Watershed Detail - Upper Kickapoo River

Details

The Upper Kickapoo River Watershed (LW06) is located in south central Monroe County. A total of 22 miles from the headwaters down to Ontario flow through the Upper Kickapoo Watershed. This watershed includes all streams that flow to the Kickapoo River upstream of Ontario. The topography of the Upper Kickapoo River Watershed differs from other Kickapoo River watersheds in that the valleys are much wider and the slopes not quite as steep. Consequently, this watershed ranks second behind the West Fork of the Kickapoo River Watershed in percent of land in agriculture. Fish surveys dating back to the 1950s document an abundance of forage fish in Upper Kickapoo River Watershed streams. Domestic trout stocked in these streams over the years have not resulted in self-sustaining populations. At this time we believe the streams in this watershed are not capable of sustaining trout due to higher than desirable water temperatures. It is interesting to note that the Upper Kickapoo River Watershed is surrounded by watersheds with similar land use patterns, but by contrast contain abundant trout streams. We believe this watershed has less cold water influence to streams due to a unique confining rock layer. This rock layer impedes deep infiltration of rainwater and snowmelt, preventing it from cooling adequately before returning to a stream as groundwater or springs. 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

Nonpoint and Point Sources

The Upper Kickapoo River watershed is located in south central Monroe County. It falls within the unglaciated, or driftless, region of the state. Agriculture, particularly dairying, is the dominant land use. There are nonpoint source problems in the watershed, but the sources and extent have not been fully identified.

Date 2010

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

Upper Kickapoo River Watershed At-a-Glance

Impaired Water in Upper Kickapoo River Watershed

Wetland Health

There are few wetland complexes in the watershed. Remaining wetlands are generally small wet meadows, adjacent to streams, which are usually grazed. The Sparta-Elroy bike trail runs through the watershed. There are two WPDES-permitted municipal wastewater dischargers in the watershed at Norwalk and Wilton. Very little information exists for evaluating water quality and habitat conditions for the streams in this watershed.

Date 1994

Rivers and Streams

All Waters in Watershed
Watershed Trout Streams
Watershed Outstanding & Exceptional Resources

Lakes and Impoundments

Search for Lakes by County

Impaired Waters

List of Impaired Waters

Watershed Documents

Unnamed, Unnamed Trib to Kickapoo River at Nordale Ave, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

2020 Comprehensive WQ Assessments

Kickapoo River, Kickapoo River at Bridge St in Steuben, Nonwadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

2017 Total Phosphorus Monitoring Report - Morris (Moore) Creek Station 1 - Cth T Bridge In S23

2018 List of Healthy (Category 2) Waters

Final Draft 2018 Impaired Waters List

June 2017 Photo WAV Total Phosphorus Monitoring

Moore Creek, Moore (Morris) Creek - 25 Yds US of Cth T bridge near Mead Rd., Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Moore Creek, Moore Creek - 10 Yards Upstream Of Hwy 71, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Moore Creek, Moore Creek at Cth T Near Norwalk WI, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Moore Creek, Morris (Moore) Creek Station 1 - Cth T Bridge In S23, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Spring Valley Creek, Spring Valley Cr. (Cr. 10-2) St. 2 Mendota Ave. Crossing, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Spring Valley Creek, Unnamed Cr 10-2 - ~ 60 Yds Upstream Of Cth F Bridge, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Unnamed, Creek 17-16 St. 1 455ft Upstream From Impoundment, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Unnamed, Creek 21-12 St. 1 738ft Upstream Of Impoundment, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Unnamed, Creek 21-12 St. 7 Cth T Bridge In S21, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Unnamed, Creek 28-8 St. 5 1500ft Downstream Of Landmark Ave., Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Moore Creek, Morris (Moore) Creek Station 4 - Village Of Norwalk, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Moore Creek, Morris (Moore) Creek Station 8 - SW 1/4 of S15 trail is near stream, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Moore Creek, Morris Creek - Confluence With Wbic 1201700, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Unnamed, Creek 21-12 downstream of Tri-Creek Impoundment, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Unnamed, Creek 28-8 St. 6 Hwy 71 In S28, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Comprehensive 2018 River/Stream Water Quality Assessments

