Watershed - Lower Trempealeau River (BT01)
Lower Trempealeau River Watershed

Details

The Lower Trempealeau River Watershed is approximately 113,345 acres in size and consists of 333 miles of streams and rivers, 4,667 acres of lakes and 13,987 acres of wetlands. The watershed is dominated by forests and agriculture.

Date  1991

Nonpoint and Point Sources

Most of the streams in the Lower Trempealeau River Watershed have stream habitat that has been severely degraded by agricultural nonpoint source pollution. All streams that were assessed are considered to have degraded fishery habitat resulting from streambank destruction and in-stream sedimentation.

Date  1991

Ecological Landscapes for Lower Trempealeau River Watershed

Ecological Landscapes

This watershed is located in the Western Coulee and Ridges Ecological Landscape in southwestern and west central Wisconsin and is characterized by its highly eroded, driftless topography and relatively extensive forested landscape. Soils are silt loams (loess) and sandy loams over sandstone residuum over dolomite. Several large rivers including the Wisconsin, Mississippi, Chippewa, Kickapoo and Black flow through or border the Ecological Landscape. Historical vegetation consisted of southern hardwood forests, oak savanna, scattered prairies, and floodplain forests and marshes along the major rivers. With Euro-American settlement, most of the land on ridgetops and valley bottoms was cleared of oak savanna, prairie, and level forest for agriculture. The steep slopes between valley bottom and ridgetop, unsuitable for raising crops, grew into oak-dominated forests after the ubiquitous presettlement wildfires were suppressed. Current vegetation is a mix of forest (40%), agriculture, and grassland with some wetlands in the river valleys. The primary forest cover is oak-hickory (51%) dominated by oak species and shagbark hickory. Maple-basswood forests (28%), dominated by sugar maple, basswood and red maple, are common in areas that were not subjected to repeated presettlement wildfires. Bottomland hardwoods (10%) are common in the valley bottoms of major rivers and are dominated by silver maple, ashes, elms, cottonwood, and red maple. Relict conifer forests including white pine, hemlock and yellow birch are a rarer natural community in the cooler, steep, north slope microclimates.

Date  2010

Lower Trempealeau River Watershed At-a-Glance

Impaired Water in Lower Trempealeau River Watershed
River and Stream QualityAll Waters in Watershed

The Trempealeau River at Dodge has been monitored for the past several years as a LTT network site. The median total phosphorus concentration at the site is 369 ug/L which is the highest amoung the 42 LTT sites. Concentrations of bacteria, suspended solids and dissolved silica are amoung the highest of other LTT sites. Very limited biological data has been collected from the river and the extent of high phosphorus concentrations are not known. Another unknown, is the impact the high phosphorus concentrations are indirectly having on the biological community. The Department would like to request funds to evaluate the Trempealeau River including a site on both the North and South Branch Trempealeau Rivers at eight locations for fish, macroinvertebrates, continuous dissolved oxygen, continuous temperature, habitat and water chemistry. Fishery and habitat data would be collected during July or August and macroinvertebrates would be collected in the fall.

Date  2012

Watershed Trout Streams
Watershed Outstanding & Exceptional Resources

Lakes and Impoundments

Impaired Waters

List of Impaired Waters
Watershed Grants
Grant Details
Lake Protection Grant
Date
9/1/2010
Waters Involved
Bensel Pond
Status
Complete

Buffalo County: Lco-Shoreland Ordinance Rev.: Buffalo County proposes to amend or create a shoreland zoning ordinance that complies with the requirements of NR 115, Wisconsin Administrative Code (as revised effective February 1, 2010) and retain existing regulations that exceed the water resource protections of NR 115 or are specific or unique to local needs.

Project deliverables include: 1. Copies of any fact sheets or handouts created for public hearings. 2. A summary of the comments received at public hearings. 3. A certified copy of the County Board-approved updated shoreland ordinance or ordinance language (if integrated into other codes). 4. Any GIS maps of the shoreland zone or shoreland condition surveys related to the project.

