2023 Chetek Lakes Sediment Study
Summary of Findings
Sediment depths varied across the Chetek Chain of Lakes, based on 31 sample locations.
Across the entire Chain of Lakes, observed sediment depths ranged from 0.0 feet (no sediment
found at the sample point) to 4.3 feet. Within the Chetek Chain of Lakes, the total estimated
volume of sediment is 10,175,301 cubic yards. On a per-lake basis, Prairie Lake had a
significantly higher amount of sediment (5,418,017 cubic yards) than the rest of the lakes in the
chain. Lake Chetek had the least amount of sediment, estimated to be 462,701 cubic yards.
Across the Chain of Lakes, 60 sediment samples were collected and analyzed for nutrient
content. Sediment within Lake Chetek has the highest average Phosphorus (P2O5)
concentrations within the Chain, with an average available phosphorus content of 7.24 lbs/1,000
gallons if applied as a liquid application method, such as spreading spoil material on agricultural
fields. Prairie Lake had the lowest average level of phosphorus (1.96 lbs/1,000 gallons), while
phosphorus concentrations in Ojaski, Pokegama, and Tenmile Lakes were all relatively
consistent.
In general, the average concentrations of Total Nitrogen (TKN) did not widely vary between the
lakes. The amount of total nitrogen found to be in the sediments ranged from 0.11% to 0.22%, as
averages per lake. Sediments with Tenmile Lake were found to have the highest concentration of
total nitrogen, with Lake Chetek having the lowest concentrations.
Iron (Fe) concentrations were discovered to be the highest in Lake Chetek. With a lake average
of 26,431 ppm, the iron concentrations in Lake Chetek were 2 to 3.5 times higher than in any
other lake in the Chain. The rest of the lakes in the Chain exhibited iron concentrations that
averaged from 7,430 ppm to 12,137 ppm.
Purpose of Study
The purpose of this study is to collect data pertaining to the quantity and composition of lake
sediment within the Chetek Chain of Lakes and apply this data towards future water quality
improvement projects. The Chetek Lakes Protection Association (CLPA) was awarded a
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) Surface Water Grant in 2023 to assist in
funding this study. The study was coordinated with the Barron County Conservation District
(BCCD) was heavily involved with the development of the study and also contributed funding
towards the project.
The objective of this study is to estimate the volume of sediment within the Chetek Chain of
Lakes, identify patterns of varying sediment accumulation, and determine the current nutrient
content of the lake sediment. To accomplish these objectives, at 31 locations within the Chain the
depth of sediment was measured, sediment samples were collected, and laboratory analysis of sediment samples were completed.
It is anticipated that this study will lay the foundation for future studies towards identifying
appropriate projects to promote water quality improvement in the Chain. This will likely include
prioritization of hydraulic dredging locations, feasibility of applying sediment/spoil material onto
agricultural fields, and other actions or improvement options that may be realized by the data
results.
This study will complement the work of the 2011 Internal Phosphorous Loading and Sediment
Phosphorous Fractination Analysis for the Chetek Chain of Lakes [1], which explored how ironbound
phosphorus in sediment diffuses to the water column under both aerobic and anaerobic
conditions. To correlate with the 2011 study, the sediment samples collected in 2023 were
analyzed for iron content.
To review the total report and detailed results, click on the button below:
Summary of Findings
Sediment depths varied across the Chetek Chain of Lakes, based on 31 sample locations.
Across the entire Chain of Lakes, observed sediment depths ranged from 0.0 feet (no sediment
found at the sample point) to 4.3 feet. Within the Chetek Chain of Lakes, the total estimated
volume of sediment is 10,175,301 cubic yards. On a per-lake basis, Prairie Lake had a
significantly higher amount of sediment (5,418,017 cubic yards) than the rest of the lakes in the
chain. Lake Chetek had the least amount of sediment, estimated to be 462,701 cubic yards.
Across the Chain of Lakes, 60 sediment samples were collected and analyzed for nutrient
content. Sediment within Lake Chetek has the highest average Phosphorus (P2O5)
concentrations within the Chain, with an average available phosphorus content of 7.24 lbs/1,000
gallons if applied as a liquid application method, such as spreading spoil material on agricultural
fields. Prairie Lake had the lowest average level of phosphorus (1.96 lbs/1,000 gallons), while
phosphorus concentrations in Ojaski, Pokegama, and Tenmile Lakes were all relatively
consistent.
In general, the average concentrations of Total Nitrogen (TKN) did not widely vary between the
lakes. The amount of total nitrogen found to be in the sediments ranged from 0.11% to 0.22%, as
averages per lake. Sediments with Tenmile Lake were found to have the highest concentration of
total nitrogen, with Lake Chetek having the lowest concentrations.
Iron (Fe) concentrations were discovered to be the highest in Lake Chetek. With a lake average
of 26,431 ppm, the iron concentrations in Lake Chetek were 2 to 3.5 times higher than in any
other lake in the Chain. The rest of the lakes in the Chain exhibited iron concentrations that
averaged from 7,430 ppm to 12,137 ppm.
Purpose of Study
The purpose of this study is to collect data pertaining to the quantity and composition of lake
sediment within the Chetek Chain of Lakes and apply this data towards future water quality
improvement projects. The Chetek Lakes Protection Association (CLPA) was awarded a
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) Surface Water Grant in 2023 to assist in
funding this study. The study was coordinated with the Barron County Conservation District
(BCCD) was heavily involved with the development of the study and also contributed funding
towards the project.
