Kickapoo Citizen Water Monitors
Data Report for 2004
Thank You Volunteer Kickapoo Citizen Water Monitors!
VSN
With funding from the
Valley Stewardship Network
&
University of Wisconsin – Extension
-0-
Valley Stewardship Network
124 ½ South Main Street
Viroqua, WI 54665
(608) 637-3615
vsn@frontiernet.net
www.kickapoovsn.org
Printed May 2005
-1-
Table of Contents
Page
Introduction .............................................................................................................. 3 - 4
Kickapoo Watershed Map ........................................................................................
5
2004 Kickapoo Citizen Water Monitoring - Data from Individual Sites ................. 6 - 17
Summary of Data for 2004 .......................................................................................
18
2004 Data Compared with 1998 & 1999 Data .........................................................
20
Conclusions from the 2004 Data ..............................................................................
23
-2-
Introduction
The Kickapoo Citizen Water Monitor (KCWM) volunteers are part of the Water Action Volunteers
(WAV), a statewide program for citizens who want to learn about and improve the quality of Wisconsin’s
streams and rivers. The program is coordinated through a partnership between the Wisconsin Department
of Natural Resources, the University of Wisconsin – Cooperative Extension and at a local level by the
Valley Stewardship Network. In 2004 data was collected on 17 streams by 24 volunteers.
Short History
The Kickapoo Citizen Water Monitors began in 1998 when Community Conservation Consultants, Trout
Unlimited – Kickapoo Project, and the Vernon County Land & Water Conservation Department received
a grant from the EPA to initiate a citizen water quality monitoring program. In the summer of 1998, 16
citizen monitors were trained and began recording data in September.
Mission the Kickapoo Citizen Water Monitors
The KCWM collect useful baseline and long term data on stream health, assess general stream conditions
while identifying problem areas and provide volunteers with an opportunity to participate in management
of the watershed.
The goals of the WAV program are:
1. that Wisconsin citizens will monitor stream and river health.
2. to support data sharing for educational purposes.
3. to provide a network for volunteer groups, individuals, and schools to interact.
4. to provide support for civic conservation and environmental groups.
5. to help increase linkages between volunteer monitoring efforts and public resources protection
programs.
What is monitored and why:
 Habitat – Habitat Assessment scores range from 13 to 52 with higher scores indicating better
habitat. Volunteers follow an established statewide protocol to assess the health of the aquatic
and streamside habitat of their stream. This easy-to-use technique is based on a protocol
developed by the Environmental Protection Agency. Monitors rate 10 characteristics of their
stream habitat by responding to questions that quantify the factors influencing stream health.
This assessment is a good introduction to stream ecology and stewardship, helping to train the eye
to see the factors that affect stream health.
 Macroinvertebrates using a Biotic Index - Volunteers collect macroinvertebrates (water
critters) from the streams in the spring and in the fall. The bugs are classified using an
identification key as tolerant, semi-tolerant, semi-sensitive or sensitive to pollution. A water
quality score or biotic index is calculated based on this classification. This score correlates to the
Hilsenhoff Biotic Index. Water critters are a great way to determine long term water quality
because of their extended presence in the water. The biotic index score ranges from 1 to 4 with
Poor being below 2.1, Fair being from 2.2 – 2.6, Good being from 2.7 – 3.6 and Excellent above
3.6.
Weather permitting (generally from May to October), the following seven parameters are monitored on a
monthly basis.
 Water Temperature - Temperature changes can affect all aquatic life. For example, warm water
holds less dissolved oxygen than cold water and triggers higher plant growth and respiration
rates. The lowered oxygen levels of warmer waters are further reduced when more plants die and
decay.
 Dissolved Oxygen - Both aquatic plants and animals depend on dissolved oxygen (D.O.) for
survival. D.O. concentrations are influenced by many factors including water temperature, the
-3-





rate of photosynthesis, the degree of light penetration (turbidity and water depth), the degree of
water turbulence or wave action, and the amount of oxygen used by respiration and decay of
organic matter. In general the more D.O. the healthier a stream.
Stream Flow - Stream flow, or discharge, is the volume of water moving past a cross-section of a
stream over a set period of time and is measured in cubic feet per second (cfs). Stream flow is
affected by the amount of water within a watershed, increasing with rainstorms or snowmelt, and
decreasing during dry periods. Flow is important because it defines the shape, size and course of
the stream. It is integral not only to water quality, but also to habitat. Food sources, spawning
areas and migration paths of fish and other wildlife are all affected and defined by stream flow
and velocity. Different types of organisms and vegetation require different types of velocity and
stream flow - some need fast-flowing areas; while others prefer quiet, low-velocity pools. Stream
flow is affected by both forces of nature and by humans. In undeveloped watersheds, soil type,
vegetation, and slope all play a role in how fast and how much water reaches a stream. In
watersheds with high human impacts, water flow might be depleted by withdrawals for irrigation,
domestic or industrial purposes.
Turbidity - More free-floating particles cause greater turbidity or murkiness, resulting in less
light penetration through the water. This hinders photosynthesis, necessary for healthy aquatic
plant growth and production of dissolved oxygen. The water also becomes warmer because the
suspended particles absorb heat, and warmer water holds less dissolved oxygen than cold water.
The faster a stream flows, the more energy it has and the more sediment it can carry. Sources of
turbidity include: erosion from fields, construction sites; urban runoff from rainstorms and
melting snow; eroding stream banks; large number of bottom feeders (such as carp) which stir up
bottom sediments; excessive algal growth.
Water pH level - The pH level of most streams in the Watershed are fairly neutral. A reading
that is unusually high or low may indicate that an uncommon event is occurring.
Current Weather Conditions - Monitors record air temperature, current sky condition, time of
day and the amount of precipitation in the previous 24 hours. It is important for people looking at
the data in the future to know if the stream data is being affected by such events as a blistering hot
sun or run off from a recent rainfall.