Specific conditions for this Project: The WDNR will be provided electronic and hard copies of all data and or reports or surveys generated as a result of this project.


Grant Details
Lake Protection Grant
Date
9/1/2010
Waters Involved
Elk Creek
Status
Complete

Trempealeau County: Lco-Shoreland Ordinance Rev.: Treampealeau County proposes to amend or create a shoreland zoning ordinance that complies with the requirements of NR 115, Wisconsin Administrative Code (as revised effective February 1, 2010) and retain existing regulations that exceed the water resource protections of NR 115 or are specific or unique to local needs.

Project deliverables include: 1. Copies of any fact sheets or handouts created for public hearings. 2. A summary of the comments received at public hearings. 3. A certified copy of the County Board-approved updated shoreland ordinance or ordinance language (if integrated into other codes). 4. Any GIS maps of the shoreland zone or shoreland condition surveys related to the project.

Specific conditions for this Project: 1. The WDNR will be provided electronic and hard copies of all data and or reports or surveys generated as a result of this project.


Grant Details
Lake Protection Grant
Date
9/1/2009
Waters Involved
Martha Lake
Status
Complete

City Of Osseo: Res-Martha Restoration: The City of Osseo proposes to restore shoreline on six properties along Lake Martha in Trempealeau County. Major project elements to include: 1) Revegetation of shoreline with native plants, 2) removal of sea walls and restabalization of the shoreline.


Grant Details
Lake Protection Grant
Date
9/1/2009
Waters Involved
South Fork Buffalo River
Status
Complete

City Of Osseo: Res-Martha Restoration: The City of Osseo proposes to restore shoreline on six properties along Lake Martha in Trempealeau County. Major project elements to include: 1) Revegetation of shoreline with native plants, 2) removal of sea walls and restabalization of the shoreline.


Grant Details
Large Scale Lake Planning
Date
3/15/2023
Waters Involved
First Lake
Status
Complete

Trempealeau County: Trempealeau Lakes Management Plan: Project final deliverables include: all data collected, agendas and minutes for planning meetings, and a lake management plan that includes methodologies, results, and management alternatives


Specific project activities include:
Completion of a WDNR-approved stakeholder survey, sent to all Trempealeau Lakes members. Assess current aquatic plant community and delineate curly-leaf pondweed acres in First and Second Lake.


Special Conditions: Point Intercept surveys shall be conducted according to: Baseline Monitoring of Aquatic Plants in Wisconsin: Sampling Design, Field and Laboratory Procedures, Data Entry and Analysis Lakes, Publication number PUB-SS-1068 2010.


This scope summarizes the project detail provided in the application and does not negate tasks/deliverables described therein. Data, records, and reports, including GIS-based maps, and digital images, must be submitted to the Department in a format specified by the regional Lake Biologist.

If consultant is to provide final report, it is recommended that Grantee provide DNR Lake Coordinator with a draft for comment on report adequacy prior to making final payment to the consultant. DNR to receive both paper and electronic .pdf copies of the final report along with, or prior to submission of grantee's final payment request.


Grant Details
Large Scale Lake Planning
Date
3/15/2024
Waters Involved
First Lake
Status
Complete

Friendsof Lake Trempealeau: Swe - Fotl Education: The Friends of Trempealeau Lakes, Inc. is sponsoring a project to boost public awareness and foster understanding among both he community and the farming sector, ultimately building the crucial support needed for the lakes\2019 restoration to a healthy state.

Activities:
1) Develop a marketing strategy delineating precise educational objectives, target demographics and messaging strategies.
2) Establish social media presence on popular platforms.
3) Create website
4) Create on-line access to stories
5) Create informative brochure

Deliverables:
1) Marketing plan and budget
2) Increased membership, volunteers and funding
3) Educational brochure

Conditions: This scope summarizes details provided in the application and does not negate tasks and/or deliverables described therein. Data, reports, surveys, and supporting information, including photos, maps and GIS data, must be submitted to the DNR Biologist in electronic format and in any other format they specify.


