLEY CREEK, LA CROSSE RIVER, UNNAMED TRIBUTARY, MONROE COUNTY, MAPLE CREEK COUNTRY CLUB, ROCKLAND WWTP, WARRENS WWTP USE DESIGNATION

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
Fish Propagation Actions2001

Monitoring Projects

WBICOfficial Waterbody NameStation IDStation NameEarliest Fieldwork DateLatest Fieldwork DateView StationView Data
1211400Pleasant Valley Creek10033977Pleasant Valley Creek Upstream CTH. M7/20/20111/1/2015MapData
1211400Pleasant Valley Creek10042501Pleasant Valley off Larson Rd1/1/20151/1/2015MapData

Watershed Characteristics

Pleasant Valley Creek is located in the Blue River watershed which is 216.19 mi². 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.

Natural Community

Pleasant Valley is considered a Cool-Cold Mainstem, Cool-Cold Headwater, Coldwater 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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