Overview

Kranski Lake is a hard water, spring lake located four miles southwest of Rosholt. Much of the lake bottom is covered by marl. Dredging for marl through the ice has left a very irregular bottom. Muck and sand are also present in lesser amounts. Many springs surround the lake and contribute to a fast flowing outlet which runs into the Tomorrow River. The areas not covered by marl support dense growths of aquatic vegetation. The fishery consists of largemouth bass, northern pike, and crappies as well as perch, bluegills, and bullheads. The only significant fishing pressure comes during the winter through the ice, because there is no boat launching area.

The lake is in a near wilderness state. Two farms are located on a hill near the lake. The surrounding area is excellent deer and wildlife habitat. Muskrats are present and beaver have worked here in the past. No ducks were observed, however, the area appears good for migrating waterfowl and nesting wood ducks. Source: 1972, Surface Water Resources of Portage County Kranski Lake, T25N, E9E, Section 35, Surface Acres-17.2, S.D.F.- 1.47, Maximum Depth-33 feet

Date  1972

Author   Aquatic Biologist

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

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

Kranski Lake is located in the Waupaca River watershed which is 290.77 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (43.70%), agricultural (30.40%) and a mix of grassland (14%) and other uses (11.80%). This watershed has 231.34 stream miles, 2,456.10 lake acres and 14,124.68 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Medium 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.