Project Chief: William J. Rose
Location: Selected lakes in Wisconsin
Project Number: 9KB25
Period of Project: June 1983–Continuing
Cooperators:
In the 2003 water year:
Big Cedar, Booth, Lac La Belle, Little Cedar, Little Green, Lauderdale, Middle Genesee, Okauchee, Potter, Powers, Waterford Waterways, and Wind Lake Districts; townships of Minocqua (Kawaguesaga and Minocqua Lakes) and Springfield (East and West Twin Lakes); and Village of Oconomowoc Lake (Oconomowoc Lake).
In the 2004 water year:
Big Cedar, Lauderdale, Little Cedar, Middle Genesee, Okauchee, Potter, Powers, Waterford Waterways, and Wind Lake Districts; townships Auburn (Forest Lake) and Springfield (East and West Twin Lakes); and village of Oconomowoc Lake (Oconomowoc Lake).
Problem
Lakes are a significant and valuable resource in the State of Wisconsin and are experiencing increased pressure from development and use. Many lakes do not have adequate water-quality information available for management of the lake or to assess water-quality trends. Hence, their water quality needs to be assessed and documented.
Objective
Objectives of this project are to: (1) determine the current water quality and trophic status of lakes, (2) assess the condition of specific lakes in comparison with other lakes of the same type in the region, and (3) build a quantitative database so that any detrimental changes or trends that might occur in the future can be detected quickly and evaluated objectively.
 Approach
For most lakes in the program water quality will be monitored in February, April, June, July, and August. Depth profiles of dissolved-oxygen concentration, temperature, pH, and specific conductance will be determined. In April, the lakes will be sampled for analysis of the major anions and cations, nitrogen, and dissolved phosphorus. Secchi-depth measurements will be made for all months (except February), and total phosphorus and chlorophyll a samples will be collected and analyzed. Lake stage will be measured at each of the five visits to the lake. For some lakes, such as those with multiple basins, more than one site on the lake is monitored.
Progress (July 2003–June 2004)
Data were collected, published, and archived for 17 lakes during water year 2003. The locations of lakes included in the monitoring program for water years 2003–2004 are shown on the map above.
Plans (July 2004–June 2005)
Thirteen lakes will be monitored in water year 2004. Data collected during the year will be compiled and transmitted to the respective cooperators. The data will be prepared for publication in the annual report “Water Quality and Lake-Stage Data for Wisconsin Lakes, Water Year 2004.”
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