2016 Total Phosphorus Monitoring Report - Kickapoo River 100ft N of Hwy 131 (St. 1)

2016 Total Phosphorus Monitoring Report - Kickapoo River at Sand Hill Rd in Bell Center

Cook Creek, Cook Creek Niagra Ave. Bridge, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Kickapoo River, Kickapoo River at Hwy. 131 Wilton, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Moore Creek, Morris (Moore) Creek Station 1 - Cth T Bridge In S23, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Poe Creek, Poe Creek - Cth Z Just East Sth 131, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Sleighton Creek, Sleighton Creek Station 2 - Cth M Bridge Crossing Near Drysdale Rd., Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

2015 Total Phosphorus Monitoring Report - Kickapoo River - Station 7 old dam foundation at park in Wilton

2015 Total Phosphorus Monitoring Report - Kickapoo River - Sand Hill Road

2015 Total Phosphorus Monitoring Report - Kickapoo River - Landing off State Hwy 60

2015 Total Phosphorus Monitoring Report - Kickapoo River 100 ft N. of Hwy 131

Comprehensive 2016 Rivers Stream Assessments

2014 Total Phosphorus Monitoring Report - Creek 7-12 Downstream of Hwy 131

Kickapoo River Station 123017 Large River Macroinvertebrate Collection Sheet 2003

Rivers TP Summary 2012

Lower Kickapoo River Watershed Plan (LW02)

Lower Kickapoo Watershed (LW02) Goals and Priorities Image

Lower Kickapoo Watershed (LW02) Learn More Image

KICKAPOO RIVER, UNNAMED TRIBUTARY, VERNON COUNTY, VILLAGE OF READSTOWN WWTP USE DESIGNATION

Crawford County Surface Water Resources 1972

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 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

Project Name (Click for Details)	Year Awarded
Moore-Tri Creeks Watershed TWA 2017	2017
VERNON COUNTY: LCO-Shoreland Ordinance Rev.	2010
VERNON COUNTY: LMI-Hillsboro Lake Improvement	1999
MONROE COUNTY: Arndt Livestock Runoff NOI	2010
MONROE COUNTY: LCO-Shoreland Ordinance Rev.	2010
Stillwell Creek SP-12 Project WCR_15_CMP12 (USGS # BQY41)	2011
VERNON COUNTY: Donald Obert	2018
Aquatic Invasives County Coordinator - Vernon County	2011
CRAWFORD COUNTY: LCO-Shoreland Ordinance Rev.	2010
Aquatic Invasives County Coordinator - Monroe County	2011
Fish Propagation Actions	2001
VERNON COUNTY LWCD: Bishops Branch Restoration	2004
VERNON COUNTY: Donald Obert NOD	2018
MONROE COUNTY: Flood Repair - Arndt Livestock Runoff NOI	2019
Springville Branch (WBIC 1642200) and Viroqua WWTP Study - WCR_04_10	2009
MONROE COUNTY: Henze Manure Storage & Runoff Management	2015
VERNON COUNTY: Wolf Manure Storage & Runoff Management	2015
WCR - Stream Evaluation Monitoring 2014 - WCR_06_CMP14	2014
MONROE COUNTY: Vaassen, Merv and Sherise	2016
VERNON COUNTY: Joel D. Goede and Lorn F. Goede	2016
VERNON COUNTY: Nelson Manure Storage & Runoff Management	2014

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

VERNON COUNTY: Donald Obert NOD

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

VERNON COUNTY: Donald Obert

Monitor Baseline Survey

Moore Creek TWA Project

Date

Status

Water chemistry, fish, habitat, and macroinvertebrate data collections to assess resources in the Moore Creek Watershed.

1/1/2017

Proposed

Projects

Moore-Tri Creeks Watershed TWA 2017

Watershed History Note

The Villages of Norwalk and Wilton are located in the center of the Upper Kickapoo River Watershed. However, they are better known as communities along the Elroy-Sparta Trail. This trail was once part of the route for the Chicago-North Western Railroad which, by the early 1880s, ran from Chicago to St. Paul, via Elroy and Sparta. The portion of the trail between the two villages is 6 miles long and includes a tunnel. The tunnel is 1,694 feet long and was completed in 1873 after one and a half years of manual digging. It cost $75,557 or $44/per foot. Through the years rail traffic tapered off and the last trains ran on the line in 1964. In 1965 the Chicago-North Western Railroad removed the tracks and sold the right of way to the Wisconsin Conservation Department (now known as the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources). Improvements were made on the roadbed, including resurfacing with limestone screenings, and the 34 bridges have been planked and protected by railings. The 32-mile Elroy-Sparta Trail is considered to be the first rails to trails hiking and biking trail in the nation.

Date 2010