Nitrates and Nitrites - This is not a part of the official WAV protocol but was added by the
KCWM because of the heavy agriculture of the region.
What happens to the data that is collected?
Data collected is entered into a web-based database maintained by WAV. Anyone with access to the web
can view water quality data that have been entered into the database including data entered by other WAV
programs around the state. Trend analyses and explanations of the data in the database is posted on this
web site. See the data and compare Kickapoo streams with other Wisconsin streams at:
http://clean-water.uwex.edu/wav/datagate.htm. Any extremely abnormal data is double checked and
reported directly to the responsible government agency at the monitor’s discretion.
Note on the data
The data in this report represents the current records of the KCWM in January of 2005. Some streams
with small amounts of data in 2004 were not included in this report. Please be sure to send all data to the
KCWM by January 15th 2006 to be included in next year’s data report. Your comments, questions and
updates on the data or design of the report are always welcome. Please call us at 637.3615, email us at
vsn@frontiernet.net or write us at 124 ½ S Main, Viroqua, WI 54665.
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- 55 --
2004 Kickapoo Citizen Water Monitors:
Bear Creek
Chuck Hatfield - La Farge
Page 9
Bear Creek (tributary)
Paige & Ben Baumgardner - La Farge
Brush Creek
Chuck Hatfield - La Farge
Page 8
Billings Creek
Don & Marlene Mason - Ontario
Page 7
Casewell Hollow Creek
Sylvia Attelson - Gays Mills
Page 10
Elk Run Creek
Nicholas Gale - Viroqua
Page 11
Halls Branch Creek
Dave Hackett & Ellen Brooks – Gays Mills
Page 12
Johnstown Creek
Jane Keeley - Soldiers Grove
Page 13
Kickapoo River
Cliff Englerth – Madison
Otter Creek
Georgia Everson - La Farge
Reads Creek
Gary Thompson & Jeremy Lopez - Viroqua
Page 14
Seas Branch Creek
Terry Beck and Bruce Bland - La Farge
Page 15
Trout Creek
Liz & Jerry Quebe - Soldiers Grove
Page 16
Kickapoo Tributary (Crawford Co.)
Dick Piehl - Soldiers Grove
Warner Creek
Chuck & Patti Knower - La Farge
Weister Creek
Steve & Geri Hall - La Farge
Page 17
Bad Axe River (south fork)
Steve Grams - Oregon
-6-
Billings Creek
Stream Name:
Monitors:
Watershed:
Habitat Assessment:
Marlene and Don Mason
Upper Kickapoo
46 of 52, Rocky Bottom on 5/16
47 of 52, Rocky Bottom on 10/1
Location:
In Wildcat State Park near ice cave
GPS:
Latitude: 43°41'18"
Longitude: 90°34'8"
2004 Aug. Water Temp: 62 F.
Avg. Aug. Water Temp: 60.6 F. (all streams)
140
2004 Max. Water Temp: 66 F.
------- Biotic Index -------
2.3
2.7
2.4
120
Billings Creek has been monitored
by KCWM since October of 1998.
100
80
The average biotic index for this
creek over all 5 samples is 2.4
which rates as fair.
60
40
Billings Creek is classified by the
DNR as a Class II Trout Stream.
20
0
Weather
Sunny
MG/L
O2
8.5
%
Sat.
O2
85
Water
Temp
F.
63
pH
Level
0
Water
Flow
CF/S
31.3
Precip.
prev.
24 hrs.
0
Air
Temp
F.
75
Comments
No rain for many days.
29-Aug-03
11:00
Sunny
13.3
21
8
85
64
8
50.4
1.01
76
This was a storm event
reading. Rain storm was
within the last 24 hour
period. No rain prior to
this for at least 6 weeks.
30-Oct-03
11:00
Raining
41.5
< 10
12.5
97
42
8
40.6
0.1
42
Very light rain
21-Dec-03
14:00
Partly
Sunny
40.5
< 10
11
82
36
8
32.4
0
44
No data taken for
November.
29-Jan-04
14:30
Partly
Sunny
< 10
12
77
32
8
0.0
0
9
25-Feb-04
14:30
Partly
Sunny
24
12
94
40
8
0.0
0
45
Bucket Calculations Water drawn in bucket
from bridge.
27-Mar-04
14:00
Mostly
Cloudy
21
< 10
11
98
49
8
29.6
0
51
Mid 40's and rain 2 days
ago
26-Apr-04
15:00
Mostly
Cloudy
42.5
< 10
12
109
50
8
27.7
0
51
Rain 36 hours ago at .3
inches
16-May-04
14:00
Partly
Sunny
30
< 10
11
110
58
8
45.8
0
65
Trace of Rain in last 24
hours
26-Jun-04
14:00
Raining
43.5
< 10
12
122
60
8
43.3
0.03
70
25-Jul-04
14:45
Sunny
30
< 10
9.5
98
66
8
35.2
0
78
Nitrate .5 Nitrite 0
29-Aug-04
16:00
Partly
Sunny
43.5
< 10
9.5
94
62
8
37.6
0.01
72
very light rain in last 24
hours Nitrate: 0 Nitrite: 0
22-Sep-04
15:00
Sunny
43.5
< 10
9.5
96
63
8
32.3
0
80
very dry
22-Oct-04
15:00
Partly
Sunny
44
< 10
11
100
51
8
28.9
0
69
dry Nitrate: 1 Nitrite: 0
21-Nov-04
14:30
Mostly
Cloudy
43
< 10
11
89
41
8
36.6
1
42
-7-
04
Time
10:30
Turbidity
NTUs
< 10
Water Temp (F.)
ec
4
-0
4
4
4
-0
ov
ct
0
p-
0
g-
Date
30-Jul-03
Turbidity
Inches
above
42.5
Water Flow CFS
D
1-
N
1-
O
1-
Se
1-
4
l-0
04
n-
Au
1-
Ju
1-
4
-0
ay
Ju
1-
4
-0
pr
M
1-
A
1-
04
4
-0
ar
03
04
n-
eb
M
1-
F
1-
Ja
1-
3
3
3
-0
ec
ct
0
p-
0
g-
3
-0
ov
D
1-
N
1-
O
1-
Se
1-
3
l-0
Au
1-
Ju
1-
Sample Dates
% D.O.
