Perch Lake, Upper La Crosse River Watershed (BL06)
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Perch Lake, Upper La Crosse River Watershed (BL06)
Perch Lake (1659900)
34.67 Acres
Natural Community
Natural communities (stream and lake natural communities) represent model results that use predicted flow and temperature based on landscape features and related assumptions. Ranges of flow and temperature associated with specific aquatic life communities (fish, macroinvertebrates) help biologists identify appropriate resource management goals. Wisconsin Natural Communities.
Impounded Flowing Water
Year Last Monitored
This is the most recent date of monitoring data stored in SWIMS. Additional surveys for fish and habitat may be available subsequent to this date.
2024
Good
 
Monroe
Trout Water 
Trout Waters are represented by Class I, Class II or Class III waters. These classes have specific ecological characteristics and management actions associated with them. For more information regarding Trout Classifications, see the Fisheries Trout Class Webpages.
No
Outstanding or Exceptional 
Wisconsin has designated many of the state's highest quality waters as Outstanding Resource Waters (ORWs) or Exceptional Resource Waters (ERWs). Waters designated as ORW or ERW are surface waters which provide outstanding recreational opportunities, support valuable fisheries and wildlife habitat, have good water quality, and are not significantly impacted by human activities. ORW and ERW status identifies waters that the State of Wisconsin has determined warrant additional protection from the effects of pollution. These designations are intended to meet federal Clean Water Act obligations requiring Wisconsin to adopt an 'antidegradation' policy that is designed to prevent any lowering of water quality - especially in those waters having significant ecological or cultural value.
No
Impaired Water 
A water is polluted or 'impaired' if it does not support full use by humans, wildlife, fish and other aquatic life and it is shown that one or more of the pollutant criteria are not met.
No

Fish and Aquatic Life

Current Use
The use the water currently supports. This is not a designation or classification; it is based on the current condition of the water. Information in this column is not designed for, and should not be used for, regulatory purposes.
Impounded Flowing Water
This classification includes waterbodies created by dams (mill ponds, reservoirs, flowages, and other impoundments) with a residence time of 14 days or more (under summer (June – Sept) mean low flow conditions with a 1 in 10 year recurrence interval (US EPA 2000)). Many natural lakes also have dams or water level control structures. However, to be included in the Impounded Flowing Waters category, the dam or water level control structure, must account for more than half of a waterbody’s maximum depth. Impoundments with a residence time of less than 14 days should be covered under the rivers and stream assessment methodology process.
Attainable Use
The use that the investigator believes the water could achieve through managing "controllable" sources. Beaver dams, hydroelectric dams, low gradient streams, and naturally occurring low flows are generally not considered controllable. The attainable use may be the same as the current use or it may be higher.
Default FAL
Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.
Designated Use
This is the water classification legally recognized by NR102 and NR104, Wis. Adm. Code. The classification determines water quality criteria and effluent limits. Waters obtain designated uses through classification procedures.
Default FAL
Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.

Overview

Approximately two miles downstream of the Angelo Pond dam is Perch Lake. This lake was created by a dam built in 1865 and is currently owned by the City of Sparta. The city leases the dam to a private company for the production of hydroelectric power. Similar to the Angelo Pond dam, water levels at this dam are managed as run of river. This dam creates a 33 acre impoundment that is surrounded by a public golf course and a city park. A boat ramp is located in the city park. The lake was hydraulically dredged in the early 1980’s which increased the average depth to between six and nine feet. However, the benefits of the lake dredging were short lived. By 1992, the community began assessing lake management tools to reduce the nuisance aquatic plants and shallow depths. The lake was drawn down in the winter of 1999 to prepare for mechanical dredging in 2000. The lake could not be drawn down low enough to allow sufficient drying of the sediments to support large equipment. Consequently, the lake was filled in 2000 and hydraulic dredging was then undertaken. Sediment removed from the lake was placed in certain areas of the adjacent golf course. Due to the drawdown in 1999, stocking of Perch Lake will take place over the next few years with northern pike, largemouth bass and assorted panfish.

Part of the recent dredging project included the excavation of a sediment trap in the La Crosse River immediately upstream of Perch Lake. The City of Sparta must monitor this trap for sedimentation and dredge it on a regular basis in order to reduce the frequency of expensive lake dredging. A self-help volunteer monitor would be beneficial in determining water quality of Perch Lake. Involving local citizens in monitoring and understanding the issues affecting Perch Lake would be beneficial to all involved. A local school may be interested in conducting both the sediment trap and water quality monitoring as part of a long term curriculum. Perch Lake is considered a high priority to receive a lakes planning grant to assess nonpoint source pollution affecting the lake.

Date  2002

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

A soft water drainage impoundment located on the La Crosse River. The water is alkaline, has a light brown color and a low transparency. The dam is owned by the City of Sparta and it has an 8 foot height. Common fish species taken by anglers are largemouth bass and bluegill. Other species present include northern pike, black crappie, pumpkinseed, bullhead, and brown and rainbow trout. Carp are also present but are not a problem at present. A chemical fish eradication project was conducted in 1957 to reduce, and if possible eliminate, carp and white sucker. Aquatic vegetation has been a problem and control measures have been taken. A public park is located on the lake and boat launching facilities are available. Migrating waterfowl use the lake.

