Historical Description

Source: 1971, Surface Water Resources of Green Lake County Big Green Lake, T-15, 16-N, E-12, 13-E Surface Acres = 7,325; S.D.F. = 1.77 Maximum Depth = 229 feet.

Big Green Lake is without doubt, the most important singlewater resource in Green Lake County. At 229 feet it is not only the deepest natural inland lake in the state but, also between the Finger Lakes of New York and the Rocky Mountains (Frey, 1963). A hydrographic map of Big Green Lake is shown in Figure 13. Big Green Lake is situated in a large preglacial valley formed by the action of some forgotten river. The Cary glacier scoured this valley depositing a large recessional moraine across its western end and was successful in damming a glacial river causing it to flood the scoured valley and overflow into the present day Puchyan-Fox drainage system. In reality Big Green Lake is a natural impoundment (Juday, 1914). The watershed of Big Green Lake is mostly in agriculture and covers some 115 square miles. Silver Creek on the east end of the lake is the largest tributary but Spring Creek on the west also contributes significantly. Roy Creek, Hill Creek, Dakin Creek, and White Creek, also drain into Big Green Lake but are minor tributaries. The outlet is the Puchyan River which drains into the Fox River six miles northwest of the City of Green Lake. A dam constructed on the outlet maintains the water level about five feet higher than the natural lake basin. Littoral bottom materials consist primarily of and gravel. Bedrock, silt, and muck are also present to a more limited extent. Fish cover is provided primarily by rocks and boulders and sparse aquatic vegetation. Big Green is an oligotrophic (Figure 14) lake managed for both cold and warm water fish. Cold water species include brown and rainbow trout, splake, cisco, and lake trout. Most common warm water species are northern pike, walleye, perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, rock bass, white bass, channel catfish, and black bullhead. Pumpkinseed, carp, and white sucker are also present. The lake is well known for the excellent summer and winter fishing it offers.

Date  1971

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Historical Description

The lake offers a wide variety of recreation uses. Boating, sailing, water skiing, fishing, hunting, swimming, and diving are popular. In addition, there are many lakeshore activities such as sunbathing, picnicking, and the intangible aesthetic values of the lake. Some use conflicts are present. A number of property owners desire weed removal from their shore area, while fishermen and conservationists are desirous of maintaining the aquatic plants for the benefit of the fishery. At one time the property owners association asked that ice fishing be prohibited because of sanitation and litter problems involved. High power motor boats and water skiers often conflict with fishermen and sailboaters. A recent regulation designed to protect undersize lake trout by prohibiting ice fishing with minnows at depths greater than fifty feet received much local criticism. Tourism is met with disfavor by many residents. Development consists of over 500 dwellings, several resorts, and boat rentals offering over 100 boats for rent. Charter boats are available for lake trout trolling as well as professional guides for fishermen not familiar with the lake. The City of Green Lake is located at the outlet. The presence of all this development is a constant threat toover enrichment or eutrophication which if unchecked will eventually depreciate water quality. The Green Lake Sanitary District has been established to prevent pollution and protect the water quality. Its protective impact remains to be evaluated. Public access to Big Green is well developed. One county park with a large parking area and six boat ramps is present at the southwest corner. Other public facilities present at this park include a confection stand, beach, toilets, picnic area, and bath houses. Other access is available through seven town roads, two with boat ramps, and one county road with parking and two launching ramps. The City of Green Lake maintains two parks and two streets that provide access to the lake. Navigable water access via Silver Creek and Puchyan River is also present.

Date  1971

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

General Condition

Green Lake Hattie Sherwood 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

Green Lake Sunset County Park 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

Green Lake Pilgrim Center 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

Green Lake Dodge County Park 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

Green Lake Camp Grow 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

Green Lake Aba 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

Impaired Waters

Big Green Lake (WBIC 146100) was placed on the impaired waters list in 2002 for PCBs in fish tissue and 2014 for total phosphorus/low DO. The 2018 assessments showed continued impairment by phosphorus; new total phosphorus sample data exceeded the 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use and Fish and Aquatic Life use. Chlorophyll-a sample data did not exceed REC or FAL thresholds. Based on the most updated information, no change in existing impaired waters listing was needed.

Date  2017

Author  Ashley Beranek

Impaired Waters

Big Green Lake (146100) was placed on the impaired waters list in 2002 for PCBs in fish tissue and 2014 for total phosphorus/low DO. This water was assessed during the 2016 listing cycle; chlorophyll sample data were clearly below 2016 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use and Fish and Aquatic Life use. Total phosphorus data did not exceed REC or FAL thresholds. This water was also assessed for chlorides and sample data were clearly below 2016 WisCALM chronic and acute listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use. This water remains listed for total phosphorus because data were not clearly below listing thresholds.

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

Green Lake is located in the Big Green Lake watershed which is 107.31 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (54.10%), open (12%) and a mix of grassland (10.10%) and other uses (23.70%). This watershed has 141.08 stream miles, 655.29 lake acres and 5,102.67 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Not Available for runoff impacts on streams, Not Ranked 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.