Polk
No
No
Yes
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
East Lake T33N, RI&W, Sec. 21, 22 Surface Acres-228.4, S.D.F.=1.13, Maximum Depth=10 ft., M.P.A.=103 Situated on Horse Creek, the lake has a nonnavigable inlet and outlet. Subject to partial winter freeze-outs. Northern pike, largemouth bass, bluegills, green sunfish and bullheads are present. Public frontage consists of 66 feet of county-owned unimproved frontage. There are 4 cottages at present. Six acres of marsh wetlands adjoin the lake. Muskrats are common. Nesting ducks include mallards, bluewing teal and wood ducks.
Date
Author Aquatic Biologist
Impaired Waters
Lotus Lake (WBIC 2616900) was listed for total phosphorus in 2016. The 2018 assessments showed continued impairment by phosphorus; new total phosphorus and chlorophyll-a sample data exceeded the 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use and Fish and Aquatic Life use. Based on the most updated information, no change in the existing impaired waters listing was needed.
Date 2017
Author Ashley Beranek
Impaired Waters
Lotus Lake (WBIC 2616900) was assessed during the 2016 listing cycle; 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.
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
Aquatic Invasive Species Plan
POLK COUNTY LWRD: Determining impacts of carp removalon Lotus Lk water quality & biological indicators, ph 2
Aquatic Invasive Species Plan
POLK COUNTY LWRD: Lotus Lake Carp Removal Assessment - Phase 1
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 |
|---|
| 2616900 | Lotus Lake | 10018227 | Lotus Lake County Park Boat Ramp | 8/18/2008 | 8/1/2024 | Map | Data |
| 2616900 | Lotus Lake | 10045507 | Phragmites Occurrence - Lotus (East) Lake | | | Map | Data |
| 2616900 | Lotus Lake | 493073 | Lotus Lake - Deep Hole | 5/7/1996 | 9/30/2024 | Map | Data |
| 2616900 | Lotus Lake | 10004982 | Lotus (East) Lake | 8/7/2001 | 8/27/2024 | Map | Data |
|
Watershed Characteristics
Lotus 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.