Brush Creek
Stream Name:
Monitor:
Watershed:
Habitat Assessment:
Chuck Hatfield
Upper Kickapoo
N/A
N/A
Location:
Lester Kampf property,
200 ft. downstream from bridge
GPS:
Latitude: 43°43'40"
Longitude: 90°38'29"
2003 Aug. Water Temp: 77 F.
Avg. Aug. Water Temp: 60.6 F. (all streams) 160
2004 Max. Water Temp: 72 F.
140
------- Biotic Index -------
2.4
120
Brush Creek has been monitored
by KCWM since January of 2000.
100
80
The average biotic index for this
creek over all 6 samples is 2.5
which rates as fair (almost good).
60
40
20
Brush Creek is classified by the
DNR as a Class III Trout Stream.
0
0
gAu
14
4
4
l-0
Ju
1-
0
nJu
1-
4
-0
ay
M
1-
4
-0
pr
A
1-
04
4
4
-0
ar
eb
M
1-
F
1-
0
nJa
1-
03
03
3
3
3
-0
ec
ct
ov
D
1-
N
1-
O
1-
0
pSe
1-
0
gAu
1-
3
l-0
Ju
1-
Sample Dates
% D.O.
Date
Time
6-Jul-03
0:00
7-Aug-03
16:30
20-Nov-03
13:00
Weather
Turbidity
Inches
above
Partly
Sunny
Turbidity
NTUs
MG/L
O2
%
Sat.
O2
Water Flow CFS
Water
Temp
F.
pH
Level
Water
Flow
CF/S
Water Temp (F.)
Precip.
prev.
24 hrs.
Air
Temp
F.
Comments
< 10
10.5
125
77
8.2
15.6
0
83
1/2 inch rain three times
in previous week.
< 10
11.5
137
77
0
17.9
0
84
Logger cable broken but
recovered logger.
Downloaded logger
0
13
110
45
0
21.9
0
59
0
13
85
32
0
0.0
0
34
Ice Covered
Partially Ice Covered
13-Dec-03
13:30
Partly
Sunny
16-Jan-04
16:30
Mostly
Cloudy
< 10
13
92
33
8.2
0.0
0
30
20-Mar-04
14:30
Mostly
Cloudy
< 10
11
93
45
8.3
21.1
0
38
9-Apr-04
15:00
Partly
Sunny
< 10
14
128
50
8.3
15.0
0
55
7-Jun-04
13:00
Partly
Sunny
10
30
11
129
72
8
16.5
1
90
Nitrate 2; Nitrite .15
5-Jul-04
16:30
Mostly
Cloudy
30
0
10
113
68
0
0.0
0
72
Nitrate 2; Nitrite .15
-8-
Bear Creek
Stream Name:
Monitors:
Watershed:
Habitat Assessment:
Chuck Hatfield
Middle Kickapoo
N/A
N/A
Location:
Along State Hwy 82,
Bolden property
GPS:
Latitude: 43°34'27"
Longitude: 90°37'22"
2003 Aug. Water Temp: 68 F.
Avg. Aug. Water Temp: 60.6 F. (all streams) 140
2004 Max. Water Temp: 74 F.
------- Biotic Index -------
2.8
120
100
Bear Creek has been monitored by
KCWM since September of 1998.
The average biotic index for this
creek over all 6 samples is 2.6
which rates as good.
80
60
40
Bear Creek is classified by the
DNR as a Class III Trout Stream.
20
0
Time
Weather
6-Jul-03
Water Temp (F.)
Turbidity
NTUs
MG/L
O2
%
Sat.
O2
Water
Temp
F.
pH
Level
Water
Flow
CF/S
Precip.
prev.
24 hrs.
Air
Temp
F.
< 10
10
125
77
8.5
24.2
0
84
1/2 inch rain three times
in previous week.
Comments
8-Aug-03
12:00
Partly
Sunny
< 10
11.5
125
68
20.2
0
78
Downloaded logger.
Sign reading
23-Oct-03
12:00
Sunny
< 10
14.5
128
50
16.9
0
65
0
21-Nov-03
9:00
Partly
Sunny
13
99
37
15.5
0
41
0
19-Dec-03
14:00
Sunny
13
94
34
12.2
0
25
0
16-Jan-04
12:30
Mostly
Cloudy
< 10
13
97
36
8.3
0.0
0
30
Partially Ice Covered
12-Apr-04
17:30
Partly
Sunny
< 10
11
100
51
8.2
18.0
0
39
0
7-Jun-04
16:30
Partly
Sunny
5
90
11
132
74
19.1
1
90
0
5-Jul-04
18:45
Mostly
Cloudy
30
9
98
66
17.4
0
66
0
-9-
4
-0
ul
4
-0
Date
Turbidity
Inches
above
Water Flow CFS
J
1-
ay
4
-0
un
J
1-
M
1-
4
-0
pr
A
14
-0
ar
04
eb
M
1-
F
1-
03
4
-0
an
J
1-
03
3
3
3
-0
ec
ct
ov
D
1-
N
1-
O
1-
-0
ep
S
1-
-0
ug
A
1-
3
-0
ul
J
1-
3
-0
un
J
1-
Sample Dates
% D.O.
