Overview

The feasibility study for this lake (1980) documented a eutrophic body of water primarily influenced by in-lake recycling of sediment phosphorus. This lake district has been relatively inactive for several years but recently contacted us for help in combating recurring algae blooms and other eutrophic symptoms. This lake should rcceive high priority for a lakes planning grant to assess the priorities of the lake community and work toward a long range lake management plan. High priority should also be accorded to this lake for any funding to reasonably implement the recommendations of the 1980 study.

Date  1992

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

Situated on the Straight River, its inlet and outlet (3 cfs) are navigable. Fish present include northern pike, walleyes, largemouth bass, bluegills. black crappies, perch, pumpkinseed and bullheads. Forty per cent of the shore line is privately developed with seven resorts and 36 cottages. There are also two boat liveries. Public frontage on the lake consists of 3,956 feet of federal Indian lands, a 200-foot and a 60-foot unimprovedplatted access. There are no improved access roads at present. One hundred eight acres of wooded wetlands adjoin the lake. Nesting waterfowl include mallards, bluewing teal, greenwing teal and ringneck ducks. Extensive use is made of the lake by migratory waterfowl. Ranging in importance from most to least use are coots, diving ducks (redheads and canvasbacks), puddle ducks, Canada geese and whistling swans.

Source: 1961, Surface Water Resources of Polk County Round Lake T35N, R16W, Sec. 13 Surface Acres = 1,031.0, S.D.F.=1.19, Maximum Depth = 15 ft., M. P. A. = 94

Date  1961

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Impaired Waters

Big Round Lake was recently evaluated during the ten-year period of 2009 through 2018 for results that were reported to the USEPA for the 2020 Clean Water Act condition report. The waterbody is considered impaired, or in poor condition for designated uses which include the quality of fish and aquatic life, recreational use, and public health and welfare (fish consumption and related). Pollutants or problems encountered during sampling (impairments) are determined based on water quality standards outlined in Wisconsin 2020 Consolidated Assessment and Listing Methodology (WisCALM). Assessment results show water conditions that are potentially harmful for Recreation and Aquatic Life uses due to values for total phosphorus and chlorophyll that fall into the range expected for an aquatic community in poor health, therefore this water is listed as impaired.

Assessment results during the 2020 listing cycle show excess algal growth and eutrophication as a result of total phosphorus levels. Chlorophyll and total phosphorus data were assessed during the 2020 listing cycle. Both were too high for a healthy waterbody for recreation and aquatic life. Based on the most updated information, this water was proposed for the impaired waters list in 2020.

Date  2019

Author  Ashley Beranek

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

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

Big Round Lake is located in the Upper Apple River watershed which is 195.43 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (45.90%), agricultural (16.40%) and a mix of wetland (15.70%) and other uses (22.10%). This watershed has 138.62 stream miles, 7,663.43 lake acres and 16,247.07 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Medium for runoff impacts on streams, High 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.This water is ranked High Lake for individual Lakes based on runoff problems and the likelihood of success from project implementation.