THE STORY OF RED LAKE Douglas County Pamela Toshner DNR Lake Management Coordinator June 2006

Today’s Presentation Why I’m here Why I’m here The birth of Red Lake The birth of Red Lake Red Lake’s characteristics Red Lake’s characteristics Pleasures and concerns Pleasures and concerns The future The future

Wisconsin lakes and streams are held in trust for all citizens as “common highways and forever free.” Article IX, Section 1, Wisconsin Constitution

MN DNR

Retreating glaciers created Red Lake about 10,000 years ago

Bayfield Barrens or Northwest Sands Bayfield Barrens or Northwest Sands Kettle or seepage lake (melting chunk of ice imbedded in glacial outwash) Kettle or seepage lake (melting chunk of ice imbedded in glacial outwash) No inlet or outlet No inlet or outlet Natural progression to more sediments, plants, etc. over thousands of years Natural progression to more sediments, plants, etc. over thousands of years Glacial creation continued…

Whitefish (Bardon) 25 ft (104 feet deep) Beauregard 6 ft (20 feet deep) Water is clear but may not be as clear as in the 1960s (1.5 feet decrease)

Aquatic plant community is important and diverse 42 species – all native 42 species – all native 7 less common species indicative of good water quality 7 less common species indicative of good water quality More taller-growing species than in 1930s More taller-growing species than in 1930s Borman, S. November Lake Plants and Lakeshores of Northern Wisconsin: How Have They changed Over the Past 70 Years? North American Lake Management Society's 25th International Symposium, Madison, WI.

Fishery is good Walleye stocked even numbered years (35 fingerlings/acre) Walleye stocked even numbered years (35 fingerlings/acre) Northern pike, large- and smallmouth bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, black crappie, perch, and bullhead Northern pike, large- and smallmouth bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, black crappie, perch, and bullhead

Land use has changed. Since the 1930s… 13% increase in residential land use 13% increase in residential land use 20% decrease in woodland 20% decrease in woodland 13% increase in open (<50% wooded) 13% increase in open (<50% wooded) Cropland decreased Cropland decreased 1973: 34 cottages mostly on west shore 2006: ??? Most cottages replaced by homes and more homes overall Borman, S. November Lake Plants and Lakeshores of Northern Wisconsin: How Have They changed Over the Past 70 Years? North American Lake Management Society's 25th International Symposium, Madison, WI.

Red Lake Management Pleasures Generally good condition Generally good condition Wild shorelines Wild shorelines Good fish habitat Good fish habitat Clear water Clear water Concerns Impervious surfaces Impervious surfaces Suburban lawns Suburban lawns Fertilizer use Fertilizer use Tree removal Tree removal

Trophic States Of Lakes Cultural eutrophication speeds up natural aging process of lakes

Undeveloped – Apr.-Oct. phosphorus/sediment runoff model Source: Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources

1940s development – Apr.-Oct. phosphorus/sediment runoff model Source: Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources

1990s development – Apr.-Oct. phosphorus/sediment runoff model Source: Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources

Months of Ice Cover Climate Change - Trend in Ice Cover Duration Lake Mendota, Wisconsin Source: John Magnuson

Red Lake’s future depends on you! Maintain active lake association Maintain active lake association Continue volunteer monitoring (water chem next year) Continue volunteer monitoring (water chem next year) Protect wild shorelines Protect wild shorelines Restore suburban shorelines Restore suburban shorelines Let trees be trees Let trees be trees Get written history from Chester Get written history from Chester