Lake Minocqua

The name Minocqua means "noon day rest" which is translated from the Ojibwe word "Ninocqua". It resides between the towns of Minocqua and Woodruff. The area is located in the "Lakeland" area in Northern Wisconsin, and is a major tourist location. To the west Lake Minocqua is connected to Lake Kawaguesaga, both of the lakes water levels are controlled by the Minocqua Dam.

Physical aspects

Lake Minocqua is a 1,339-acre (542 ha) lake found in Northern Wisconsin, located at 45°52′16″N 089°41′44″W / 45.87111°N 89.69556°W. It has a maximum depth of 60 ft (18 m) and a mean depth of 23 ft (7.0 m). The lake has a shoreline of 15.68 miles (25.23 km) without islands, and 19.08 miles (30.71 km) with islands included. The volume of the lake is 10.2 billion us gallons (8,493,276,683 imperial gallons). The bottom sediment of the lake is composed of sand (65%), muck (16%), rock (4%), and gravel (15%). The hydrologic lake type of Lake Minocqua is drainage. The lake surrounds the town of Minocqua and there is a bridge that crosses over the lake towards its southwestern border. Water inflow to the lake through two main sources, Minocqua Thoroughfare and Tomahawk Thoroughfare. The lake flows into the Tomahawk River and other surround lakes, such as Mid Lake, with the average residence time for water in the lake being around 1.5 years. The elevation of the lake reaches 1,585 ft (483 m). Lake Minocqua is divided into three basins (Northwest basin, Southwest basin, and East basin) and is home to multiple islands.

Islands

• School House Island. Located on the northern part of the lake in the west basin, the shoreland area is approximately 50% developed and 50% shallow marsh wetland habitat. The shoreland area around the island is approximately 90% wooded and 10% developed. There are two piers and one well-hidden house
• Clumb’s Island. Located in the east basin, south of Huber Bay. The shoreland area around the island is approximately 90% wooded and 10% developed, and one well-hidden house.
• Kline Island. This is a small island directly north of Jossart Island in the east basin of the lake. The island is nearly 100% wooded with a small cabin that is concealed behind trees.
• Jossart Island. Located in the east basin directly south of Kline Island. The shoreland area around the island is approximately 90% wooded and 10% developed. There is one boat house present.
• Fisher’s Island. As the largest island on Minocqua Lake, it is located in the central part of the east basin. Largely wooded areas and uninhabited.
• Crescent Island. This is a small island east of Fisher’s Island. Shoreland area around the island is 100% wooded. Also uninhabited.

The lake's islands are habitat to a variety of fish and wildlife species.

Water quality

The hardness of Lake Minocqua falls between 45 and 50 mg/L (0.0028 and 0.0031 lb/cu ft) as CaCO₃ which means the water classifies as "soft". The lake is typically classified as a dimictic lake. The summer thermocline occurs in late June and lasts until the end of September and happens between 13 and 30 feet (4.0 and 9.1 m), experiencing bottom lake temperature that average from 46 to 50 °F (8 to 10 °C).