The White Iron Chain Of Lakes Association

The White iron Chain of Lakes Association (WICOLA) is a group of homeowners and lake users who began monitoring waters of the White Iron Chain in 1993. Members treasured the beautiful lake region and wanted to insure that its waters remained clean and pure forever.

Working with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, WICOLA soon realized that an accurate study of the White Iron Chain depended on the state of water in the rivers and streams in the Kawishiwi Watershed feeding the lakes. WICOLA applied for and received grants from the MPCA in 2010 which allow expanded stewardship throughout the Kawishiwi Watershed. The result was the Kawishiwi Watershed Protection Project, a true partnership between government agencies, the MPCA and Lake County, and citizenry.

Kawishiwi Watershed Protection Project

The Kawishiwi Watershed Protection Project (KWPP) is a three-year project which will collect data for the development of a comprehensive watershed management plan to maintain or improve water quality in the Kawishiwi Watershed. Data will be gathered from a number of sources: monitoring, testing and analyzing lakes and streams; educating watershed users about Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS); identifying areas needing restoration; and recording and mapping Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems.

The KWPP has been citizen-led from the beginning, and its success depends on the efforts of many volunteers willing to venture into the far reaches of the watershed and bring back data. Click here to find out how you can help.