Meghan Hodges
Lake Kegonsa is a freshwater lake in southern Wisconsin, surrounded by agricultural land. It is one of the largest lakes in the area, with a surface area of approximately 3,200 acres and a maximum depth of around 32 feet. The lake is a popular destination for fishing, boating, swimming, and camping. However, it has been facing issues with water quality due to high levels of phosphorus, algae, and E. coli. While efforts are being made to improve the water quality, scientists suggest that achieving clear water in Lake Kegonsa will be challenging due to the significant amount of pollution from upstream sources.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Southern Wisconsin |
| Size | 3,200 acres |
| Maximum depth | 32 feet |
| Average depth | 17 feet |
| Bottom composition | 70% sand, 15% muck, 14% gravel, 1% rock |
| Type of lake | Freshwater |
| Part of | Yahara River chain of lakes |
| Other lakes in the Yahara chain | Mendota, Monona, Waubesa, Wingra |
| Native American name | Kegonza, meaning "where the water is" |
| Pollution | Phosphorus levels are very high |
| Pollution sources | Upstream sources, carp, zebra mussels, manure runoff |
| Water quality issues | Algae, cyanobacteria blooms |
| Water quality improvements | Carp removal, Leaf vacuuming, native shoreline gardening |
| Recreational activities | Boating, fishing, swimming, camping, hiking, water sports |
| Fish species | Bluegill, largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye, muskellunge, sheephead, bullhead, carp, suckers, catfish, dogfish, gar |
| Camping facilities | Campsites, shower building |
| Beach status | Closed due to E. coli |
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What You'll Learn
Phosphorus levels
Carp are also a contributing factor to high phosphorus levels in the lake. Carp stir up bottom sediments, which resuspends phosphorus and contributes to poor water quality. In 2017, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources contracted anglers to remove close to 100,000 pounds of carp. In 2019, commercial harvesters removed 162,135 pounds of carp.
In 2014, Steve Carpenter, director of the Center for Limnology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, suggested that a "fairly drastic intervention" might be needed to improve water quality in Lake Kegonsa. One option could be to treat the lake with alum, a chemical that settles out phosphorus. However, this would require careful planning and public consideration due to the potential ecological impact.
Despite efforts to reduce phosphorus levels, Lake Kegonsa continues to face challenges. In 2017, total phosphorus levels in the lake were poor, according to the Department of Natural Resources criteria for shallow lakes. While summer water clarity conditions showed improvement in 2018, with "'good'" clarity conditions in the middle of the lake, total phosphorus levels were only "fair".
The high phosphorus levels in Lake Kegonsa have impacted the lake's water quality and ecological health. As a result, various organizations and stakeholders are working to address the issue and find long-term solutions to reduce phosphorus runoff and improve the lake's overall condition.
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Carp and cyanobacteria blooms
Lake Kegonsa is the lowest lake in the Yahara chain of lakes in Wisconsin. It is surrounded primarily by agricultural land and is known for its productive fishing. However, it has faced challenges with water quality due to high levels of phosphorus entering the lake, which have been linked to carp and cyanobacteria blooms.
Carp are a significant contributor to the poor water quality in Lake Kegonsa. These fish stir up bottom sediments, resuspending phosphorus and leading to increased phosphorus levels in the water. In 2019, commercial harvesters removed 162,135 pounds of carp from the lake, and incentives were offered to anglers to continue these removal efforts. The removal of carp has been identified as one of the factors contributing to the improved water clarity observed in 2018.
Cyanobacteria blooms have been a recurring issue at Lake Kegonsa. In 2019, the beach at Lake Kegonsa State Park was closed 11 times, nine of which were due to cyanobacteria blooms. While the exact causes of these blooms are multifaceted, one contributing factor may be the presence of carp in the lake. This is because carp can disrupt intestinal microorganisms that contribute to the digestion of cyanobacteria.
However, the relationship between carp and cyanobacteria blooms is complex. Studies have shown that the effectiveness of carp in controlling cyanobacteria blooms depends on the species of carp and the season. For example, silver carp have been found to have a certain control effect on bloom-forming cyanobacteria, especially in the spring and summer. On the other hand, bighead carp seem to have a less significant impact on cyanobacteria, and in some cases, their presence may even promote cyanobacterial growth.
Overall, the presence of carp and cyanobacteria blooms has been a significant concern for Lake Kegonsa. While efforts to remove carp and improve water quality have shown some positive results, the complex interactions between these factors underscore the need for careful planning and a comprehensive approach to managing the lake's ecosystem.
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Water quality
Lake Kegonsa, located in southern Wisconsin, is one of the largest lakes in the area, with a surface area of approximately 3,200 acres and a maximum depth of around 32 feet. The lake is a popular recreational destination for activities such as boating, fishing, swimming, and camping. It is also known for its diverse fish population, including species such as bluegill, largemouth bass, northern pike, and walleye.
However, the lake has faced challenges when it comes to water quality. One of the main issues is the high levels of phosphorus, which primarily come from upstream sources. While summer phosphorus levels may be driven by runoff within the watershed, most of the annual phosphorus load originates upstream. This has contributed to poor water quality, as phosphorus can stimulate algae growth and reduce oxygen levels in the water.
