Polk
No
No
Yes
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
North Lake (White Ash Lake) is a lake subject to partial winter freeze-out, with fish species consisting of northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappies, bluegills and bullheads. Walleyes are also present in small numbers. It has a navigable channel to the Apple River (.2 cfs). A private access at the north end is used by the public at no charge. Muskrats are common. Mallards and wood ducks nest here while a number of coots, diving ducks and puddle ducks use the lake during migratory seasons.
North Lake (White Ash Lake) T34N, R16W, Sec. 2 Surface Acres = 114.6, S.D.F. = 1.49, Maximum Depth = 15 ft., M.P.A. = 113
Date
Author Aquatic Biologist
Historical Description
White Ash and North White Ash Lakes are connected and are located along and adjacent to the Apple River. The feasibility study conducted for this lake district in 1980 documented these lakes as shallow, sediment filled basins that are eutrophic in nature with no quick-fix solutions to the weed and algae problems.
High priority should be accorded these lakes for developing a long range lake management plan predicated on the priorities and needs of the lake community and tempered by the demand to protect the natural resource values that presently exist. The funding of practices that could reasonably implement the recommendations of the 1980 study, subject to the aforementioned conditions, should also receive a high priority.
Date 1992
Author Aquatic Biologist
Impaired Waters
White Ash Lake, North (WBIC 2628800) 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 exceeded the 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use and Fish and Aquatic Life use. Chlorophyll-a sample data clearly met the REC and 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
White Ash Lake, North (2628800) was placed on the impaired waters list for total phosphorus in 2014. The 2016 assessments showed continued impairment by phosphorus; total phosphorus sample data exceed 2016 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use, however, chlorophyll data do not 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
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 |
|---|
| 2628800 | White Ash Lake | 10000108 | North White Ash Lake - Deep Hole | | | Map | Data |
| 2628800 | White Ash Lake | 493148 | North White Ash Lake - Deep Hole | 7/5/1993 | 9/25/2024 | Map | Data |
| 2628800 | White Ash Lake | 10019708 | N. White Ash Lake -- Access | 9/27/2007 | 7/31/2024 | Map | Data |
| 2628800 | White Ash Lake | 10005013 | North White Ash Lake | 9/5/2000 | 8/6/2023 | Map | Data |
|
Watershed Characteristics
White Ash 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.