Polk
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Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
Big Lake, in the Lower Apple River Watershed, is a 244.71 acre lake that falls in Polk County. This lake is managed for fishing and swimming and is currently not considered impaired.
Date 2011
Author Aquatic Biologist
Historical Description
These lakes' communities formed a lake management district approximately a decade ago. They
have financed an independent feasibility study which was completed by "Lim Tech Consultants"
in Oct., 1987. These connected lakes are somewhat unique in that the water quality in
Churchpine is markedly higher than that of Big Lake and to a degree Round Lake. Some of
this difference can be attributed to basin morphometry but it appears that watershed sources
may be impacting the nutrient budget of Big Lake.
A self-help volunteer has been monitoring conditions on these lakes since 1985. It is
recommended that this lake district receive high priority for planning grants or other study
funding to document watershed conditions and plan for possible non-point source remedial
activities.
Date 1992
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
Historical Description
Source: 1961, Surface Water Resources of Polk County Big Lake T33N, R18W, Sec. 36 Surface Acres = 244.3, S.D.F. = 1.42, Maximum Depth = 25 ft., M.P.A. = 96 A lake with an intermittent outlet, Horse Creek. Fish species present include northern pike, walleyes, Largemouth bass, bluegills, black crappies, rock bass, pumpkinseed, perch and bullheads. Public frontage consists of two 20-foot town roads without parking and four unimproved platted access roadways (190 feet). Private developments include 17 cottages. Muskrats are common. Mallards and blue-winged teal may nest here.
Date 1961
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
Recommendations
Best Management Practices, Implement
Church Pine, Round, and Big Lake P & R District will implement best practices described in Wisconsin's 2014-2017 Healthy Lakes Implementation Plan. Practices include: fish sticks on 1 and 350 ft2 native plantings on 8 lakeshore properties, respectively. The best practices require a contract to remain in effect for 10 years and must include minimum operation and maintenance requirements and data collection as described in grant condition #17.
Habitat Restoration - Shoreland
The following practices are dispersed along all three lakes: fish sticks on 1 and 350 ft2 native plantings on 8 lakeshore properties.
Nutrient Budget Development
Monitor Water Quality or Sediment
Aquatic Plant Management Plan
Round & Big Lake Protect. & Rehab. Dist. Proposes to implement several parts of Big Lake Macrophyte Management Plan. The project activities include : A) a complete Lake District Homeowners education of the management plan implementation. B) The pilot treatment program to reduce plant density and control curly leaf pondweed. C) the third part of this project is a complete evaluation of all of parts of the pilot treatment programs (part B).
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 |
|---|
| POLK COUNTY LWRD: Church Pine, Round, & Big Lakes Water Quality & Biological Assessment | 2012 |
| CHURCH PINE ROUND & BIG LAKE P & R DISTRICT: HLk-Church Pine, Round, & Big Lakes Healthy Lakes Project | 2015 |
| CHURCH PINE ROUND & BIG LAKE P & R DISTRICT: HLR - Church, Pine, Round and Big Healthy Lakes 2021 | 2021 |
| CHURCH PINE ROUND & BIG LAKE P & R DISTRICT: Church Pine, Round, Big Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District 2016 Clean Boats Clean Waters | 2016 |
