In this document, we report findings of an environmental information review and baseline water quality monitoring on Rice Lake and Echo Lake in Iron County, Wisconsin. This document also forms the initial adaptive management plan for these lakes. This work was conducted under contract with the Rice Lake Property Owners Association. This organization is the sponsor for the Lake Planning Grant provided by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). Partners in this project include the Rice Lake Property Owners Association, the Echo Lake Association, the University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension Service (UWEX), the WDNR, and White Water Associates, Inc.

The Rice Lake Property Owners Association in collaboration with Echo Lake Association, Iron County Lakes Alliance, Northwest Regional Planning Commission and ABDI Land and Water Conservation Department is sponosring a project to create a comprehensive lake management plan that addresses issues of decreased water clarity, increased aquatic plant growth, public opinion and future development pressures. All existing lake data as well as historic photographs, maps, etc. will be collected by lake association volunteers. Volunteers will also help the consultant conduct water quality monitoring. The Northwest Regional Planning Commission will prepare base maps of the two lakes including: existing land use, land ownership, soils, slope, groundwater and other related natural features. The Iron County UW-Extension (with the help of the lake associations) will prepare and distribute a lake opinion survey to all lake property owners. UW-Extension will analyze the results and share them with the lake associations and the public.