Iron
No
No
No
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
Lake Of The Falls is a medium hard water drainage lake having medium brown water of low transparency. There are three inlet streams, all of which are navigable, except Moose Creek which affords limited boating use. The outlet stream is navigable; however, there is a rapids at the outlet which would normally necessitate a portage. The outlet stream is tributary to the Flambeau Flowage. Sand is the predominant littoral material (60 percent) with rubble (15 percent), gravel (10 percent), muck (10 percent), and boulders. Upland shoreline is predominant (70 percent) with the balance being wetland of the meadow and shrub type along with bog and some conifer. Muskellunge, northern pike, walleye, largemouth bass, perch, bluegill, black crappie, rock bass, pumpkinseed, and redhorse inhabit this lake. Waterfowl utilize this lake and loon have also been observed. It is probable that nesting waterfowl, particularly black duck and mallard, may also visit this lake. Emergent and submergent vegetation is moderate in density while floating is sparse. There are 21 dwellings and four resorts located on the shoreline. Public access is available via the Turtle River inlet. It is also possible to launch a boat off a town road at the outlet.
Surface Acres = 302.9, S.D.F. = 2.46, Maximum Depth = 20 feet
Source:1970, Surface Water Resources of Iron County,WI:WI-DNR Lake of the Falls, T43N, R3E, Section 31
Date 1970
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
Fish Management, Access
Lake of the Falls Association proposes to establish a Walleye Spawning Habitat Project on Lake of the Falls. The project activities will include six approved spawning beds made of approved materials. Other activities that are included besides the actual construction of the rock spawning beds are site preparation and clean-up as called for in the application.
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 |
|---|
| 2298300 | Lake of the Falls | 263143 | Lake Of The Falls - Deep Hole | 4/28/2003 | 10/9/2024 | Map | Data |
| 2298300 | Lake of the Falls | 10002838 | Lake Of The Falls | 8/29/2000 | 5/25/2024 | Map | Data |
|
Watershed Characteristics
Lake of the Falls is located in the Flambeau Flowage watershed which is 247.18 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (56.80%), wetland (28.20%) and a mix of open (14.10%) and other uses (0.90%). This watershed has 190.98 stream miles, 10,199.06 lake acres and 43,978.35 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked Not Ranked for runoff impacts on streams, Not Ranked for runoff impacts on lakes and Low for runoff impacts on groundwater and therefore has an overall rank of Low. 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.