Casewell Hollow Creek
Stream Name:
Monitors:
Watershed:
Habitat Assessment:
Sylvia Attleson
Lower Kickapoo
N/A
N/A
Location:
Town 10N, Range 5, Section 4W
GPS:
Latitude: N/A
Longitude: N/A
2004 Aug. Water Temp: N/A
Avg. Aug. Water Temp: 60.6 F. (all streams)140
2004 Max. Water Temp: N/A
------- Biotic Index -------
120
100
Casewell Hollow Creek has been
monitored by KCWM since
September of 1998.
The average biotic index for this
creek for one sample is 2.8 which
rates as good.
Turbidity
Inches
above
60
40
20
0
02
bFe 2
1- n-0
Ja 1
1- c-0
e
D 01
1- ovN 1
1- ct-0
O 01
1- pSe 1
1- g-0
Au 1
1- l-0
Ju 1
1- n-0
Ju 01
1- ayM 1
1- pr-0
A 1
1- ar-0
M 01
1- ebF 1
1- n-0
Ja 0
1- ec-0
D 00
1- ovN 0
1- ct-0
O 00
1- pSe 0
1- g-0
Au
1- l-00
Ju 0
1- n-0
Ju 00
1- ayM 0
1- pr-0
A 0
1- ar-0
M 00
1- ebF 0
1- n-0
Ja 9
1- ec-9
D 99
1- ovN 9
1- ct-9
O 99
1- pSe 9
1- g-9
Au 9
1- l-9
Ju 9
1- n-9
Ju 99
1- ayM 9
1- pr-9
A 9
1- ar-9
M 99
1- ebF 9
1- n-9
Ja 8
1- c-9
e
D 98
1- ovN 8
1- ct-9
O 98
1- pSe
1-
Casewell Hollow Creek is not
classified by the DNR as a trout
stream.
80
Sample Dates
Water Flow CFS
% D.O.
Turbidity
NTUs
MG/L
O2
12
%
Sat.
O2
117
Water
Temp
F.
56
pH
Level
8.25
Water
Flow
CF/S
5.3
Water Temp (F.)
Precip.
prev.
24 hrs.
Air
Temp
F.
86
Date
13-Sep-98
Time
0:00
Weather
Sunny
14-Oct-98
0:00
Sunny
11
100
50
7.5
5.6
6-Nov-98
0:00
Mostly
Cloudy
12
99
44
7.5
5.6
0
42
9-Dec-98
0:00
12
97
42
7.3
5.6
0
36
30-Jan-99
0:00
12
99
44
7.75
5.6
0
41
10-Oct-99
0:00
< 10
11
103
52
7.75
1.3
0
32
12-Mar-00
0:00
Mostly
Cloudy
< 10
11
93
46
7.75
4.6
0
32
9-Jul-00
0:00
Raining
< 10
10
102
60
7.75
3.0
29-Oct-00
0:00
Sunny
< 10
11
100
50
7.75
3.7
0
32
26-Apr-01
0:00
Sunny
< 10
11
110
58
7.75
3.1
0
32
27-Jan-02
0:00
Sunny
< 10
11
93
46
7.75
1.9
0
32
Mostly
Cloudy
- 10 -
55
32
Comments
Elk Run Creek
Stream Name:
Nicolas Gale
Middle Kickapoo
N/A
50 feet from mouth of the Kickapoo
Latitude: N/A
Longitude: N/A
2004 Aug. Water Temp: 57 F.
Avg. Aug. Water Temp: 60.6 F. (all streams)
2004 Max. Water Temp: 63 F.
Elk Run Creek is not classified by
the DNR as a trout stream.
------- Biotic Index -------
140
8
7
120
6
100
5
80
4
60
3
40
2
20
1
0
0
Water Flow: Cubic Feet per Second - CFS
Elk Run Creek has been monitored
by KCWM since April of 2004.
Disolved Oxygen (D.O.) and Water Temp. (F.)
Monitors:
Watershed:
Habitat Assessment:
Location:
GPS:
Se
10
p-
0
g-
4
l-0
Au
1-
Ju
1-
4
4
4
4
-0
0
n-
ay
Ju
1-
M
1-
4
-0
4
-0
ar
pr
A
1-
M
1-
Sample Dates
% D.O.
Water Temp (F.)
Water Flow CFS
Date
Time
Weather
Turbidity
Inches
above
Turbidity
NTUs
MG/L
O2
%
Sat.
O2
Water
Temp
F.
pH
Level
Water
Flow
CF/S
Precip.
prev.
24 hrs.
Air
Temp
F.
1-Apr-04
12:00
Sunny
30
< 10
13.5
92
48
7.9
5.3
0
51
Nitrate .5, Nitirite 0 soft
bottom, silt, light wind
13-May-04
17:00
Mostly
Cloudy
34
< 10
9
90
58
7.9
7.5
trace
62
Nitrate: 0, Nitrite 0
26-Jun-04
13:30
Sunny
30
< 10
11
117
63
7.8
2.9
0
71
Nitrate: 0, Nitrite 0
16-Aug-04
17:00
Raining
30
< 10
9.5
88
57
7.9
2.8
0.5
64
- 11 -
Comments
Halls Branch
Stream Name:
Dave Hackett and Ellen Brooks
Middle Kickapoo, Crawford County
N/A
0.3 miles downstream and
2.1
West of bridge on Zintz Road.
GPS:
Latitude: 43°16'53"
Longitude: 90°52'11"
2004 Aug. Water Temp: 60 F.
Avg. Aug. Water Temp: 60.6 F. (all streams)
2004 Max. Water Temp: 63 F.
Halls Branch Creek has been
monitored by KCWM since
September of 1998.
The average biotic index for this
creek over all 8 samples is 2.3
which rates as fair.
Halls Branch Creek is classified
by the DNR as a Class II and III
Trout Stream.
------- Biotic Index -------
2.1
2.5
200
16
180
14
160
12
140
10
120
100
8
80
6
60
4
40
2
20
0
0
04
4
-0
Water Temp (F.)
Turbidity
Inches
above
30
Turbidity
NTUs
< 10
MG/L
O2
15
%
Sat.
