Walworth
No
No
No
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
Whitewater Lake’s watershed is 5458 acres in size. In 2000 land uses in the watershed were: Agricultural 45%, Woodlands 21%, Urban 15% (10% of which is residential, 0.3% commercial). Part of the lake is within the Southern Unit of the Kettle Morraine, and part has private frontage that is developed. The majority of Whitewater Lake’s surface area consists of shallow bays; the deep holes are only about 1/10 of surface area.
Date 2009
Author Aquatic Biologist
Historical Description
Source: 1961, Surface Water Resources of Walworth County,WI: WI-DNR Whitewater Lake, T-3, 4-N, R-15-E
A medium sized lake created by impounding the outlet of three small basins, managed for pan fish, largemouth bass, and northern pike; bullheads are also abundant. Carp are present but not in problem proportions. Rough fish removal operations are conducted periodically. Bullheads, bluegills, and black crappies have given the lake an excellent fishing reputation. Three Kettle Moraine Lake basins, Round, Bass, and Whitewater, were impounded originally in 1927 to form one take, Upper Whitewater (10 foot head). Legal action later forced removal of impounding gates, until the county acquired the dam site and created a park in 1946. The water level has never reached the height of the top of the dam. Presently the lake lies wholly within the boundaries of the Kettle Moraine State Forest and much frontage is state owned. Adequate access for boat launching is available from an old town road crossing the lake bed, and fishing, picnicking, and camping opportunities are offered by state land. Many shore dwellings have been constructed at the water line, and detract from the aesthetic value of the area. On the south end and in the east lobe nearly 100 acres of deep marsh may be found. Though the lake is large, boating is a problem because of its irregular shape. Several small (less than 3 acres) marsh ponds and artificial ponds dot the wetland areas and are often named by their owners. Most of these ponds are or. were managed as private fish hatcheries for warm water fishes (largemouth bass, pan fish) and are so indicated in Figure 2. Discussion of their potential will be limited to the review of private fish hatcheries in this county.
Surface Acres = 640, S.D.F. = 2.80, Maximum Depth = 38 feet.
Date 1961
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
General Condition
Whitewater Lake (WBIC 816800) was placed on the impaired waters list for total phosphorus and excess algal growth in 2010. This water was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; new total phosphorus and chlorophyll sample data were clearly below the 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use and the Fish and Aquatic Life use. This water was meeting these designated uses and was not considered impaired.
Date 2017
Author Ashley Beranek
General Condition
Whitewater Lake Beach was assessed for the 2018 listing cycle; E. coli data sample data were clearly below the 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use. This beach was meeting this designated use and was not considered impaired.
Date 2017
Author Ashley Beranek
General Condition
Whitewater Lake has elevated phosphorus resulting in low dissolved oxygen and algae blooms, likely affecting fish & aquatic life. Although the average TSI based on chlorophyll a (2005-2008) is 59, which places it in the ‘Fair’ category for a Deep Lowland lake, the average Total Phosphorus concentration (2005-2008) is .035 mg/l, which exceeds the TP impairment threshold of .03 mg/l for Deep Lowland lakes. Summer DO profiles showed less than 5 mg/l at 15 foot depths and below. Per the biologist, the DO drops more quickly and the thermocline is shallower here than in her other comparable lakes; in her best professional judgment the DO should not be dropping to below 5 mg/l before 18 feet. The biologist has also received frequent phone calls about algae blooms on this lake from the public. Citizen monitors frequently ranked their perception of water quality as ‘Enjoyment somewhat impaired due to algae.
During 2008-2009 the lake was devoid of macrophytes. The majority of Whitewater Lake’s surface area consists of shallow bays; the deep holes are only about 1/10 of surface area. Recommendations for future monitoring include documentation of algae blooms, chlorophyll a sampling, and additional discussion on the appropriate natural community based on the topography of the lake. Nonpoint sources are the primary contributors to Whitewater Lake. In 2000 land uses in the watershed were: Agricultural 45%, Woodlands 21%, Urban 15% (10% of which is residential, 0.3% commercial). Part of the lake is within the Southern Unit of the Kettle Morraine, and part has private frontage that is developed.
Date 2010
Author Aquatic Biologist
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
Recommendations
Aquatic Plant Monitoring or Survey
Monitor plants on Whitewater Lake
Water Quality Modeling
Social Survey of Residents or Users
Best Management Practices, Implement
Partnering with property owners, Whitewater-Rice Lake Management District is sponsoring a grant to implement water quality and habitat best practices from Wisconsin's Healthy Lakes Implementation Plan. Best practices, including fish sticks, 350 sq. ft. native plantings, diversions, rock infiltration, and/or rain gardens, will be designed and installed according to the Healthy Lakes fact sheets, technical guidance and grant application.
Aquatic Plant Management Plan
The Whitewater-Rice Lakes Management District will hire a contractor to conduct a plant survey and update the aquatic plant management plan for Whitewater-Rice Lakes. The plant survey will include a point intercept survey totaling 362 points for Rice Lake and 625 points for Whitewater Lake.
Habitat Restoration - Shoreland
Walworth County will continue the Walworth County Lakes Specialist position for one year. The Lakes Specialist will provide educational information to lake residents regarding shoreline stabilization and shoreline restoration. The Lakes Specialist will also design shoreline restoration projects for interested landowners, provide technical assistance to contractors and hold workshops on shoreland restoration.
Protect Riparian or Shorelands
Walworth County will implement the Shoreland Protection Initiative project that includes: 1. A baseline lakeshore inventory; 2. ten lakshore demonstration sites; 3. the preparation of lake lawn and yard nutrient management plans; 4. fact sheets on lakeshore stabilization, shoreland buffers, shoreland regulations and lawn care; 5. an annual lakeshore inventory and distribution of shoreland regulation materials; 6. formation of a Walworth Co. Lakes Association and meetings with and newsletter pertaining to Walworth Co. lakes; 7. Workshops, information packets and news articles pertaining to the Fox river Basin Partnership Team Lakes Initiative; and 8. the formation of the Walworth County Land Conservancy.
Control Invasive Species
Evaluate Impact of Milfoil Weevils at Whitewater Lk
Lake Management Plan Development
Data analysis, report production
Data analysis, report production
Analyze Whitewater Lake Data Collected Through Previous Planning Grant
Hydrologic Budget Development
Data analysis, report production
Recommendations
Southeast Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC) recommendations for Whitewater Lake and its watershed include onsite sewage system management, rural and urban polluted runoff management, livestock management, nutrient inactivation, dredging, sediment covering, and fish management (SEWRPC).
Date 2011
Author Aquatic Biologist
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
Monitoring Projects
| WBIC | Official Waterbody Name | Station ID | Station Name | Earliest Fieldwork Date | Latest Fieldwork Date | View Station | View Data |
|---|
| 816800 | Whitewater Lake | 10006692 | Whitewater Lake | 6/15/1975 | 1/14/2024 | Map | Data |
| 816800 | Whitewater Lake | 10020982 | Whitewater Lake Beach - Kettle Moraine State Forest - Southern Unit | 6/11/2001 | 9/6/2023 | Map | Data |
|
Watershed Characteristics
Whitewater Lake is located in the Whitewater Creek watershed which is 75.30 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (58%), forest (13.30%) and a mix of wetland (10.10%) and other uses (18.60%). This watershed has 92.85 stream miles, 886.52 lake acres and 3,995.32 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked Medium for runoff impacts on streams, Low for runoff impacts on lakes and High for runoff impacts on groundwater and therefore has an overall rank of High. 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.