As a result, water quality and in-stream habitat have improved. Trout have been found in the stream below Verona. It has been proposed to discharge treated effluent from a closed Dane County landfill to the creek. No evaluation of the effect of such a discharge on stream water quality, habitat, and fisheries has been conducted. The creek's drainage area includes much of the southwest side of Madison as well as most of Verona.
Urban runoff poses a significant threat to Badger Mill Creek.
Urban growth has already increased peak stormwater runoff and flows from impervious surfaces. Increased amounts of sediment and other pollutants entering Badger Mill Creek and ultimately the Sugar River can be expected if Madison, Verona, and Dane County do not take appropriate action. If no action is taken, in 20 years Badger Mill Creek could become nothing more than a stormwater conduit to the Sugar River for the cities of Madison and Verona. Stormwater planning for this area should include addressing reduction of peak runoff rates from existing developed areas as well as keeping runoff rates from future developments at the pre-development runoff rate. Henry Creek is a very small spring fed tributary to the Sugar River near the community of Basco.