Overview

Pine Lake, in the Upper Wolf River and Post Lake Watershed, is a 1,672.57 acre lake that falls in Forest County. This lake is managed for fishing and swimming and is currently considered impaired.

Date  2015

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

Source: 1977, Surface Water Resources of Forest County Pine Lake, T37N, R12E, Sec. 22

A soft water drainage lake having slightly alkaline, clear water of moderate transparency. There are two inlet streams. One is drainage from Hiles Mill Pond and the other drains Lake 29-9. The navigable outlet forms the headwaters of the Wolf River. The immediate shoreline is predominantly upland (90 percent) consisting of hardwoods and conifer with the remainder being wetland of conifer and shrub. Composition of the littoral material is sand (40 percent), muck (25 percent), gravel (15 percent) and boulders. Fish inhabiting this lake include walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, perch, bluegill, black crappie, pumpkinseed and black bullhead. This lake attracts both nesting and migratory waterfowl. Periodic winterkill has occurred. Dense submergent aquatic vegetation is present at the time of survey. An improved boat launching ramp and campground are located on the northwest shore. Private shoreline developments include 14 resorts, 147 dwellings and 5 boat rentals. Of the 6.42 miles of shoreline, 0.46 miles is public frontage controlled by the U.S. Forest Service. The Town of Hiles maintains a dam at the outlet having a head of 1 foot.

Surface Acres = 1,670, Maximum depth = 14 feet, Secchi disk = 12 feet

Date  1977

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Impaired Waters

Pine Lake (WBIC 406900) was placed on the impaired waters list for excess algal growth in 2014. The 2018 assessments showed continued excess algal growth; new chlorophyll-a sample data exceeded the 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use. Total phosphorus data were clearly below the Recreation use and Fish and Aquatic Life use listing thresholds. Based on the most updated information, no change in existing impaired waters listing was needed.

Date  2017

Author  Ashley Beranek

Impaired Waters

Pine Lake (406900) was placed on the impaired waters list for excess algal growth in 2014. The 2016 assessments showed continued excess algal growth; chlorophyll sample data exceed 2016 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use, however, total phosphorus data do not exceed REC thresholds. Total phosphorus and chlorophyll data were clearly below Fish and Aquatic Life listing thresholds. Based on the most updated information, no change in existing impaired waters listing is needed.

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

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

Pine Lake is located in the Upper Wolf River and Post Lake watershed which is 203.31 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (52.90%), wetland (35.60%) and a mix of open (6.40%) and other uses (5.20%). This watershed has 202.70 stream miles, 7,524.17 lake acres and 32,034.92 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Not Ranked for runoff impacts on streams, Not Ranked for runoff impacts on lakes and Low for runoff impacts on groundwater and therefore has an overall rank of Low. 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.