Overview

Kettle Moraine Lake, in the East and West Branches Milwaukee River Watershed, is a 208.96 acre lake that falls in Fond du Lac County. This lake is managed for fishing and swimming and is currently not considered impaired.

Date  2011

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

Source: 1969, Surface Water Resources of Fond du Lac County Kettle Morraine Lake, T14N, R19E, Section 27 Surface Acres = 227.1, S.D.F. = 1.11, Maximum Depth = 30 feet.

This is a shallow, fertile lake, with abundant aquatic vegetation. This overabundant vegetation has been partly controlled in past years with both chemicals and a mechanical weed cutter. Half the shoreline is marsh-bog, with the other half being a narrow band of sand and gravel grading into a muck bottom. The water level fluctuates considerably, and in 1956, unusually high water created a three acre floating island which was finally removed by dragline after floating all over the lake. The outlet flows into Mud Lake, and from there constitutes one of the headwater feeders of the main branch of the Milwaukee River. Winterkill of fish occurs at irregular intervals, with kills recorded in the springs of 1951, 1959, and 1963. Between these kills, fishing has been good for northern pike and largemouth bass, with some fair fishing for perch, bluegill, and bullheads. The panfish usually reach the over-population stage quite soon after winterkill. About 100 acres of marsh and swamp associated with the lake furnishes fair habitat for furbearers and puddle ducks. Approximately 40% of the shoreline is developed for summer cottages and two tavern-resorts. Access is available at one resort, with other access available off County Highway "F". However, parking along the highway is limited.

Date  1969

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

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

Kettle Moraine Lake is located in the East and West Branches Milwaukee River watershed which is 266.00 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (35.50%), wetland (19.20%) and a mix of forest (17.90%) and other uses (27.40%). This watershed has 312.44 stream miles, 2,023.13 lake acres and 32,107.47 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.