Jefferson
No
No
No
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
Red Cedar Lake, in the Lower Koshkonong Creek Watershed, is a 343.69 acre lake that falls in Jefferson County. This lake is managed for fishing and swimming and is currently not considered impaired.
Date 2011
Author Aquatic Biologist
Historical Description
Source: 1968, Surface Water Resources of Jefferson County Red Cedar Lake, T6N, R13E, Section 17, 20
A shallow irregular shaped lake which occupies a marshy pocket in the end moraine. A ditched, intermittent stream drains this marsh to Lake Koshkonong. Over 90 percent of the lake is less than three feet deep. Winterkill and weeds are use problems, however, bullheads are present in the lake. There are 389 acres of marshland in the watershed, which accounts for the presence of numerous broods of waterfowl and for moderate use during spring and fall migrations. A public hunting ground provides 0.24 miles of public frontage affording unimproved public access.
Surface Acres = 370.0, S.D.F. = 1.91, Maximum Depth = 6 feet
Date 1968
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
Impaired Waters
Red Cedar Lake (WBIC 813100) was placed on the impaired waters list for excess algal growth in 2012. The 2018 assessments showed continued excess algal growth; new chlorophyll-a sample data exceeded the 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use. Total phosphorus data were clearly below the Recreation use and Fish and Aquatic Life use listing thresholds. Based on the most updated information, no change in the existing impaired waters listing was needed.
Date 2017
Author Ashley Beranek
Impaired Waters
Red Cedar Lake (813100) was placed on the impaired waters list for excess algal growth in 2012. This water was assessed during the 2016 listing cycle; total phosphorus sample data were clearly below 2016 WisCALM listing thresholds for Recreation use and Fish and Aquatic Life use. Chlorophyll sample data were clearly below FAL use listing thresholds and did not exceed REC listing thresholds. Excess algal growth remains listed because chlorophyll data were not clearly below REC listing 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
Lake Classification
Jefferson County Land and Water Conservation Department will undertake a lake classification process. The resulting lake classification system will enable the County and other lake management entities to implement appropriate lake management strategies in a priority -driven and efficient manner. It will result in the protection and restoration of the water quality and natural ecosystems of the lakes in Jefferson County.
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 |
|---|
| 813100 | Red Cedar Lake | 283223 | Red Cedar Lake - Deep Hole | 6/9/2004 | 9/12/2024 | Map | Data |
| 813100 | Red Cedar Lake | 10003050 | Red Cedar Lake | 7/27/1999 | 9/12/2024 | Map | Data |
| 813100 | Red Cedar Lake | 10017672 | Red Cedar Lake -- Access | 5/9/2005 | 9/20/2023 | Map | Data |
|
Watershed Characteristics
Red Cedar Lake is located in the Lower Koshkonong Creek watershed which is 265.61 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (54.20%), wetland (11.60%) and a mix of grassland (10.50%) and other uses (23.70%). This watershed has 283.47 stream miles, 1,735.65 lake acres and 18,171.94 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.