White Lake, Waupaca County, Wisconsin, is a shallow relatively large groundwater drainage lake which despite its location in a primarily agricultural watershed, retains good water quality with respect to all parameters measured including transparency and water column nutrient content. These same qualities, however, provide excellent habitat for aquatic macrophyte growth. Macrophyte growth in White Lake currently occurs at nuisance levels during the open water season and causes, even with aeration, dissolved oxygen depletion over much of the lake during decomposition under ice in winter. White Lake, even if subjected to costly and drastic habitat alteration (e.g. extensive dredging), will likely continue to be a very productive habitat for aquatic macrophytes. Riparian landowner diligence with respect to land use/care and septic tank maintenance should be emphasized to maintain water quality. This and physical or mechanical control of macrophytes, to best provide a recreationally usable and aesthetic resource, are recommended as realistic and achievable management objectives. Water quality maintenance recommendations are common sense approaches aimed at control of nutrient and sediment inputs. Macrophyte control methods will eventually have to be intense and widespread, but must be designed to 1) minimize dispersal of current (bushy pondweed) and potential (Eurasian Milfoil) nuisance species and 2) maximize retrieval efficiency of cut organic debris. A seasonal and localized harvest strategy is recommended for the near term. "Demonstration plots", with implications for a combination of control techniques, are recommended to evaluate and ultimately select cost-effective long term management that would minimize potential complications related to dispersal, succession, and higher competitiveness of nuisance species.

Assemble and review existing data on the lake and watershed. Define data gaps from above information and gater additional data to include: a) warer quality sampling at 2 sites for all or some of the parameters in table 1 of the application, water qualityanalysis to be performed by the State Lab of Hygiene, b) cored sediment sample to be analyzed for % organics, total solids, total-P, ammonia N, Kjeldahl N. Develop and implement public involvement program. Prepare land use map for lake and watershed.Identify and evaluate existing ordinances related to nonpoint source pollution control. Develop draft report for public review and comment. Information will disseminated through newsletter mailings, public meetings, summary report mailings, localnewspaper articles, and a comprehensive management plan. Project results will be reposited at UW-Extension, Waupaca County Courthouse and Royalton Town Hall.

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