O2
170
Water
Temp
F.
69
pH
Level
8
Water
Flow
CF/S
8.8
29-Oct-03
30
< 10
8
70
47
8
6.1
3-Dec-03
30
< 10
16
126
40
8
11.2
15
16
129
41
8
13.2
< 10
14
113
41
8
5.3
20
9
86
55
8
0.0
< 10
17
173
59
8
8.3
240
10
106
63
8
14.5
30
< 10
14
143
60
8
9.0
30
< 10
17
148
48
8.5
7.4
30
< 10
16
129
42
8.5
0.0
Date
11-Aug-03
Time
Weather
27-Feb-04
19-Mar-04
30
14-May-04
6-Jun-04
15:00
30
21-Jul-04
10-Aug-04
17-Oct-04
14:30
13-Nov-04
13:45
Sunny
- 12 -
Water Flow CFS
Precip.
prev.
24 hrs.
Air
Temp
F.
Comments
NTUs < 10 Rusty
colored rocks at waters
edge
Three horses in the
pasture now.
Nitrate: 2 Nitrite: .15
Definitely Lower
Resuming Nitrate testing
4 plus inches rain, no
flow data as storm surge
stripped site Nitrate: 2
Nitrite: .15
4
Hosted other monitors
1
0
43
Nitrate: 1 Nitrite: .15
9/10 inch of rain on the
same day
Nitrate: 1 Nitrite: .15
NTUs < 10 Horses are
gone now
Nitrate: 0 Nitrite: 1 NTUs
< 10 No Horses
Nitrate: 1 Nitrite: 0 NTUs
< 10
4
-0
ec
ct
ov
D
1-
N
1-
O
1-
4
-0
ep
S
1-
4
-0
ug
A
1-
4
4
-0
ul
J
1-
4
-0
ay
4
r-0
-0
un
J
1-
M
1-
Ap
1-
4
4
-0
ar
M
104
bFe
1-
-0
an
J
1-
03
3
-0
3
-0
ec
ct
ov
D
1-
N
1-
O
1-
3
-0
ep
S
1-
3
-0
ug
A
1-
Sample Dates
% D.O.
Water Flow: Cubic Feet per Second - CFS
Disolved Oxygen (D.O.) and Water Temp. (F.)
Monitors:
Watershed:
Habitat Assessment:
Location:
Johnstown (Nederlo) Creek
Stream Name:
Monitors:
Watershed:
Habitat Assessment:
Location:
GPS:
Jane Keeley
Middle Kickapoo, Crawford County
N/A
Utica Township, Johnstown Road.
Latitude: N 43° 41.883'
Longitude: W 90° 52.291'
2004 Aug. Water Temp: 72 F.
Avg. Aug. Water Temp: 60.6 F. (all streams)
2004 Max. Water Temp: 72 F.
------- Biotic Index -------
2.5
140
Johnstown (Nederlo) Creek has
been monitored by KCWM since
November of 1999.
120
100
The average biotic index for this
creek for one sample is 2.5 which
rates as fair.
80
60
Johnstown Creek is classified by
the DNR as a Class II and III
Trout Stream.
40
20
0
4
l-0
Ju
7- -04
ay
M
7- -04
ar
M
7- 04
nJa
7- -03
ov
N
7- -03
p
Se
73
l-0
Ju
7- -03
ay
M
7- -03
ar
M
7- 03
nJa
7- -02
ov
N
7- -02
p
Se
72
l-0
Ju
7- -02
ay
M
7- -02
ar
M
7- -02
n
Ja
7- -01
ov
N 1
70
pSe
71
l-0
Ju
7- -01
ay
M
7- -01
ar
M
7- -01
n
Ja
7- -00
ov
N
7- -00
p
Se
70
l-0
Ju
7- -00
ay
M
7- -00
ar
M
7- 00
nJa
7- -99
ov
N
7-
Sample Dates
% D.O.
Water Flow CFS
Water Temp (F.)
Weather
Sunny
Turbidity
Inches
above
30
Turbidity
NTUs
< 10
MG/L
O2
12
%
Sat.
O2
104
Water
Temp
F.
46
pH
Level
8
Water
Flow
CF/S
12.0
Precip.
prev.
24 hrs.
0
Air
Temp
F.
52
6-Mar-00
Sunny
30
< 10
11
107
55
9
11.5
0
64
25-Aug-00
Mostly
Cloudy
30
< 10
10
113
68
8
8.4
0
81
10-Apr-01
Mostly
Cloudy
30
< 10
12
120
57
8
0.0
0
64
15-Sep-02
Sunny
30
< 10
13
130
57
8.5
6.7
0
72
Date
7-Nov-99
Time
15-Aug-03
17:00
Sunny
30
< 10
10
106
63
0
15.4
0
89
19-Aug-04
14:00
Sunny
30
< 10
11.5
129
72
8.5
9.2
0
57
- 13 -
Comments
Rain 4 days ago
Nitrate: 3, Nitrite: 0
Reads Creek
Stream Name:
Monitors:
Watershed:
Habitat Assessment:
Location:
GPS:
Gary Thompson and Jeremy Lopez
Middle Kickapoo, Crawford County
39 of 52, Rocky Bottom on 10/21
0.3 miles upstream from Hwy 131 bridge
Latitude: 43°26'36"
Longitude: 90°46'20"
2004 Aug. Water Temp: 57 F.
Avg. Aug. Water Temp: 60.6 F. (all streams)
2004 Max. Water Temp: 66 F.
------- Biotic Index -------
2.5
160
140
Reads Creek has been monitored
by KCWM since November of
2003.
120
100
The average biotic index for this
creek for one sample is 2.5 which
rates as fair.
80
60
40
Reads Creek is classified by the
DNR as a Class I Trout Stream.
20
0
J
1-
Water Temp (F.)
Turbidity
NTUs
MG/L
O2
%
Sat.
