Soil erosion is known problem in the watershed. Recent reconnaissance and monitoring of streams in the watershed revealed significant polluted runoff impacts. There has been extensive ditching in many of the upper reaches of streams and severe sedimentation problems. Municipal wastewater dischargers in this watershed are the village of Fall River and the Wisconsin Academy located between Columbus and Fall River. Babcock Creek Babcock Creek is a tributary to the North Branch of Crawfish River above Lazy Lake.
Additional monitoring is needed to fully assess the biological potential of the stream.
Problems with agricultural nonpoint pollution, especially barnyard runoff and cropland erosion, have degraded its quality. Sedimentation in the streambed is a problem. Portions of the upper or headwater reaches have been channelized and wetlands have been drained for agricultural production. These activities have resulted in holes formed by rocky substrate being filled and habitat lost in slower flowing portions of the river. The North Branch Crawfish River enters the main branch just below the Village of Fall River.