WHITEFISH LAKE CONSERVATION ORGANIZATION, IN: LMI-Whitefish Lake Diagnostic & Feasibility Study

The Whitefish Lake Conservation Organization, in cooperation with the US Geological Survey, Wis. Dept. of Nat. Res., and private consultants, will conduct a comprehensive diagnostic/feasibility study of Silver Lake and it's watershed and develop a lake management plan.

The project includes the following activities; (1) the USGS will conduct an assessment of the lake's hydrology and water quality and model lake responses to management scenarios, (2) the DNR [Integ. Sci. Serv.] will conduct a lake bottom sediment core study to determine historical conditions and changes in lake water quality over time, (3) consultant Susan Cray Borman will conduct an aquatic plant survey and develop management recommendations, and (4) consultant Eric Olson will coordinate and compile the results of these studies into planning reports and action plans as well as provide for project public communication, input (through surveys and working groups) and education.

Project deliverables include: l. Detailed hydrologic and nutrient budgets, including simulations of alternative development scenarios in a published technical report. 2. Detailed aquatic plant survey and report. 3. A lake core paleoecological study and report. 4. Two interim planning reports synthesizing and summarizing the findings of the other studies, and 5. A comprehensive lake management plan for Whitefish Lake.

Specific conditions for this project include: The installation of all stream and lake gauging stations must receive the approval and/or permit from the Department of Natural Resources water regulation section.

The Department of Natural Resources will be provided with electronic and paper copies of the annual and final reports of the results of this study and the lake management plan. The project results will be disseminated to the public by newsletter(s), public meeting(s), and local newspaper articles.

Activities

• Partnership Project
• Diagnostic/Feasibility Assessment

Final Report and Products

• Final Report on the Zooplankton Community Composition in Whitefish Lake [PDF 1 MB]
• Paleoecological Study of Whitefish Lake Douglas County [PDF 777 KB]
• Water Quality and Hydrology of Whitefish (Bardon) Lake, Douglas County, WI
• Whitefish Lake Watershed 2005 Interviews with Property Owners [PDF 4 MB]
• Whitefish Lake Watershed Management Plan [PDF 733 KB]

People/Organizations Involved

• Whitefish Lake Conservation Organization Inc