Watershed - Middle Kickapoo River (LW05)
Middle Kickapoo River Watershed

Details

The Middle Kickapoo River Watershed was selected in 1989 as a priority watershed project under the Wisconsin Nonpoint Source Water Pollution Abatement Program. The goal of the program is to improve and protect the water quality of streams, lakes, wetlands and groundwater by reducing pollutants from urban and rural nonpoint sources. Nonpoint sources of pollution in the watershed include: eroding agricultural lands, streambanks, roadsides and developing urban areas, runoff from livestock wastes and established urban areas. Pollutants from nonpoint sources are carried to the stream or groundwater through the action of rainfall runoff, snow melt and seepage. Common water resource problems in the watershed include streambank erosion, sedimentation of riffle and pool areas, organic loading from animal waste, elevated water temperatures and extreme flooding. In recent years, the watershed streams have experienced both drought and unusually severe spring flooding. Trout populations are depressed from earlier surveys due in part to three years of drought followed by spring floods in 1989 and 1990 which virtually eliminated two-year classes of fish from several streams. Ontario, La Farge, and Viola wastewater treatment plants all discharge to surface water in the watershed. For a more detailed discussion of water quality conditions in the watershed, see the report "Middle Kickapoo River Priority Watershed Water Quality Appraisal: Final Report" 1991.

Date  1994

Ecological Landscapes for Middle Kickapoo River Watershed

Ecological Landscapes

The Western Coulee and Ridges Ecological Landscape in southwestern and west central Wisconsin 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

Wildlife and Habitat

Most of the perennial tributaries to the Kickapoo River in this watershed are cold water communities that support a limited trout fishery. The Middle Kickapoo River Watershed has four Class I, five Class II and 10 Class III trout streams, and 18 cold water forage fishery streams. The Kickapoo River supports a marginal warm water sport fishery. Fish surveys conducted in 1990 found brook, brown and rainbow trout and 22 minnow and forage fish species. White sucker, creek chub, Johnny darter and fantail darters were the most common forage species.

Date  1994

Watershed Documents
Watershed Grants
Grant Details
Lake Protection Grant
Date
9/1/2010
Waters Involved
Coe Hollow Creek
Status
Complete

Vernon County: Lco-Shoreland Ordinance Rev.: Vernon 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
2/1/1999
Waters Involved
Field Veterans Memorial Lake
Status
Complete

Vernon County: Lmi-Hillsboro Lake Improvement: The Vernon County Land Conservation Department proposes to reduce sedimentation to Hillsboro Lake by 1404 tons over a five year period through implementation of Best Management Practices approved, but unlikely to be funded at any time soon, by the state's Nonpoint Source Program. High Residue Management, Conservation Cropping Plans, Grassed Waterway, Critical Area Stabalization, Grade Stabalization Structures, Streambank Riprapping, Streambank Fencing, Stream Crossings and Streambank Shaping and Seeding.


Grant Details
Lake Protection Grant
Date
9/1/2010
Waters Involved
Kickapoo River
Status
Complete

Crawford County: Lco-Shoreland Ordinance Rev.: Crawford 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
9/1/2010
Waters Involved
Lake Tomah
Status
Complete

Monroe County: Lco-Shoreland Ordinance Rev.: Monroe 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
Sidie Hollow Lake
Status
Complete

Vernon County: Lco-Shoreland Ordinance Rev.: Vernon 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
South Fork Lemonweir River
Status
Complete

Monroe County: Lco-Shoreland Ordinance Rev.: Monroe 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
Unnamed
Status
Complete

Crawford County: Lco-Shoreland Ordinance Rev.: Crawford 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
River Planning Grant
Date
10/1/2001
Waters Involved
Kickapoo River
Status
Complete

The Valley Stewardship Network: Striving For A Sustainable Future: The Valley Stewardship Network is seeking a second year of funding to continue the conservation/stewardship /education work in progress and expand the base of members to create a self-sufficient river organization. Two major goals and objectives for the VSN are to become a stable watershed conservation organization and increase the visibility and credibility of VSN through education and publicity. Products and deliverables include: acheiving 501(c)3 status, increase the number of board members, to recruit 200 new members, distribute a newsletter twice a year, collect, tabulate and refine the water quality monitoring data, coordinate and annual Celebrate the Kickapoo day and 2 Stewardship education events, develop 1-3 slide shows and finally VSN will initiate a pilot project to help landowners be stewards of their land, assist the board in strategic planning and create an avenue for recruiting members


Grant Details
River Planning Grant
Date
7/1/2004
Waters Involved
Kickapoo River
Status
Complete

The Valley Stewardship Network: Kickapoo Study-Outreach: The Valley Stewardship Network seeks to improve water quality data on the Kickapoo River in Monroe, Richland and Crawford counties, and enhance public understanding of potential impacts associated with development within the watershed. Major project elements to include: 1) water quality monitoring, 2) establishment of a GIS based bio-inventory, 3) outreach to recreational uses, property owners and developers.


