Rice Lake (Glenton), Balsam Branch Watershed (SC05)
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Rice Lake (Glenton), Balsam Branch Watershed (SC05)
Rice Lake (Glenton) (2621600)
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128.83 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.
Shallow Lowland
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
Excellent
 
Polk
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.
Shallow Lowland
Shallow lowland lake describes the depth and location of the lake in a watershed. These variables affect the lakes response to watershed variables.
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

Glenton Lake (Rice Lake) T35N, R17W, Sec. 20 Surface Acres-127.7, S.D.F.=1.61, Maximum Depth=6 ft., M.P.A.= 202 Situated at the head of Glenton Creek, it has a navigable outlet (2 cfs). it is subject to partial winter freeze-outs. Northern pike, largemouth bass, bluegills, perch and bullheads are present. There are no public lands, or access roads, and one cottage is the only private development. Sixty-four acres of mostly marsh wetlands adjoin the lake. Mallards and bluewing teal nest here. Numbers of diving ducks, coots and other puddle ducks use the lake during migratory seasons.

Date  

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

This small lake (128 ac.) is located upstream from Balsam Lake and downstream from the
Village of Milltown. While this lake may be a small part of the nutrient budget "picture" of
Balsam Lake it has been severely impacted in its own way by past discharges from the village
wastewater treatment system(s) (Ryan, 1990 & Engel & Nichols, 1991).
A lake organization should be encouraged for this body of water. The restoration of Rice Lake
will require special management practices over several years to complete. It is recommended
that this lake be accorded high priority for a Planning Grant to continue water quality
monitoring and an Implementation Grant to continue the vegetation planting and implement the
renovation practices as outlined by Engel & Nichols (1991).

Date  1992

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Rice Lake (Glenton), Balsam Branch Watershed (SC05) Fish and Aquatic LifeRice Lake (Glenton), Balsam Branch Watershed (SC05) RecreationRice Lake (Glenton), Balsam Branch Watershed (SC05) 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
AIS Early Detection 2011 Data Form Polk Rice Lake 2621600
Rice Lake, Polk County (2621600) - Aquatic Plant Sampling Map (40 mpts)
Rice Lake, Polk County (2621600) - Garmin Text File
AIS ED 2011 Data Form Polk Rice Lake 2621600
The Recovery of Rice Lake - A Water Quality Success Story
GLENTON LAKE(RICE LAKE), UNNAMED TRIBUTARY, POLK COUNTY, MILLTOWN WWTP USE DESIGNATION
Lake Bathymetry Map for Rice 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
TOWN OF MILLTOWN: Milltown Comp. Land Use Plan-Phase 2, Inventory & Research1999
TOWN OF MILLTOWN: Milltown Comp. Land Use Plan, Phase 3 Analysis & Recommond.1999

Monitoring Projects

WBICOfficial Waterbody NameStation IDStation NameEarliest Fieldwork DateLatest Fieldwork DateView StationView Data
2621600Rice Lake10018141Rice Lake -- Access at S End Lake Nr 200th Ave6/7/20198/6/2024MapData
2621200Rice Creek493051Rice Lake (Glenton) - Station C2/21/19896/15/1989MapData
2621600Rice Lake493119Rice Lake - Deep Hole7/27/19889/12/2022MapData
2621600Rice Lake10004993Rice Lake9/5/20007/5/2018MapData

Watershed Characteristics

Rice Lake is located in the Balsam Branch watershed which is 104.07 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (31.60%), agricultural (28.40%) and a mix of grassland (18.70%) and other uses (21.30%). This watershed has 63.62 stream miles, 6,301.67 lake acres and 5,248.51 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 Lakes based on runoff problems and the likelihood of success from project implementation.

Natural Community

Rice Lake (Glenton) is considered a Shallow Lowland 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.

Shallow lowland lake describes the depth and location of the lake in a watershed. These variables affect the lakes response to watershed variables.