Lake George, Kinnickinnic River Watershed (SC01)
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Lake George, Kinnickinnic River Watershed (SC01)
Lake George (2603700)
12.28 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.
Impounded Flowing Water
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.
2020
Excellent
 
Pierce
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.
Impounded Flowing Water
This classification includes waterbodies created by dams (mill ponds, reservoirs, flowages, and other impoundments) with a residence time of 14 days or more (under summer (June – Sept) mean low flow conditions with a 1 in 10 year recurrence interval (US EPA 2000)). Many natural lakes also have dams or water level control structures. However, to be included in the Impounded Flowing Waters category, the dam or water level control structure, must account for more than half of a waterbody’s maximum depth. Impoundments with a residence time of less than 14 days should be covered under the rivers and stream assessment methodology process.
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

Kinnickinnic Pond, in the Kinnickinnic River Watershed, is a 12.28 acre lake that falls in Pierce County. This lake is managed for fishing and swimming and is currently not considered impaired.

Date  2011

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

The pond is an 18 acre impoundment on the Kinnickinnic River within the city of River Falls.
The dam creating the impoundment is utilized to generate hydroelectric power. Historical
sedimentation, nuisance aquatic plant growth and heavy metals contamination in the sediments
are the major concerns limiting the usage of the impoundment. A lake management plan was
completed for the lake in 1985 identifying several management alternatives for the lake.
Additional management alternatives were developed with the city in 1986 regarding limited
dredging in the impoundment. Sediment sampling done to obtain a dredging permit identified
elevated metals concentrations in the sediments in the proposed dredge site. The source of
these metals was identified to be an illegal industrial discharge which has since been eliminated.
There has not been a comprehensive lake management project implemented to alleviate the
water quality problems identified in the impoundment.

Date  1992

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Historical Description

Source: 1971, Surface Water Resources of Pierce County Kinnickinnic Pond, Upper, T27N, R19W, S1 Surface Acres = 17.7, S.D.F. = 2.38, Maximum Depth = 9 feet This hard water, drainage impoundment is located on the Kinnickinnic River at River Falls. The dam is used for power, it has a height of 46 feet, and it is owned by the city. The water is clear, alkaline, and has a low transparency. Brown trout, crappie, green sunfish, and black bullhead comprise the sport fishery. Carp are common. There is approximately 330 feet of public frontage near the upper end of the flowage. Two bridges cross the flowage and 13 dwellings are located on the water. Muskrat are significant.

Date  1971

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Lake George, Kinnickinnic River Watershed (SC01) Fish and Aquatic LifeLake George, Kinnickinnic River Watershed (SC01) RecreationLake George, Kinnickinnic River Watershed (SC01) 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

Recommendations

Runoff Grant - Urban Nonpoint Source & Stormwater Management - Planning
Lake Management Plan Implementation
Any management activities implemented in the Kinnickinnic Pond must take into account the protection of the outstanding trout fishery and the ORW status of the Kinnickinnic River (Type A).
Lakes Planning Grant
The Upper Kinnickinnic Pond should be considered a high priority to receive a lakes planning grant to further develop lake management alternatives (Type B).
Runoff Grant - Urban Nonpoint Source & Stormwater Management - Construction

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
RIVER ALLIANCE OF WISCONSIN: Kinni Dam Plan2016
CITY OF RIVER FALLS: Lake George Restoration Plan2002
KINNICKINNIC RIVER LAND TRUST INC: Kinni River Community Report2012

Monitoring Projects

WBICOfficial Waterbody NameStation IDStation NameEarliest Fieldwork DateLatest Fieldwork DateView StationView Data
2601800Kinnickinnic River10032636Kinnickinnic River at Winter St. bridge River FallsMapData
2603700Upper Kinnickinnic Pond10004767Upper Kinnickinnic Pond8/7/200110/3/2016MapData
2601800Kinnickinnic River10048608Kinnickinnic River DS Upper Reservoir (WBIC 2603700)6/19/201710/23/2020MapData
2603700Upper Kinnickinnic Pond10048605Kinnickinnic Pond, Upper - Center6/19/20179/30/2017MapData
2603700Upper Kinnickinnic Pond10032636Kinnickinnic River at Winter St. bridge River FallsMapData
2603000Kinnickinnic Pond, Lower10048608Kinnickinnic River DS Upper Reservoir (WBIC 2603700)6/19/201710/23/2020MapData

Watershed Characteristics

Upper Kinnickinnic Pond is located in the Kinnickinnic River watershed which is 206.08 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (47.30%), grassland (25.40%) and a mix of forest (19.40%) and other uses (7.80%). This watershed has 283.63 stream miles, 508.55 lake acres and 1,305.73 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked High 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.

Natural Community

Lake George is considered a Impounded Flowing Water 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.

This classification includes waterbodies created by dams (mill ponds, reservoirs, flowages, and other impoundments) with a residence time of 14 days or more (under summer (June – Sept) mean low flow conditions with a 1 in 10 year recurrence interval (US EPA 2000)). Many natural lakes also have dams or water level control structures. However, to be included in the Impounded Flowing Waters category, the dam or water level control structure, must account for more than half of a waterbody’s maximum depth. Impoundments with a residence time of less than 14 days should be covered under the rivers and stream assessment methodology process.

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