Grant Details
River Planning Grant
Date
7/1/2008
Waters Involved
Kickapoo River
Status
Complete

Community Conservation, Inc: Kickapoo Conserve Plan: Community Conservation, Inc. proposes to study the ecology of the Kickapoo River Valley and work with its residents to encourage sustainable land management practices with the objective of protecting the water quality, habitat, and rural character of the river valley. Major project elements to include: 1) Ecological Assessments of properties, 2) Landowner Survey, 3) Development of future strategies for inclusion in Final Report.


Grant Details
River Protection Grant
Date
7/1/2004
Waters Involved
Bishop Br
Status
Complete

Vernon County Lwcd: Bishops Branch Restoration: Vernon County proposes to restore some 2600 linear feet of Bishops Branch, a tributary to the West Fork of the Kickapoo River, in the Town of Liberty.

Major project elements to include 1) placement of lunker structures, boulders, and rock weirs in the stream, 2) deepening of pools, 3) placement of riprap, and 4) revegitation of the streambank.


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
Middle Kickapoo River Watershed
Watershed Recommendations
Best Management Practices, Implement
Vernon County NOD
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.
6/4/2018
In Progress
Projects
 
Best Management Practices, Implement
Vernon County Nonpoint Source BMPs
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.
6/4/2018
In Progress
Projects
 
Monitor Fish Community
Bufton Hollow Creek
Date
Status
AU 13176, poor fIBI, Station 10031353
1/1/2018
Proposed
Projects
 
Monitor Targeted Area
Western long-term trend wadeable reference streams
Date
Status
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.
5/1/2010
In Progress
Projects
Documents
 
TMDL Development
Jug Creek TMDL
Date
Status
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) developed a sediment TMDL for a segment in the Middle Kickapoo River watershed, Jug Creek, a 3.6 mile segment in Vernon County. The TMDL addresses the sediment impacts and impairments which were identified on the Wisconsin 1998 303(d) list. The segment was ranked as medium priority on the Wisconsin 1998 303(d) list. Jug Creek drains an area about 5.2 square miles. About 27% of the land use in the Jug Creek subwatershed is agriculture, about 62% of the drainage area is woodland, which contributes little sediment to the creeks, and the remaining 11% is classified as other? by WDNR (grassland, roads, quarries, and wetlands). There are no point sources in the Jug Creek subwatershed that discharge sediments. Non-point sources are identified in the Nonpoint Source Control Plan for the Middle Kickapoo River Priority Watershed Project (Watershed Plan), Chapter 2. The Watershed Plan is an attachment to the TMDL. Nonpoint sources identified in the Watershed Plan as contributing to the impairments include agricultural field run-off and streambank erosion. The TMDL identifies the existing annual sediment load of 1326 tons to Jug Creek from the following sources: Uplands 796 tons Gullies 460 tons Stream Banks 97 tons EPA finds that the TMDL document submitted by WDNR satisfies all requirements of this first element.
3/25/2007
In Progress
Projects
Documents
 
TMDL Implementation
Jug Creek TMDL Implementation
Date
Status
Jug Creek TMDL Implementation addressing 1 TMDL for 1 waterbody with a sediment impairment from the 1998 Wisconsin 303d list. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) developed a sediment TMDL for a segment in the Middle Kickapoo River watershed, Jug Creek, a 3.6 mile segment in Vernon County. Implementation Plan needed.
3/13/2003
In Progress
Projects
 
Middle Kickapoo River WatershedWatershed History Note

The Village of Viola is located on the border of Vernon and Richland Counties in the Middle Kickapoo River Watershed. The Native American word "kickapoo" means to go "here and there", or crooked, which is an appropriate description of the Kickapoo River. The early history of Viola goes further back than the European settlers or the Native Americans. It goes back to a group of people known as the Mound Builders. Although they left no written record, their mounds along the rivers and bluffs in this part of the country are proof of their culture. Many of the mounds are shaped in forms representing birds and animals. Excavations of the mounds have yielded implements, made of stone and copper, and are beautifully fashioned. Over thirty mounds can be found scattered over an area of one hundred acres in the countryside around Viola. The village has set aside land known as Mound Park to preserve those mounds found directly in the Village. The early settlers, using their imagination, gave these mounds their names. The largest one of all was called the Eagle. The wings and tail are extended as though sailing in the air. From top to tip, the wings measure about 495 feet. Not far from this one is another called the Hawk, which is only 133 feet in length. There are two others near-by, side by side, with wing tips touching and facing south, are called Wild Geese.

Date  2010