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The Five Yahara Lakes

Understanding our lakes

The 62-mile long Yahara River connects Lakes Mendota, Monona, Wingra, Waubesa, and Kegonsa in a chain that winds through south-central Wisconsin. Learn more about each lake, and follow the links to lake-by-lake pages with annual updates on water quality conditions.

Lake Mendota

Lake Mendota is the first and largest lake in the Yahara chain – learn more about Lake Mendota.

Lake Monona

Lake Monona is the second lake in the Yahara chain – learn more about Lake Monona.

Lake Mendota - Union - Thomas Klingele
University of Wisconsin-Madison Memorial Union Pier on Lake Mendota
Courtesy: Thomas Klingele
Katie Wheeler - Lake Monona
Lake Monona
Courtesy: Katie Wheeler

Lake Wingra

Lake Wingra is the smallest Yahara lake, connected to Lake Monona via Wingra Creek – learn more about Lake Wingra.

Lake Waubesa

Lake Waubesa is third lake in the Yahara chain – learn more about Lake Waubesa.

Lake Wingra
Lake Wingra, in Madison, Wisconsin as the sun was going down in Nov. 2013
Courtesy: Richard Hurd
Aquatic Plant Harvesting on Lake Waubesa
Aquatic plant harvesting on Lake Waubesa
Ice Boats on Lake Kegonsa
Ice boats on Lake Kegonsa

Lake Kegonsa

Lake Kegonsa is the fourth lake in the Yahara chain – learn more about Lake Kegonsa.

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