Overview

Lake Menomin is a hypereutrophic Red Cedar River impoundment on the northeast side of the city of Menomonie in Durn County. The lake experiences frequent summer algal blooms. A self-help volunteer has been collecting water clarity data on the impoundment since 1991. The lake shoreline has a very natural appearance. The city of Menomonie has zoned the shoreland area of the lake as a conservancy zone to protect the natural beauty of the lake. The steep slopes of Lake Menomin's shoreline precludes development and results in a largely vegetative shoreline. Any plan to alter the vegetation of these steep slopes should outline steps to avoid potential effects on water quality.

The city of Menomonie recently developed a sewer service area plan outlining the process for sewer extensions in the city and is considering the potential impacts of storm water runoff on the lake. Lake water quality is very poor; 1990 trophic state index values ranged from 60-80. Major reductions in phosphorus inputs must occur throughout the Red Cedar River drainage basin if water quality is to ever improve in Lake Menomin (Schreiber).

While Tainter Lake walleye do exceed advisory criteria for mercury concentration in fish tissue, Lake Menomin walleye do not. The mercury concentration trend in fish from the lake is inconsistent with what is seen statewide. A small sample size may be influencing the data or there
may be somethmg unique occurring in this system. Collection of additional walleye and smallmouth bass may help clarify the data. PCB analysis needs to be conducted on whte sucker, larger walleye and bass (Amrhein)

Date  1996

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

Source: 1962, Surface Water Resources of Dunn County Lake Menomin T28N, R12, 13W, Sec. 13, 23, 24, 26, 19

A hardwater, drainage impoundment on the Red Cedar River. It has a navigable inlet from that stream and a 30-foot head public utility dam (Northern States Power Company) on its outlet (1, 212 cfs). Managed for walleye, northern pike, bass and pan fish. The most common species here is the bluegill, followed by walleyes, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappies, pumpkinseed, black, brown and yellow bullheads, carp, white suckers and northern redhorse. Also present in less abundance are perch, smallmouth bass, white crappies, rock bass, green sunfish, quillbacks and bowfins. Carp are a management problem. Public frontage totals 4.21 miles, or 40 per cent of the total shore line. This ownership includes the following items: two city of Menomonie parks with boat accesses and swimming facilities at each, another boat access near the outlet dam, three undeveloped platted roadways, county asylum land, plus other city and county frontage. Private development of the frontage consists of a resort, a marina and six dwellings besides some municipal and industrial development, and a cemetery. An acre of wetlands provides habitat for muskrats and nesting mallards and blue-winged teal. Migratory puddle ducks, coots and occasionally Canada geese may also be found here.

Surface Acres = 1, 405.0, S.D. F. = 2.38, Maximum Depth = 34 feet

Date  1962

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Impaired Waters

Lake Menomin (WBIC 2056900) was placed on the impaired waters list for total phosphorus in 1998. The phosphorus TMDL was approved by the U.S. EPA in 2012. The 2018 assessments showed continued excess algal growth; new chlorophyll sample data exceeded 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use. Based on the most updated information, no change in the existing impaired waters listing was needed.

Date  2017

Author  Ashley Beranek

Impaired Waters

Lake Menomin (2056900) was placed on the impaired waters list for total phosphorus in 1998. The phosphorus TMDL was approved by the U.S. EPA in 2012. The 2016 assessments showed continued impairment by phosphorus; total phosphorus sample data exceed 2016 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use and Fish and Aquatic Life use. Based on the most updated information, no change in existing impaired waters listing is needed.

Date  2015

Author  Aaron Larson

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

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

Watershed Characteristics

Lake Menomin is located in the Wilson Creek watershed which is 244.75 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (37.50%), forest (31.40%) and a mix of grassland (19.40%) and other uses (11.70%). This watershed has 425.11 stream miles, 1,332.74 lake acres and 5,388.38 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked High for runoff impacts on streams, High 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.This water is ranked High Lake for individual Impoundments based on runoff problems and the likelihood of success from project implementation.