Washington
No
No
No
Fish and Aquatic Life
Historical Description
Source: 1963, Surface Water Resources of Washington County Little Cedar Lake - T11N, R19E, Sec. 33, Surface Acres = 259, S.D.F. = 1.77, Maximum Depth = 55 feet.
An elongate, lake of glacial origin occupying an undrained trough between two ridges of the kettle moraine. Cedar Creek enters the lake at its north end and leaves at the south end over a low-head dam. Managed for largemouth bass, panfish, and walleye, with an abundance of carp as the major use problem. The Department has had a cooperative carp removal agreement with the Lake Advancement Association since 1961. Public access is not available; however, commercial facilities provide some recreational opportunities. About 120 acres of wooded wetland border the lake, especially at the inlet of Cedar Creek. Fair numbers of waterfowl frequent the area, and broods of mallard, black duck, blue-wing teal, and wood duck have been observed. Hunting is permitted.
Date 1963
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
General Condition
Ackerman's Grove 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
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
Lake Classification
Phase 3 of Lake Classification Project. Public Hearing and Ordinance revision adoption for the lakes in Washington County. Dissemination of proposed ordinance changes to the other local units of government. Enforcement of revised zoning provisions related to shorelands, wetlands, and floodlands through current channels. Information to public of changes in Washington County codes by meetings, publicity, pamphlets, and brochures.
Land Acquisition
Washington County will acquire 62.94 acres of land on Little Cedar Lake for lake protection and to provide public boat access. The parcel will be developed into a county park complete with hiking trails, cross country skiing, sledding hill, swim area, beach, volleyball courts, picnic tables, detention pond, parking and bathroom facilities.
Lake Classification
Through this project Washington County will develop a waterbody classification system; review and revise shoreland-wetland and floodplain ordinances; and refine the ordinance provisions governing shorelands, wetlands and floodlands, incorporating the waterbody classification into them.
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 |
|---|
| 25100 | Little Cedar Lake | 10007133 | Little Cedar Lake | 6/1/1995 | 5/23/2024 | Map | Data |
| 25100 | Little Cedar Lake | 10007619 | Little Cedar Lake - Ackerman'S Grove County Park Beach | 6/12/2001 | 8/15/2022 | Map | Data |
| 25100 | Little Cedar Lake | 10017943 | Little Cedar Lake -- Access -Off County Hwy Z | 6/20/2003 | 5/30/2023 | Map | Data |
|
Watershed Characteristics
Little Cedar Lake is located in the Cedar Creek watershed which is 129.26 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (33.50%), grassland (18.90%) and a mix of wetland (17.70%) and other uses (29.90%). This watershed has 176.82 stream miles, 1,897.46 lake acres and 13,111.81 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.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.