White Mound Lake

White Mound Lake earns a C — middle-of-the-pack water quality, with one or two parameters dragging the average down from a stronger grade. Secchi readings are the weakest of the scored parameters, suggesting suspended sediment or algal biomass dominates the optical signal.

A TSI in the eutrophic range signals a lake doing what nutrient-loaded waters do — supporting an active algal community at the cost of clear water. White Mound Lake reaches 16 ft at its deepest point — typical for Wisconsin mid-sized lakes, with seasonal stratification but limited cold-water refuge. At 93 acres, White Mound Lake sits below the Wisconsin median: a small water where shoreline activity has an outsized effect on water quality. White Mound Lake ranks 4 of 11 in Sauk County — solidly in the upper half of the local distribution.

Eurasian watermilfoil is established at White Mound Lake, which can dampen recreational access and pressure the native plant community. Bass fishing is part of the appeal: the species list runs to 3, anchored by largemouth and/or smallmouth bass. Monitoring depth is thin here: the LakeGrade rubric is applied to a small number of sample years, and the grade will be revised as more data accumulates.