Barron
No
No
Yes
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
Big Moon Lake is a 191-acre drainage lake about three miles east of Clayton. Algae blooms are a
recurrent problem. Historic water quality data documents a eutrophic waterbody with reported TSI
values of 54 to 63. Current water quality data does not exist.
Date 1996
Author Aquatic Biologist
Historical Description
Source: 1964, Surface Water Resources of Barron County Big Moon Lake T33N R14W, Section 17
A hard water drainage lake with an outlet, Moon Creek, draining into Turtle Creek. A two-foot water control structure on the outlet maintains the level of the lake. This dam is owned by Barron County. Extensive destruction to game fish habitat by carp brought about the chemical rehabilitation of this lake. Future fish management will include the stocking of rainbow trout, walleyes, muskellunge, ciscos and fathead minnows. Five acres of Wetlands adjoining the lake provide habitat for nesting mallards and wood ducks. A town boat landing at the east end of the lake provides access, while other public frontage on the lake includes school forest lands for a total of 0.76 miles of public frontage. Private development consists of one resort and 22 cottages and homes.
Surface Acres = 178.4, S.D.F. = 1.45, Maximum Depth = 46 feet
Date 1964
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
Impaired Waters
Big Moon Lake (WBIC 2079000) was placed on the impaired waters list for total phosphorus in 2014. The 2018 assessments showed continued impairment by phosphorus; new total phosphorus sample data overwhelmingly exceeded 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use and Fish and Aquatic Life use. Chlorophyll-a sample data exceeded REC use thresholds, but clearly met the FAL use thresholds. Based on the most updated information, no change in the existing impaired waters listing was needed.
Date 2017
Author Ashley Beranek
Impaired Waters
Big Moon Lake (2079000) was placed on the impaired waters list for total phosphorus in 2014. The 2016 assessments showed continued impairment by phosphorus; total phosphorus sample data overwhelmingly exceed 2016 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use, and chlorophyll data exceed REC thresholds. Total phosphorus and chlorophyll data do not exceed Fish and Aquatic Life 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
Recommendations
Informational Meetings
Lakes Planning Grant
Aquatic Plant Management Plan
Big Moon Lake Association is sponsoring a project to develop an aquatic plant management (APM) plan and a comprehensive lake management plan including public participation / meetings.
Lake Management Plan Development
Monitor Invasive Species
Map Invasive Species
Monitor Water Quality or Sediment
Watercraft Inspections Clean Boats, Clean Waters
Information and Education
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 |
|---|
| 2079000 | Big Moon Lake | 034001 | Big Moon Lake - Big Moon Lake | | | Map | Data |
| 5006742 | Unnamed | 10038762 | Big Moon Lake - South Ephemeral Site | 4/8/2013 | 8/11/2014 | Map | Data |
| 2079000 | Big Moon Lake | 10018533 | Big Moon Lake -- Access | 7/24/2003 | 7/1/2017 | Map | Data |
| 2079000 | Big Moon Lake | 033186 | Big Moon Lake at Deep Hole | 8/28/1979 | 8/25/2024 | Map | Data |
| 2079000 | Big Moon Lake | 10000653 | Big Moon Lake | 8/7/2001 | 4/17/2023 | Map | Data |
| 5006537 | Unnamed | 10038763 | Big Moon Lake - NW Ephemeral Site - Near 9 1/2 Ave | 4/8/2013 | 4/8/2013 | Map | Data |
|
Watershed Characteristics
Big Moon Lake is located in the Hay River watershed which is 289.60 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (38%), agricultural (30.20%) and a mix of grassland (20.60%) and other uses (11.20%). This watershed has 516.98 stream miles, 2,647.38 lake acres and 15,179.56 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked Not Available for runoff impacts on streams, Not Available 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.