Grant Details
Large Scale Lake Planning
Date
3/15/2023
Waters Involved
Second Lake
Status
Complete

Trempealeau County: Trempealeau Lakes Management Plan: Project final deliverables include: all data collected, agendas and minutes for planning meetings, and a lake management plan that includes methodologies, results, and management alternatives


Specific project activities include:
Completion of a WDNR-approved stakeholder survey, sent to all Trempealeau Lakes members. Assess current aquatic plant community and delineate curly-leaf pondweed acres in First and Second Lake.


Special Conditions: Point Intercept surveys shall be conducted according to: Baseline Monitoring of Aquatic Plants in Wisconsin: Sampling Design, Field and Laboratory Procedures, Data Entry and Analysis Lakes, Publication number PUB-SS-1068 2010.


This scope summarizes the project detail provided in the application and does not negate tasks/deliverables described therein. Data, records, and reports, including GIS-based maps, and digital images, must be submitted to the Department in a format specified by the regional Lake Biologist.

If consultant is to provide final report, it is recommended that Grantee provide DNR Lake Coordinator with a draft for comment on report adequacy prior to making final payment to the consultant. DNR to receive both paper and electronic .pdf copies of the final report along with, or prior to submission of grantee's final payment request.


Grant Details
Large Scale Lake Planning
Date
3/15/2024
Waters Involved
Second Lake
Status
Complete

Friendsof Lake Trempealeau: Swe - Fotl Education: The Friends of Trempealeau Lakes, Inc. is sponsoring a project to boost public awareness and foster understanding among both he community and the farming sector, ultimately building the crucial support needed for the lakes\2019 restoration to a healthy state.

Activities:
1) Develop a marketing strategy delineating precise educational objectives, target demographics and messaging strategies.
2) Establish social media presence on popular platforms.
3) Create website
4) Create on-line access to stories
5) Create informative brochure

Deliverables:
1) Marketing plan and budget
2) Increased membership, volunteers and funding
3) Educational brochure

Conditions: This scope summarizes details provided in the application and does not negate tasks and/or deliverables described therein. Data, reports, surveys, and supporting information, including photos, maps and GIS data, must be submitted to the DNR Biologist in electronic format and in any other format they specify.


Grant Details
Large Scale Lake Planning
Date
3/15/2024
Waters Involved
Third Lake
Status
Complete

Friendsof Lake Trempealeau: Swe - Fotl Education: The Friends of Trempealeau Lakes, Inc. is sponsoring a project to boost public awareness and foster understanding among both he community and the farming sector, ultimately building the crucial support needed for the lakes\2019 restoration to a healthy state.

Activities:
1) Develop a marketing strategy delineating precise educational objectives, target demographics and messaging strategies.
2) Establish social media presence on popular platforms.
3) Create website
4) Create on-line access to stories
5) Create informative brochure

Deliverables:
1) Marketing plan and budget
2) Increased membership, volunteers and funding
3) Educational brochure

Conditions: This scope summarizes details provided in the application and does not negate tasks and/or deliverables described therein. Data, reports, surveys, and supporting information, including photos, maps and GIS data, must be submitted to the DNR Biologist in electronic format and in any other format they specify.


Grant Details
Large Scale Lake Planning
Date
3/15/2024
Waters Involved
Unnamed
Status
Complete

Friendsof Lake Trempealeau: Swe - Fotl Education: The Friends of Trempealeau Lakes, Inc. is sponsoring a project to boost public awareness and foster understanding among both he community and the farming sector, ultimately building the crucial support needed for the lakes\2019 restoration to a healthy state.

Activities:
1) Develop a marketing strategy delineating precise educational objectives, target demographics and messaging strategies.
2) Establish social media presence on popular platforms.
3) Create website
4) Create on-line access to stories
5) Create informative brochure

Deliverables:
1) Marketing plan and budget
2) Increased membership, volunteers and funding
3) Educational brochure

Conditions: This scope summarizes details provided in the application and does not negate tasks and/or deliverables described therein. Data, reports, surveys, and supporting information, including photos, maps and GIS data, must be submitted to the DNR Biologist in electronic format and in any other format they specify.


