Tainter Lake, Pine Creek and Red Cedar River,Wilson Creek Watershed (LC04)
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Tainter Lake, Pine Creek and Red Cedar River,Wilson Creek Watershed (LC04)
Tainter Lake (2068000)
1387.21 Acres
Natural Community
Reservoir
Year Last Monitored
2025
Poor
 
This impoundment is impaired
Excess Algal Growth, Elevated pH , Eutrophication
Mercury, Total Phosphorus
 
Dunn
Trout Water 
No
Outstanding or Exceptional 
No
Impaired Water 
Yes

Fish and Aquatic Life

Current Use
Restricted Aquatic Life
Attainable Use
WWSF
Designated Use
Cold

Overview

Tainter Lake is a hypereutrophlc impoundment on the Red Cedar River at Cedar Falls. A water quality assessment conducted on Tainter Lake from February, 1989, through October, 1990 had as its objective determining the impacts of the annual phosphorus load on water quality in Tainter Lake and what phosphorus load reductions would significantly improve water quality (Mechelke).

The study found that growing season (May-September) phosphorus inputs had the most significant effect on water quality in Tainter Lake. The study concluded that 84 percent of these phosphorus loads are controllable, of which 9 percent can be attributed to point sources and 75 percent to polluted runoff. The study concluded that Tainter Lake water quality will not respond to small decreases in phosphorus loading. To achieve a significant reduction in chlorophyll a, representing algal populations, it would require a 65-70 percent reduction in the amount of growing season polluted runoff and phosphorus limits on point source dischargers. A recent calibration of the
model predicted that a 50-60 percent phosphorus load reduction would effect the same change (Schreiber 1995).

The water quality study concluded that it will take an intensive effort to reduce phosphorus loading throughout the Red Cedar drainage basin above Tainter Lake if water quality is to significantly improve (Schreiber). Efforts to improve other lake attributes should not be ignored. Shoreline
aesthetics and fishery habitat are two areas that could be worked on by the lake community to improve the recreational use of Tainter Lake.

Recommendations from the study include developing another study to determine the feasibility of and means of reducing the phosphorus load to Tainter Lake; establishment of long-term phosphorus monitoring stations to assess annual variability in phosphorus loads. Mercury concentrations in walleye exceed the advisory criteria in Tainter Lake, although Lake
Menomin walleye do not. The mercury concentration trend in fish is inconsistent with that seen statewide. A small sample size may be influencing the data or there may be something unique occurring in ths system. Collection of additional walleye and smallmouth bass from Tainter Lake
may help clarify the data. PCB analysis needs to be conducted on whte sucker and larger walleye and bass (Amrhein)

Date  1996

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

A hardwater, drainage impoundment on the Red Cedar River. Hay River, Lambs Creek and another feeder stream in Section 30 also flow into Tainter Lake. All the named streams are navigable at their outlets. A 52-foot head public utility dam (Northern States Power Company) is located on the outlet (1, 200 cfs) of the lake at Cedar Falls. Managed for walleyes, bass and pan fish, its most common fish species are walleyes, perch, brown and yellow bullheads, carp and white suckers. Other species present are northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegills, black crappies, white crappies, rock bass, pumpkinseed, green sunfish, black bullheads, northern redhorse and bowfins. Carp, algal blooms and occasional fluctuating water levels are a problem to management of this impoundment. A quarter of a mile of frontage is in public ownership. This includes Champney Memorial Park-, Lamb's Creek Park (county), northwest public access (Northwest Rod and Gun Club),
another public access at Pine Point and four undeveloped platted accesses. Private development includes 16 resorts, three boat liveries, a trailer park camping area and 31 cottages and dwellings. Ten acres of marsh wetlands provide habitat for muskrats and nesting mallards, blue-winged teal and wood ducks. A number of diving ducks, coots and occasionally Canada geese are also found here during migration seasons. Source: 1962, Surface Water Resources of Dunn County Tainter Lake T29N, R12W, Sec. 7 Surface Acres = 1, 752.0, S. D. F. = 4.38, Maximum Depth = 37 feet

Date  1962

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Fish and Aquatic Life communities are not fully supported in this ecosystem.
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.
Streams capable of supporting a warm waterdependent sport fishery. Representative aquatic life communities associated with these waters generally require cool or warm temperatures and concentrations of dissolved oxygen that do not drop below 5 mg/L.
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.
Streams capable of supporting a cold water sport fishery, or serving as a spawning area for salmonids and other cold water fish species. Representative aquatic life communities, associated with these waters, generally require cold temperatures and concentrations of dissolved oxygen that remain above 6 mg/L. Since these waters are capable of supporting natural reproduction, a minimum dissolved oxygen concentration of 7 mg/L is required during times of active spawning and support of early life stages of newly-hatched fish.