| CHURCH PINE ROUND & BIG LAKE P & R DISTRICT: Big, Round, Church Pine Aquatic Plant Management Plan | 2009 |
| CHURCH PINE ROUND & BIG LAKE P & R DISTRICT: APM Plan Implementation | 2011 |
| CHURCH PINE, ROUND AND BIG LAKE P & R DIST.: LMI-Big Lake Macrophyte Plan Implementation | 1997 |
| CHURCH PINE ROUND & BIG LAKE P & R DISTRICT: Church Pine, Round, Big Lake Clean Boats Clean Waters Project 2014 | 2014 |
| CHURCH PINE ROUND & BIG LAKE P & R DISTRICT: Church Pine Round & Big Lake P&R District 2017 CBCW | 2017 |
| CHURCH PINE ROUND & BIG LAKE P & R DISTRICT: Church Pine, Round and Big Lake Clean Boats Clean Waters Project 2015 | 2015 |
| CHURCH PINE ROUND & BIG LAKE P & R DISTRICT: Church Pine Round & Big Lake P & R District 2019 CBCW | 2019 |
| CHURCH PINE ROUND & BIG LAKE P & R DISTRICT: Church Pine, Big, & Round Lakes Macrophyte Management Plans | 1996 |
| CHURCH PINE ROUND & BIG LAKE P & R DISTRICT: Big and Church Pine Aquatic Plant Surveys | 2009 |
| CHURCH PINE ROUND & BIG LAKE P & R DISTRICT: Big, Round and Church Pine PI Survey and APM Plan Update | 2020 |
| CHURCH PINE ROUND & BIG LAKE P & R DISTRICT: Big, Round and Church Pine PI Survey and APM Plan Update | 2020 |
| CHURCH PINE ROUND & BIG LAKE P & R DISTRICT: APM Plan Implementation | 2013 |
| CHURCH PINE ROUND & BIG LAKE P & R DISTRICT: Church Pine, Round and Big CLP, PL, and Knotweed Control | 2018 |
| CHURCH PINE ROUND & BIG LAKE P & R DISTRICT: SWE - Big Lake North Inlet Evaluation | 2022 |
| Fish Propagation Actions | 2001 |
| CHURCH PINE ROUND & BIG LAKE P & R DISTRICT: Church Pine, Round, & Big Lake AIS Education, Prevention & Planning | 2009 |
| CHURCH PINE ROUND & BIG LAKE P & R DISTRICT: Big Lake Internal Load Study | 2015 |
|
Monitoring Projects
| WBIC | Official Waterbody Name | Station ID | Station Name | Earliest Fieldwork Date | Latest Fieldwork Date | View Station | View Data |
|---|
| 2615900 | Big Lake | 10018329 | Big Lake -- Access at Highway K | 7/22/2003 | 9/28/2024 | Map | Data |
| 2615900 | Big Lake | 10059267 | HWY K West side of Big Lake | 8/10/2020 | 8/10/2020 | Map | Data |
| 2615900 | Big Lake | 10039624 | Big Lake Access at County Road K near landing | 5/7/2012 | 8/18/2022 | Map | Data |
| 2615900 | Big Lake | 10042124 | Big Lake - [Herbicide Sampling Site 1] | 5/22/2014 | 5/1/2015 | Map | Data |
| 2615900 | Big Lake | 10042125 | Big Lake - [Herbicide Sampling Site 2] | 5/22/2014 | 5/1/2015 | Map | Data |
| 2615900 | Big Lake | 10042127 | Big Lake - [Herbicide Sampling Site 15A] | 5/22/2014 | 5/1/2015 | Map | Data |
| 2615900 | Big Lake | 10042128 | Big Lake - [Herbicide Sampling Site 15B] | 5/22/2014 | 5/1/2015 | Map | Data |
| 2615900 | Big Lake | 10059463 | 1808 60th Ave, Osceola--Private | 7/9/2010 | 7/3/2011 | Map | Data |
| 2615900 | Big Lake | 10042126 | Big Lake [Herbicide Sampling Site 12] | 5/22/2014 | 5/1/2015 | Map | Data |
| 2615900 | Big Lake | 493107 | Big Lake - Deep Hole | 4/16/1986 | 8/31/2024 | Map | Data |
| 2615900 | Big Lake | 10004774 | Big Lake | 8/7/2001 | 7/13/2024 | Map | Data |
|
Watershed Characteristics
Big Lake is located in the Lower Apple River watershed which is 202.16 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (31.20%), agricultural (28.20%) and a mix of grassland (25.70%) and other uses (14.80%). This watershed has 151.64 stream miles, 4,391.99 lake acres and 9,095.80 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked High for runoff impacts on streams, Medium 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.