Source: 1969, Surface Water Resources of Monroe County Perch Lake, T17N, R4W, S13 Surface Acres = 32.6, S.D.F. = 3.00, Maximum Depth = 10 feet.

Date  1969

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Perch Lake, Upper La Crosse River Watershed (BL06) Fish and Aquatic LifePerch Lake, Upper La Crosse River Watershed (BL06) RecreationPerch Lake, Upper La Crosse River Watershed (BL06) Fish Consumption

Condition

Wisconsin has over 84,000 miles of streams, 15,000 lakes and milllions of acres of wetlands. Assessing the condition of this vast amount of water is challenging. The state's water monitoring program uses a media-based, cross-program approach to analyze water condition. An updated monitoring strategy (2015-2020) is now available. Compliance with Clean Water Act fishable, swimmable standards are located in the Executive Summary of Water Condition in 2018. See also the 'monitoring and projects' tab.

Reports

2018 List of Healthy (Category 2) Waters
Final Assessment Data from TSI Package and Assessment Units 2018
An ordinance to regulate water traffic, boating and water sports upon the waters of Perch Lake and prescribing penalties for the violation thereof
Lake Bathymetry Map for Perch Lake

Management Goals

Wisconsin's Water Quality Standards provide qualitative and quantitative goals for waters that are protective of Fishable, Swimmable conditions [Learn more]. Waters that do not meet water quality standards are considered impaired and restoration actions are planned and carried out until the water is once again fishable and swimmable

Management goals can include creation or implementation of a Total Maximum Daily Load analysis, a Nine Key Element Plan, or other restoration work, education and outreach and more. If specific recommendations exist for this water, they will be displayed below online.

Monitoring

Monitoring the condition of a river, stream, or lake includes gathering physical, chemical, biological, and habitat data. Comprehensive studies often gather all these parameters in great detail, while lighter assessment events will involve sampling physical, chemical and biological data such as macroinvertebrates. Aquatic macroinvertebrates and fish communities integrate watershed or catchment condition, providing great insight into overall ecosystem health. Chemical and habitat parameters tell researchers more about human induced problems including contaminated runoff, point source dischargers, or habitat issues that foster or limit the potential of aquatic communities to thrive in a given area. Wisconsin's Water Monitoring Strategy was recenty updated.

Grants and Management Projects

Project Name (Click for Details)Year Started
CITY OF SPARTA: Perch Lake Rehabilitation Planning Study1995
CITY OF SPARTA: Perch Lake Sediment Core Sampling and Analysis1996
Fish Propagation Actions2001

Monitoring Projects

WBICOfficial Waterbody NameStation IDStation NameEarliest Fieldwork DateLatest Fieldwork DateView StationView Data
1659900Perch Lake10004114Perch Lake8/8/20019/2/2016MapData
1659900Perch Lake423124Perch Lake - Deep Hole7/24/19732/6/1975MapData
1659900Perch Lake10017877Perch Lake -- Access8/19/20188/19/2018MapData
1659900Perch Lake10041437Perch Lake - Boat Landing6/6/20246/6/2024MapData

Watershed Characteristics

Perch Lake is located in the Upper La Crosse River watershed which is 126.12 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (62.40%), grassland (11.90%) and a mix of agricultural (9.80%) and other uses (16.10%). This watershed has 167.76 stream miles, 207.50 lake acres and 4,875.27 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked High for runoff impacts on streams, Not Ranked for runoff impacts on lakes and Medium for runoff impacts on groundwater and therefore has an overall rank of Medium. This value can be used in ranking the watershed or individual waterbodies for grant funding under state and county programs.However, all waters are affected by diffuse pollutant sources regardless of initial water quality. Applications for specific runoff projects under state or county grant programs may be pursued. For more information, go to surface water program grants.

Natural Community

Perch Lake is considered a Impounded Flowing Water under the state's Natural Community Determinations.

Natural communities (stream and lake natural communities) represent model results and DNR staff valiation processes that confirm or update predicted conditions based on flow and temperature modeling from historic and current landscape features and related variables. Predicated flow and temperatures for waters are associated predicated fish assemblages (communities). Biologists evaluate the model results against current survey data to determine if the modeled results are corect and whether biological indicators show water quaity degradation. This analysis is a core component of the state's resource management framework. Wisconsin's Riverine Natural Communities.

This classification includes waterbodies created by dams (mill ponds, reservoirs, flowages, and other impoundments) with a residence time of 14 days or more (under summer (June – Sept) mean low flow conditions with a 1 in 10 year recurrence interval (US EPA 2000)). Many natural lakes also have dams or water level control structures. However, to be included in the Impounded Flowing Waters category, the dam or water level control structure, must account for more than half of a waterbody’s maximum depth. Impoundments with a residence time of less than 14 days should be covered under the rivers and stream assessment methodology process.