A number of detailed environmental studies are now being conducted in association with efforts to relicense the Lake Wissota hydro electric dam. (FERC project no. 2567). These studies are being administered by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Water Resources, Western District, through EPA Lakes Diagnostic Grant #CL995799-0 1-0 and Wis. Lakes Planning Grant #3007-1. The individual studies are being coordinated as a comprehensive Lake Planning Project, to document the biological effects of lake draw-down on Little Lake Wissota and Moon Bay, and to assess water quality impacts from land use in the contributing watersheds. Individual segments of the Lake Planning Project are being conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Northern States Power, Winona State University and the Chippewa County Land Conservation Department (LCD). Major components of the project include: 1. An inventory of land use and non-point source pollution in the Lower Yellow River and Paint Creek watersheds; 2. Water quality monitoring, conducted at 4-6 key sites on Lake Wissota and on tributary streams in the Lower Yellow River Basin; 3. A revised bathymetric map for the lake; 4. A hydrologic budget for Lake Wissota, Moon Bay and Little Lake Wissota; 5. A water quality model, to estimate a phosphorus budget for Moon Bay and Little Lake Wissota; 6. A survey of benthic invertebrate populations; and 7. An evaluation of fish stranding in draw-down areas.

Conduct watershed land use and nonpoint source pollution assessment for the Lower Yellow River watershed using remote sensing.Develop new bathymetric map of the lake and comparing it to 1940 map to identify areas and amounts of sedimentation which has occurred since 1940.Hold public informational meetings during all phases of study to gather comments on management recommendations.Disseminate project information to the public by public meeting.

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