Monitoring & Projects

Projects including grants, restoration work and studies shown below have occurred in this watershed. Click the links below to read through the text. While these are not an exhaustive list of activities, they provide insight into the management activities happening in this watershed.

Grants and Management Projects
Lower Trempealeau River Watershed

Priorities

10/18/2012
All streams that were assessed are considered to have degraded fishery habitat resulting from streambank destruction and in-stream sedimentation
10/18/2012
Most of the streams in the Lower Trempealeau River Watershed have stream habitat that has been severely degraded by agricultural nonpoint source pollution.
Watershed Recommendations
Best Management Practices, Implement
Buffalo County Manure Storage
Date
Status
This project is a landowner installation of nonpoint source best management practices to contribute to the restoration of Wisconsin's waters and was funded by the 319 grant. The grantee will implement practices to address agricultural nonpoint sources of pollution through the installation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) addressing sediment and nutrient loading and violations of the NR 151 Agricultural Performance Standards and Prohibitions. Specifically, the grantee will implement: a waste transfer system; a barnyard runoff control system; animal trails and walkways; and animal trails and walkways critical area stabilization.
1/1/2018
In Progress
Projects
 
Best Management Practices, Implement
Trempealeau Co Livestock Barnyard Runoff Control Facility
Date
Status
This project is a landowner installation of nonpoint source best management practices to contribute to the restoration of Wisconsin's waters and was funded by the 319 grant. Specifically, the grantee will implement: a barnyard runoff control system; heavy use area protection; roofing; and streambank and shoreline protection.
1/1/2018
In Progress
Projects
 
Best Management Practices, Implement
Buffalo County Feed Storage
Date
Status
This project is a landowner installation of nonpoint source best management practices to contribute to the restoration of Wisconsin?s waters and was funded by the 319 grant. The grantee will implement practices to address agricultural nonpoint sources of pollution through the installation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) addressing sediment and nutrient loading and violations of the NR 151 Agricultural Performance Standards and Prohibitions. Specifically, the grantee will implement: access roads and cattle crossings; and a feed storage runoff control system.
1/1/2018
In Progress
Projects
 
Best Management Practices, Implement
Trempealeau County Waste Storage
Date
Status
This project is a landowner installation of nonpoint source best management practices to contribute to the restoration of Wisconsin's waters and was funded by the 319 grant. Specifically, the grantee will implement: a manure storage system; a waste transfer system; heavy use area protection; livestock fencing; a feed storage runoff control system; streambank and shoreline protection; and streambank and shoreline protection.
1/1/2018
In Progress
Projects
 
Best Management Practices, Implement
Trempealeau County Animal Waste Storage
Date
Status
This project is a landowner installation of nonpoint source best management practices to contribute to the restoration of Wisconsin's waters and was funded by the 319 grant. Specifically, the grantee will implement: a manure storage system, heavy use area protection, livestock fencing, and a waste transfer system to remedy discharges of manure, sediment and phosphorus in runoff.
1/1/2017
In Progress
Projects
 
Best Management Practices, Implement
Buffalo County Barnyard Feedlot
Date
Status
This project is a landowner installation of nonpoint source best management practices to contribute to the restoration of Wisconsin's waters and was funded by the 319 grant. Specifically, the grantee will implement: a barnyard runoff control system, critical area stabilization, and diversions to address the NR 151 Agricultural Performance Standards and Prohibitions.
1/1/2017
In Progress
Projects
Documents
 
Best Management Practices, Implement
Trempealeau County Animal Waste Storage Facility
Date
Status
This project is a landowner installation of nonpoint source best management practices to contribute to the restoration of Wisconsin's waters and was funded by the 319 grant. Specifically, the grantee will implement: a manure storage system and heavy use area protection to remedy discharges of manure, sediment and phosphorus in runoff.
1/1/2017
In Progress
Projects
 