O2
Water
Temp
F.
pH
Level
Water
Flow
CF/S
Precip.
prev.
24 hrs.
Air
Temp
F.
< 10
12
92
38
8.2
19.8
0
40
Date
Time
10-Nov-03
13:00
18-Dec-03
12:00
Snowing
< 10
14
101
34
7.8
16.2
0.1
22
12-Jan-04
13:30
Partly
Sunny
< 10
14
101
35
7.7
13.8
0.1
38
25-Feb-04
12:45
Sunny
21
< 10
14.5
116
44
7.8
18.7
0
41
25-Mar-04
12:00
Mostly
Cloudy
21
< 10
12.5
104
48
7.8
19.9
0.02
61
23-Apr-04
10:30
Mostly
Cloudy
30
< 10
14
119
46
7.7
19.6
0
54
18-May-04
12:00
Partly
Sunny
30
< 10
14
140
58
7.7
24.8
0.01
66
30-Jun-04
18:00
30
< 10
10.5
109
66
7.6
47.3
0
78
22-Jul-04
10:00
30
< 10
11
112
60
7.8
35.6
0
78
A deep channel developed on
one side and silt on the right
side looking down stream.
24-Aug-04
9:30
30
< 10
10
100
57
7.7
35.1
0
72
Trace of precipitation the day
before. Nitrate: 1.5 Nitrite: 0
27-Sep-04
9:30
30
< 10
11
103
52
7.8
28.5
0
54
Nitrate: 2 Nitrite: 0
Trace of rain Nitrate: 1.5
Nitrite: 0
21-Oct-04
9:25
18-Nov-04
16:00
29-Dec-04
12:00
Weather
Mostly
Cloudy
Turbidity
Inches
above
Water Flow CFS
Partly
Sunny
Mostly
Cloudy
Sunny
Mostly
Cloudy
Mostly
Cloudy
Mostly
Cloudy
Comments
Water a reddish color and
turned darker. Turbidity
recorded at the end. Foam
bubbles covered 20% of the
300' stream section.
Spring melt changed the
course of stream. Move flow
section upstream about 20
feet. Much gravel was
deposited on bottom.
New techniques used: Slit
tennis ball instead of unslit,
factor for rocky bottom used for
stream flow and 20 feet
assessed instead of 10.
29
< 10
11.5
98
48
7.9
28.1
0
50
30
< 10
12.5
109
50
7.8
29.0
0
48
Nitrate 2.5 Nitrite 0
35
Creek Mostly Iced Over
Nitrates: 1.5 Nitrites: 0 NTUs <
10
30
< 10
14
101
- 14 -
35
7.7
0.0
0
5
-0
an
04
04
4
4
4
-0
ec
ct
ov
D
1-
N
1-
O
1-
-0
ep
S
1-
-0
ug
4
-0
4
-0
ul
ay
4
-0
un
A
1-
J
1-
J
1-
M
1-
4
-0
04
4
-0
ar
pr
A
1-
M
1-
eb
4
-0
an
F
1-
J
103
ec
03
ov
D
1-
N
1-
Sample Dates
% D.O.
Seas Branch
Stream Name:
Monitors:
Watershed:
Habitat Assessment:
Location:
GPS:
Terry Beck and Bruce Bland
Middle Kickapoo, Vernon County
N/A
West side of Avalanche
Latitude: 43° 36.120'
Longitude: 90° 47.290'
2004 Aug. Water Temp: N/A.
Avg. Aug. Water Temp: 60.6 F. (all streams)
2004 Max. Water Temp: 68 F.
------- Biotic Index -------
120
100
Seas Branch has been monitored
by KCWM since September of
1998.
80
The average biotic index for this
creek for all 2 samples is 2.4
which rates as fair.
60
40
Seas Branch is classified by the
DNR as a Class I Trout Stream.
20
0
Weather
MG/L
O2
%
Sat.
O2
Water
Temp
F.
pH
Level
Water
Flow
CF/S
Precip.
prev.
24 hrs.
Air
Temp
F.
26-Sep-03
17:00
Raining
30
< 10
10
98
57
6.0
0.2
60
2-Nov-03
16:30
Mostly
Cloudy
30
< 10
10
81
42
5.9
0.25
46
7-Dec-03
15:30
Mostly
Cloudy
30
< 10
10
79
40
12.3
0
37
1-Feb-04
16:00
Mostly
Cloudy
30
< 10
10
76
38
12.8
0
28
8-Mar-04
17:15
Mostly
Cloudy
27
< 10
10
79
40
4-Apr-04
18:00
Partly
Sunny
30
< 10
10
93
52
18-Jul-04
16:00
Partly
Sunny
23
< 10
8.5
91
68
- 15 -
Comments
Water flow increased
because we did it at a
different part of the
stream.
We measured stream
flow in a new place:
directly UNDER the
bridge. This is an
unobstructed, straight
run. I think we'll get
much better results
here. All 4 raedings
were pretty close to 12
seconds: more
consistent and 5 to 9
seconds faster than
when we measured
around a curve.
12.5
0.2
32
A great deal of erosion
around the bridge from
the flooding earlier in the
week.
7.2
12.4
0
58
The erosion around the
bridge is still bad.
8
11.1
0
78
The erosion around the
bridge has been
repaired.
4
Time
Turbidity
NTUs
Water Temp (F.)
0
g-
4
l-0
Date
Turbidity
Inches
above
Water Flow CFS
Au
1-
Ju
1-
4
4
-0
0
n-
ay
Ju
1-
M
1-
4
-0
4
r-0
ar
4
04
0
n-
Ap
1-
M
1-
bFe
1-
Ja
1-
3
-0
ec
3
3
-0
0
p-
ct
3
-0
ov
D
1-
N
1-
O
1-
Se
1-
Sample Dates
% D.O.