The objective of this study is to estimate the volume of sediment within the Chetek Chain of
Lakes, identify patterns of varying sediment accumulation, and determine the current nutrient
content of the lake sediment. To accomplish these objectives, at 31 locations within the Chain the
depth of sediment was measured, sediment samples were collected, and laboratory analysis of sediment samples were completed.
It is anticipated that this study will lay the foundation for future studies towards identifying
appropriate projects to promote water quality improvement in the Chain. This will likely include
prioritization of hydraulic dredging locations, feasibility of applying sediment/spoil material onto
agricultural fields, and other actions or improvement options that may be realized by the data
results.
This study will complement the work of the 2011 Internal Phosphorous Loading and Sediment
Phosphorous Fractination Analysis for the Chetek Chain of Lakes [1], which explored how ironbound
phosphorus in sediment diffuses to the water column under both aerobic and anaerobic
conditions. To correlate with the 2011 study, the sediment samples collected in 2023 were
analyzed for iron content.
To review the total report and detailed results, click on the button below:
The article below was published in the Chetek Alert the week of October 13th, 2021. Please read-on to see how you can help protect our lakes and streams no matter how far from the lake you live!
Protek Chetek: A Guide For Every Citizen to Improve our Lakes
By Gary Luepke & Jamey Lideen
The Chetek Chain of Lakes has brought many things to our community that we likely wouldn’t have without the Lakes and the business it brings. We live in a community that supports several retails stores, banks, multiple restaurants, downtown shopping, our own police force, and a strong fire department. The lakes have attracted many residents and visitors that might not have come here if there wasn’t the chain of lakes!
Now, imagine what our lakes and streams would look like if the only water entering them was from rain or snow! Unfortunately, other materials enter our lakes through the forces of gravity moving materials from higher ground to lower ground (to our lakes/streams). Rain, snow and storm-water drag other substances to our lakes if they are not stopped. Even materials that are 10, 20, 30 miles away will eventually end up in our waters over time. This means that all citizens and visitors can make a difference in protecting and improving our lakes, no matter how far from the lake they actually live!
Looking back 150 years ago, the land was cleared for logging needs in our growing country. Forests were converted to farmland and pastures. Many of the natural buffers that kept contaminants from the lakes and streams were now gone, and foreign materials started entering our lakes. Over time, we figured out what was happening to our waters, and efforts were made to correct some of the problems created from the past 150 years. Today, we are trying to make corrections to return our waters to their former glory. Government agencies like the DNR, EPA, Conservationists, and University of Wisconsin work continuously on improvements, and local groups like our own Chetek Lakes Protection Association and Red Cedar Water Quality Partnership are working together to reverse a century of damage to our waters. If everyone can do a handful of small things that prevent runoff into our lakes, we will see a benefit sooner!
Here are some examples of easy, common-sense things that property owners and visitors can do to help protect and preserve our lakes:
- Manage nutrients – Excess nutrients, namely phosphorus and nitrogen, are the primary cause of excess weeds and algae in our lakes. Controlling these nutrients requires a joint effort by area farmers, property-owners and visitors. Reduce or eliminate fertilizer use on lakefront lawns and create buffer zones to reduce these nutrients from directly entering the lake. Sweep up any fertilizer that falls on driveways and walks and spread it in vegetated areas. Use phosphorus-free soaps and detergents whenever possible. And dispose of animal waste properly.
- Manage run-off - Create and maintain natural vegetation buffer zones along shorelines to slow the rapid run-off and trap sediment before it flows into the lake during heavy rainstorms. Divert rain gutter discharge into rain barrels or vegetated areas and away from paved surfaces and storm sewers as many times they drain directly into the lakes. Consider taking your car to a car wash where the drainage water is treated instead of doing it on your driveway where the run-off can flow into the sewer and eventually the lakes.
- Plant cover crops - Plant cover crops on hillsides and slopes to reduce erosion and improve soil quality and appearance. There are a variety of decorative groundcovers that are hardy and require little maintenance.
- Maintain sewage systems - Have your septic system inspected regularly to ensure untreated sewage is not entering the lakes. Barron County requires septic tanks to be pumped, inspected and re-certified every 3 years. Properly decommission unused wells, septic systems and manure storage systems to assure discharge doesn’t enter a drinking water aquafer or the lakes.
- Control natural debris - Lawn waste such as leaves, pine needles, grass clippings and campfire and burning pit ash also contain nutrients harmful to the lakes. They should not be dumped or stored close to the lakeshore. Consider composting your lawn and garden waste. Raising your mower height can help your lawn establish deeper roots to help it better survive dry periods. Mulch and leave your grass clippings on the lawn as thatch and a natural fertilizer.
- Practice responsible boating - When boating and fishing on the lakes observe posted “No-Wake” zones which are designed to increase water safety and reduce erosion of the shoreline and lake bottom. Avoid using your boat engine to push your boat onto the trailer. This practice (known as ”power loading) in shallow areas near landings, stirs up sediment and erodes the landing. It is also illegal in most areas.
Chetek Lakes Protection Brochure
In 2020 we redesigned our brochure to assist the many homeowners and visitors that come to our Lakes each year seeking rest, relaxation, and natural beauty. If the brochure doesn't answer your questions, please text email, facebook, or call us to get answers!
| 2020_brochure.pdf |