Best Management Practices, Implement
Trempealeau Co Livestock Barnyard Runoff Control Facility
Date
Status
This project is a landowner installation of nonpoint source best management practices to contribute to the restoration of Wisconsin's waters and was funded by the 319 grant. Specifically, the grantee will implement: a barnyard runoff control system, heavy use area protection, roofing, and livestock fencing to remedy discharges of manure, sediment and phosphorus in runoff.
1/1/2017
In Progress
Projects
 
Best Management Practices, Implement
Buffalo County Manure Management
Date
Status
This project is a landowner installation of nonpoint source best management practices to contribute to the restoration of Wisconsin's waters and was funded by the 319 grant. Specifically, the grantee will implement: a manure storage system to address the following NR 151 Agricultural Performance Standards and Prohibitions:manure storage facilities-new/significant alterations, process wastewater handling, prevention of unconfined manure piles in water quality management, and prevention of direct runoff from a feedlot or stored manure into waters of the state.
1/1/2017
In Progress
Projects
 
Citizen-Based Stream Monitoring
Citizen Stream Monitoring
Date
Status
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.
1/1/2012
In Progress
Projects
 
Citizen-Based Stream Monitoring
Citizen Stream Monitoring
Date
Status
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.
1/1/2012
In Progress
Projects
 
Monitor Aquatic Biology
Monitor biology on WBIC: 1808000
Date
Status
Conduct biological (mIBI or fIBI) monitoring on Unnamed, WBIC: 1808000, AU:3993880
5/21/2016
Proposed
Projects
 
Monitor Fish Community
Doelle Creek fIBI
Date
Status
AU 14341, poor fIBI, Station 10020610
1/1/2018
Proposed
Projects
 
Monitor Fish Tissue
Confirm FCA: IW pre-2000 data
Date
Status
1769900 name Trempealeau River TMDL ID 489 Start Mile 0 End Mile 31.28
11/21/2011
Proposed
 
Monitor and/or Protect Groundwater, Sourcewater
 
Date
Status
WDNR staff should continue to encourage communities to develop wellhead protection plans in the Watershed and the whole basin.
7/1/2010
Proposed
Projects
 
Monitor to Evaluate Projects
 
Date
Status
Evaluate progress in decreasing sediment loading to the Fountain City backwater complex and improving water quality of the streams in the watershed.
11/22/2010
In Progress
 
TMDL Development
Waumandee TMDL
Date
Status
The Waumandee Creek Watershed is located in Buffalo County, Wisconsin. The Waumandee Creek Watershed drains 204 square miles and is characterized by steep topography, narrow valleys and numerous streams.Surface water drains to the Mississippi River by direct runoff or via Waumandee Creek and its tributaries. Temperature and sediment impairments are found in Buell Valley Creek, Cochrane Ditch (Rose Valley), Irish Valley Creek, Jahns Valley Creek, Weiland Valley Creek. Coverage of the substrates with sediment constitutes ?an objectionable deposit? under the water quality standards criterion noted in S.NR 102.04(1) (a) cited below. The creeks are limited by excessive sediment loading and habitat unsuitable to support a coldwater fishery.
3/1/2006
In Progress
Projects
Documents
 
Lower Trempealeau River WatershedWatershed History Note

Native American peoples populated this watershed long before the Europeans arrived and their sacred mounds can be found in the area of today's Perrot State Park. The Village of Trempealeau was founded in 1851 by French explorers looking for furs. They found a bluff surrounded by water and called it "La Montagne qui trempe à l'eau," which means "mountain with its foot in the water." The name was later shortened to Trempealeau. In 1871, the Trempealeau Hotel, Restaurant and Saloon was established and was one of the few survivors of the 1888 fire. The original bar still exists and the hotel and restaurant still welcome guests. From Brady's Bluff, enjoy the view of Trempealeau Mountain and the Mississippi River valley. Wisconsin Department of Tourism Photo. http://www.trempealeauhotel.com/trempealeauhotel/default.asp?ID=29&PageData=425 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trempealeau_County,_Wisconsin

Date  2010