The White Iron Chain of Lakes Association (WICOLA) is a group of homeowners and lake users who began monitoring the waters of the White Iron Chain in 1993. Members treasured the beautiful lake region and wanted to ensure 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.