Barron County, Wisconsin
LC05
2079700
285.89
Water is impaired due to one or more pollutants and associated quality impacts.
Notes
Lower Turtle Lake was put on the Impaired Waters List in the 2010 cycle for phosphorus and excess algal growth. Evaluations every two-year cycle from 2012 to 2024 confirmed the phosphorus and algal problem. Lower Turtle Lake is covered by "A Water Quality Strategy for the Land and Waters of the Red Cedar River Basin"Pollutant
Total Phosphorus
Listed For
Recreation
Impairments
Excess Algal Growth, Eutrophication
Current Use
Restricted Recreation
Listing Status
303d Listed
Attainable Use
Recreation
Priority
Low
Designated Use
Recreation
303(d) ID
2010-18
Listing Date
4/1/2010
Impaired Water Notes
Recommended for 2010 listing due to elevated phosphorus and trends showing steadily increasing chlorophyll a and blue green algae blooms. The average Total Phosphorus concentration (2004-2008) is .0579 mg/l, which exceeds the listing threshold for shallow lowland lakes of .04 mg/l. Although the average TSI-chlorophyll is 66, putting it in the Fair category for a shallow lowland lake, there is considerable evidence that this lake is showing a clear trend of decline. Per Kris Larsen, Northern Region Fisheries Technician, Lower Turtle Lake used to be a quite clear water lake in the 1970s, but is becoming increasingly green with algae. Per Dave Blumer, Lakes Scientist with Short, Elliot and Henrickson consultants in Rice Lake, the lake has been experiencing blue green algae blooms over the past several years, and macrophyte density has been declining (though Curly Leaf Pondweed is also present). He reports that Citizen Monitoring Data shows a steady increase in chlorophyll a levels; in 1994 chlorophyll a levels were at around 20 mg/l but currently are around 45 mg/l, more than doubling over the last 15 years (though 1993 showed abnormally high levels for that time frame as well). In 2006-2008 Citizen Monitors reporting on perceived water quality consistently rate the lake as 'Enjoyment somewhat impaired due to algae'. There have been several Lake Management Planning Grants on this lake, which have identified some agricultural sources & projects to address them. A Lake Protection Grant has been developed and is expected to start soon to work with landowners throughout the watershed. Since the lakes were clear in the 1970s with a gradual change to algae blooms, the pollutants are likely from documented agricultural inputs, old septic systems, and shoreland development than from natural sources. In addition, sediment loading from tributaries may be a problem.
Date
10/23/2009
Impaired Water Notes
This water was assessed during the 2012 listing cycle, and total phosphorus and chlorophyll sample data exceed 2012 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use but not for Fish & Aquatic Life use; therefore the water’s impairment for Fish & Aquatic Life use is removed and impairment for Recreation use is added.
Date
6/9/2011
Impaired Water Notes
This water was assessed during the 2014 listing cycle; total phosphorus and chlorophyll sample data exceed 2014 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use. Total phosphorus and chlorophyll data do not exceed Fish and Aquatic Life thresholds.
Date
3/24/2014
Impaired Water Notes
This water was assessed during the 2016 listing cycle; total phosphorus and chlorophyll sample data exceeded 2016 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use, but did not exceed Fish and Aquatic Life thresholds.
Date
10/9/2015
Impaired Water Notes
This water was assessed during the 2020 listing cycle; total phosphorus and chlorophyll sample data exceeded 2020 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use and Aquatic Life use. Eutrophication was added as an impairment in 2020 and this lake was changed to category 5W because the water is covered by "A Water Quality Strategy for the Land and Waters of the Red Cedar River Basin"
Date
7/24/2019
Impaired Water Notes
This water was assessed during the 2022 listing cycle; total phosphorus and chlorophyll sample data exceeded 2022 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use and Aquatic Life use.
Date
5/25/2021