Efforts have been made to address the phosphorus issue. The Yahara CLEAN Plan, for instance, calls for improvements in agricultural practices in the watershed, such as reducing erosion and implementing better cropping techniques. Additionally, there have been attempts to remove carp from the lake, as they stir up bottom sediments, resuspending phosphorus and further degrading water quality. In 2019, commercial harvesters removed over 160,000 pounds of carp from the lake.
Despite these challenges, there have been some improvements in water quality. In 2018, summer water clarity conditions showed significant improvements over the past decade's median levels. The removal of carp, a carp die-off from the koi virus in 2017, and the recent infestation of zebra mussels may have contributed to this increased clarity. However, it is important to recognize that Lake Kegonsa, being at the end of the Yahara chain of lakes, is more susceptible to upstream pollution sources, and achieving clear water may be more challenging compared to other lakes in the region.
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Upstream pollution
Lake Kegonsa is a freshwater lake in southern Wisconsin, surrounded primarily by agricultural land. It is one of the largest lakes in the area, with a surface area of approximately 3,200 acres and a maximum depth of around 32 feet. The lake is part of the Yahara River chain, which includes four other lakes: Lake Mendota, Lake Monona, Lake Waubesa, and Lake Wingra. The name "Kegonsa" is derived from the Native American word "Kegonza," meaning "where the water is," reflecting the importance of the lake to the local indigenous people.
Lake Kegonsa has faced significant water quality issues, particularly due to upstream pollution. Most of the phosphorus entering the lake comes from upstream sources, and the lake has historically had high levels of phosphorus, contributing to poor water quality. While the lake saw improved water clarity in 2018, attributed to various factors such as the removal of carp, a carp die-off from the koi virus, and the infestation of zebra mussels, the challenge of upstream pollution remains.
To address upstream pollution, efforts are being made to improve agricultural practices in the watershed. The Yahara CLEAN Plan calls for enhancements to agricultural cropping practices, aiming to reduce the phosphorus load entering the lake. This includes implementing better fertiliser management techniques, buffer strips, and conservation tillage practices. Additionally, initiatives such as the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District's project to pay farmers to reduce their pollution impact on the watershed can provide incentives for farmers to adopt more sustainable practices.
While Lake Kegonsa faces challenges due to upstream pollution, there are ongoing efforts to mitigate these issues and improve water quality. By targeting upstream sources of pollution and working collaboratively with farmers and other stakeholders, there is a potential to reduce the phosphorus levels entering the lake and enhance the ecological health of this valuable freshwater resource.
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Clean Lakes Alliance plan
Lake Kegonsa is one of the four lakes in the Yahara chain of lakes in Wisconsin. It is the lowest lake in the chain and is surrounded primarily by agricultural land. The lake has suffered from poor water quality due to high levels of phosphorus entering the lake, primarily from upstream sources.
The Clean Lakes Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving and protecting the lakes, streams, and wetlands in the Yahara River Watershed. Their plan for Lake Kegonsa involves several strategies to reduce phosphorus levels and improve water quality.
One strategy is to work with farmers and landowners in the watershed to implement better agricultural practices that reduce phosphorus runoff into the lake. This includes initiatives such as persuading farmers to create ponds that can safely capture manure runoff before it reaches the lake. The Alliance also advocates for reductions in phosphorus loads from the upper lakes in the Yahara chain and improvements to cropping practices in the Lake Kegonsa Watershed.
Another strategy is to address the issue of carp in the lake. Carp stir up bottom sediments, which resuspends phosphorus and contributes to poor water quality. The Alliance has supported efforts to remove carp from the lake, with close to 100,000 pounds of carp removed in 2017 through a program by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
The Alliance also recognizes the importance of addressing runoff directly entering Lake Kegonsa from surrounding properties. They promote community education and advocacy to raise awareness about the issues facing the lake and encourage property owners to be more diligent in preventing sediment and pollution from entering the lake.
While achieving clear water in Lake Kegonsa is challenging due to the significant upstream pollution, the Clean Lakes Alliance remains committed to making a difference. Their coordinated projects and community engagement efforts demonstrate their dedication to improving and protecting the lake's water quality.
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Frequently asked questions
Lake Kegonsa has been described as "a sad story" by lake scientists, with high levels of phosphorus and poor water quality.
The lake's pollution is largely due to phosphorus runoff from upstream agricultural sources. Carp in the lake also contribute to poor water quality by stirring up bottom sediments and resuspending phosphorus.
Efforts to improve water quality include the removal of carp, leaf vacuuming, and incentives for farmers to reduce pollution. The Clean Lakes Alliance aims to halve the phosphorus running into the lake.
The high phosphorus levels have led to an increase in cyanobacteria blooms, which can be harmful to aquatic life and ecosystems.
While Lake Kegonsa is a popular destination for boating, fishing, swimming, and camping, there have been reports of E. coli leading to beach closures. Visitors have also reported maintenance issues and littering at the campsites and surrounding areas.