Trout Creek
Stream Name:
Monitors:
Watershed:
Habitat Assessment:
Location:
GPS:
Liz and Jerry Quebe
Middle Kickapoo, Crawford County
N/A
1.9 miles east of Hwy 61 on Trout Creek Rd
Latitude: 43°24'30"
Longitude: 90°43'56"
2004 Aug. Water Temp: 48 F.
Avg. Aug. Water Temp: 60.6 F. (all streams)
2004 Max. Water Temp: 60 F.
------- Biotic Index -------
2.7
140
120
Trout Creek has been monitored
by KCWM since August of 2003.
100
80
The average biotic index for this
creek over all 2 samples is 2.75
which rates as good.
60
40
Trout Creek is classified by the
DNR as a Class I Trout Stream.
20
0
N
1-
Air
Temp
F.
16:15
Sunny
44
< 10
11.5
100
50
0
4.1
0
66
20-Nov-03
26-Dec-03
14:15
13:45
Sunny
Sunny
44
44
< 10
< 10
13
13
110
97
45
37
7.5
7.5
5.3
4.6
0
0
63
37
18-Feb-04
15:00
Sunny
14
110
40
7.5
4.6
0
44
1-Mar-04
13:30
Mostly
Cloudy
13
113
47
7.5
22.7
0.01
48
23-Mar-04
10:35
Sunny
30
< 10
13.5
102
40
7
5.2
0
46
1-May-04
10:15
Sunny
29
< 10
14
119
46
8
5.3
0.3
50
16-Jun-04
16:30
Sunny
29
< 10
10.5
102
60
7.5
10.6
0.75
77
15-Jul-04
16:00
Sunny
28.5
< 10
11
112
60
7.5
8.4
0
82
21-Aug-04
9:15
Mostly
Cloudy
28.5
< 10
11.5
96
48
7.5
7.6
0
57
21-Sep-04
16:00
Sunny
28.5
< 10
11.5
107
56
8
6.5
0
83
20-Oct-04
14:00
Mostly
Cloudy
28.5
< 10
12
104
48
8
5.4
0
50
Comments
Not seeing much fish
activity. Biotic index turned
up three 1
Lots of fish activity in the
riffles
No fish activity
First thaw in weeks; ice &
snow on banks. Minimal fish
activity.
Sprinkles while monitoring.
Major thaw with lots of runoff from hills. Stream is high,
fast and murky. Lost turbidity
disk.
Spring run-off moved and
cleaned smaller cobble in
riffles. Wider areas
unchanged.
Trout plentiful; herons and
kingfishers sighted
Heavy rains/flooding over
past month have changed
creekbed, deposited more
rubble on bottom and
eroded banks.
Less scummy, less bright
green algae-like plant
growth
Nitrate 1.5; Nitrite 0
Precipitous drop in August
water temp (12 degrees)
after precipitous rise in June.
Past month caugth 3 browns
between 12-14
Herons seen regularly.
Algae has not returned. Very
little rain past three weeks.
Streambank restoration west
of site (cleared trees and
installed LUNKERS). Two
herons present more. Small
trout observed. Nitrate: 1
Nitrite: 0
04
4
-0
Precip.
prev.
24 hrs.
ov
ct
4
Water Temp (F.)
6-Oct-03
- 16 -
O
1-
Water
Flow
CF/S
-0
ep
pH
Level
4
Water
Temp
F.
S
1-
%
Sat.
O2
-0
ug
Water Flow CFS
A
1-
4
4
-0
ul
J
1-
-0
un
J
14
-0
ay
Weather
MG/L
O2
4
-0
Time
Turbidity
NTUs
pr
4
-0
Date
Turbidity
Inches
above
M
1-
A
1-
ar
4
04
eb
M
1-
F
1-
-0
an
J
103
03
3
-0
ec
ct
ov
D
1-
N
1-
O
1-
Sample Dates
% D.O.
Weister Creek
Stream Name:
Monitors:
Watershed:
Habitat Assessment:
Location:
Steve and Geri Hall
Middle Kickapoo, Vernon County
N/A
Along Wolf Valley Road about
400 ft. upstream CHY P
GPS:
N/A
2004 Aug. Water Temp: N/A
Avg. Aug. Water Temp: 60.6 F. (all streams)
2004 Max. Water Temp: 65 F.
------- Biotic Index -------
120
Weister Creek has been monitored
by KCWM since September of
1998.
100
80
A biotic index was not found for
this creek in the KCWM records.
60
Trout Creek is classified by the
DNR as a Class III Trout Stream.
40
20
0
Time
Weather
Partly
Sunny
Turbidity
NTUs
MG/L
O2
%
Sat.
O2
Water
Temp
F.
pH
Level
Water
Flow
CF/S
Water Temp (F.)
Precip.
prev.
24 hrs.
Air
Temp
F.
Comments
30
<10
9
84
52
8
15.7
0
48
Nitrate: 1 Nitrite: 0 NTUs
< 10
Sunny
30
<10
6
64
63
8
13.3
0
79
Nitrate: 1 Nitrite: 0 NTUs
< 10
14:10
Mostly
Cloudy
30
<10
7
76
65
8
17.7
0
80
Nitrate: 0 Nitrite: 1 NTUs
< 10
11-Jul-04
11:45
Mostly
Cloudy
30
<10
8
82
60
7.5
18.2
0
73
Nitrate: 1 Nitrite: .15
10-Oct-04
16:00
30
<10
9
90
57
8
13.0
0
75
Nitrate 2 Nitrite .3
14-Nov-04
13:45
Partly
Sunny
30
<10
13
105
42
8
13.7
0
52
Nitrate 2 Nitrite .15
29-Dec-04
11:45
Mostly
Cloudy
30
<10
8
68
46
8
13.0
0
32
Nitrate: 2 Nitrite: .15
NTUs < 10
29-Mar-04
17:00
28-Apr-04
17:00
8-Jun-04
- 17 -
5
-0
an
Date
Turbidity
Inches
above
Water Flow CFS
J
1-
04
4
-0
4
-0
ec
ct
ov
D
1-
N
1-
O
1-
4
-0
ep
S
1-
4
-0
ug
A
1-
4
-0
ul
J
1-
4
-0
ay
4
-0
un
J
1-
M
1-
4
r-0
4
-0
ar
Ap
1-
M
1-
Sample Dates
% D.O.
Summary of Data for 2004
Temperature
Maximum temperature recorded in 2004 on streams with at least 4 samples taken. The streams are listed in
order left to right from nearest the headwaters to nearest the mouth of the Kickapoo.
Trout mortality may occur when temperatures reach 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Three streams monitored in 2004
reached 68 degrees or higher.
2004 Maximum Temperature (F.)
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Brush
Creek
Billings
Creek
Weister
Creek
Seas
Branch
Bear
Creek
- 18 -
Elk Run
Reads
Creek
Trout
Creek
Halls
Branch
Dissolved Oxygen
Maximum and minimum dissolved oxygen readings recorded in 2004 on streams with at least 4 samples taken.
The streams are listed in order left to right from nearest the headwaters to nearest the mouth of the Kickapoo.
Low oxygen levels maybe of concern for streams when levels drop below 10 MG/L (milligrams per liter).
Almost all streams had a minimum level of dissolved oxygen below 10 MG/L.
Maximum D.O. Reading
Minimum D.O. Reading
18.0
16.0
14.0
12.0
10.0
8.0
6.0
4.0
2.0
0.0
Brush
Creek
Billings
Creek
Weister
Creek
Seas
Branch
Bear
Creek
- 19 -
Elk Run
Reads
Creek
Trout
Creek
Halls
Branch
2004 Data Compared with 1998 & 1999 Data
1998-1999 data is the first data collected by the Kickapoo Citizen Water Monitors.
** Please Note: This is not a scientific comparison!!!
Dissolved Oxygen
Maximum, minimum and average dissolved oxygen readings recorded in 2004 on streams with at least 4
samples taken compared with the same streams in the original data report from the Kickapoo Citizen Water
Monitors in 1999.
16
14
12
Max. D.O. 2004
Max. D.O. 1998-99
Avg. D.O. 2004
Avg. D.O. 1998-99
Min. D.O. 2004
10
8
6
Min. D.O. 1998-99
4
2
0
Billings Creek
Weister Creek
Bear Creek
16
14
12
10
Max. D.O. 2004
Max. D.O. 1998-99
8
6
4
2
0
Billings Creek
Weister Creek
- 20 -
Bear Creek
Avg. D.O. 2004
Avg. D.O. 1998-99
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Billings Creek
Weister Creek
Bear Creek
Min. D.O. 2004
Min. D.O. 1998-99
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Billings Creek
Weister Creek
- 21 -
Bear Creek
Discharge
The average discharge of water recorded in cubic feet per second from the first data report issued in 1999
compared with data from 2004. Please note that exact monitoring locations may have changed as well as the
date recorded thus affecting the amount of discharge recorded.
Average Flow CFS 2004
Average Flow CFS 1998-99
45.00
40.00
35.00
30.00
25.00
20.00
15.00
10.00
5.00
0.00
Billings Creek
Weister Creek
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Bear Creek
Halls Branch
Conclusions from the 2004 Data
** Please Note: These conclusions are not based upon formal expertise or scientific rigor.
If you have formal training to interpret this data and would like to assist us in drawing conclusions from this
data or future data, please contact the KCWM at 637-3615.
Overall the streams monitored in 2004 appeared to be fairly healthy. There were no biotic indexes recorded
less than fair and the habitat assessments that were accomplished generally rated high.
Data was submitted for 16 of the 43 Kickapoo tributary basins identified by the DNR. That is 37% of the
tributaries monitored. Because not all sites are monitored on a regular basis the actual scope of these
conclusions is less than this number might suggest. With more consistent future data, we will be able to make
stronger interpretations and conclusions.
Temperature
Overall the water was cool in the summer with only three streams monitored in 2004 reaching 68 degrees. For
the most part the streams were also kept warm in the winter from strong spring flow. A majority of streams
monitored had collection dates during the winter and only three streams dipped below 34 degrees Fahrenheit.
They were Brush Creek at 32 and 33 degrees, Billings Creek hit 32 degrees and Bear Creek got to 34 degrees
during the winter.
A more in-depth analysis of stream temperatures using water loggers at KCWM streams in the Kickapoo
Watershed is being facilitated by Cindy Koperski, DNR water biologist in La Crosse. We hope to get
professional analysis for the 2005 data report.
Dissolved Oxygen
Overall the dissolved oxygen levels remained fairly high with levels consistently above 10 mg/liter except for a
few noted exceptions that were sampled after storm events. I think the difference indicated by the comparison
to the data from the 1998-1999 report reflects the more frequent monitoring in 2004 and the monitoring of
storm events as well as baseline.
Nitrates and Nitrites
Nitrate levels ranged between 0 and 3 mg/liter indicating no significant problems in 2004. High nitrate levels
can contribute to eutrophication, the excessive growth of plants and algae leading to decreased oxygen levels.
As a general guideline, nitrate levels above 10 mg/liter are considered unsafe for drinking water.
Flow
Overall flow stayed rather consistent throughout the year with some exceptions during storm events and the
spring thaw. When flow was compared to data from the 1998-1999 report, it was consistent for two of the four
streams. The two that varied, Weister Creek and Bear Creek will need further investigation to determine if the
sampling location has changed or if there is another explanation.
pH Levels
The range of pH was between 7 and 9 for all the streams monitored indicating that water acidity does not
appear to be a problem in the Kickapoo Watershed.
For more information about this data or to become a Kickapoo Citizen Water Monitors, please contact us at 637-3615, 124
½ S. Main St. Viroqua, WI 54665 or vsn@frontiernet.net.
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