Kenosha
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Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
Hooker Lake is an 87-acre lake located in the Town of Salem in Kenosha County, and drains to the Salem Branch of Brighton Creek.
Date 2011
Author Aquatic Biologist
Historical Description
Hooker Lake is a warm water seepage lake is part of the headwaters of Salem Branch. Its water levels have fluctuated by 0.5-1.5 ft. in recent years. It was chemically rehabilitated in 1971 to remove the large carp population and restocked with largemouth bass, northern pike, and walleyes. Recent surveys indicate that a viable northern pike, largemouth bass, walleye and panfish fishery is present. With the removal of carp, water clarity improved and beds of vegetation returned. The DNR owns 40 acres of cattail marsh on the north side. This marsh provides habitat for spawning northern pike and for wildlife such as muskrats, waterfowl, and shorebirds. Public access is available form 3 unimproved boat ramps on the north, east, and west sides. There is a concrete sill type control structure on the outlet that maintains a 1.0 ft. head.
Source: 1982, Surface Water Resources of Kenosha County Hooker Lake, TlN, R20E, Section 11 Surface Acres = 87.0, Maximum Depth = 37 ft, Secchi disc = 2.0 ft.
Date 1982
Author Aquatic Biologist
General Condition
Trophic Status
The Wisconsin Trophic State Index, as calculated from data taken by the Citizen Lake Volunteer Monitor on Paddock Lake, classifies the lake as slightly eutrophic.
Aquatic Plant Diversity
Hooker Lake supports a healthy and diverse aquatic plant community, though invasives such as Curly-leaf pondweed and Eurasian Watermilfoil are present. Measures to control the invasive plants, principally herbicidal control for EWM, are sponsored annually by the Hooker Lake Management District.
Date 2011
Author Aquatic Biologist
Impaired Waters
Hooker Lake was evaluated for phosphorus and algae every two years from 2016 to 2020. In 2020 phosphorus levels were found to be too high, which was reflected in algal blooms. This water was added to the impaired waters list in 2020.
Date 2020
Author Ashley Beranek
Condition
Wisconsin has over 84,000 miles of streams, 15,000 lakes and milllions of acres of wetlands. Assessing the condition of this vast amount of water is challenging. The state's water monitoring program uses a media-based, cross-program approach to analyze water condition. An updated monitoring strategy (2015-2020) is now available. Compliance with Clean Water Act fishable, swimmable standards are located in the Executive Summary of Water Condition in 2018. See also the 'monitoring and projects' tab.
Reports
Recommendations
Social Survey of Residents or Users
Shoreland Monitoring, Assessment, Inventory
Shoreland Monitoring, Assessment or Inventory
Management Goals
Wisconsin's Water Quality Standards provide qualitative and quantitative goals for waters that are protective of Fishable, Swimmable conditions [Learn more]. Waters that do not meet water quality standards are considered impaired and restoration actions are planned and carried out until the water is once again fishable and swimmable
Management goals can include creation or implementation of a Total Maximum Daily Load analysis, a Nine Key Element Plan, or other restoration work, education and outreach and more. If specific recommendations exist for this water, they will be displayed below online.
Monitoring
Monitoring the condition of a river, stream, or lake includes gathering physical, chemical, biological, and habitat data. Comprehensive studies often gather all these parameters in great detail, while lighter assessment events will involve sampling physical, chemical and biological data such as macroinvertebrates. Aquatic macroinvertebrates and fish communities integrate watershed or catchment condition, providing great insight into overall ecosystem health. Chemical and habitat parameters tell researchers more about human induced problems including contaminated runoff, point source dischargers, or habitat issues that foster or limit the potential of aquatic communities to thrive in a given area. Wisconsin's Water Monitoring Strategy was recenty updated.
Grants and Management Projects
Monitoring Projects
| WBIC | Official Waterbody Name | Station ID | Station Name | Earliest Fieldwork Date | Latest Fieldwork Date | View Station | View Data |
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| 738400 | Hooker Lake | 10003085 | Hooker Lake | 6/1/1993 | 9/15/2017 | Map | Data |
| 738400 | Hooker Lake | 10017771 | Hooker Lake -- Access at W Side Of Lake Nr Sth 83 | 7/21/2012 | 6/24/2023 | Map | Data |
| 738400 | Hooker Lake | 10014819 | Hooker Lake | | | Map | Data |
| 738400 | Hooker Lake | 10017770 | Hooker Lake -- Access at N Side Of Lake Nr 78th | 6/10/2007 | 5/4/2023 | Map | Data |
| 738400 | Hooker Lake | 303053 | Hooker Lake - Deep Hole | 7/22/1991 | 8/12/2018 | Map | Data |
| 738400 | Hooker Lake | 10018002 | Hooker Lake -- Access at End Of 80th Pl | 7/25/2009 | 5/4/2023 | Map | Data |
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Watershed Characteristics
Hooker Lake is located in the Des Plaines River watershed which is 133.34 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (57.90%), suburban (11%) and a mix of wetland (8.90%) and other uses (22.30%). This watershed has 216.36 stream miles, 755.01 lake acres and 7,194.07 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked High for runoff impacts on streams, High for runoff impacts on lakes and High for runoff impacts on groundwater and therefore has an overall rank of High. This value can be used in ranking the watershed or individual waterbodies for grant funding under state and county programs.However, all waters are affected by diffuse pollutant sources regardless of initial water quality. Applications for specific runoff projects under state or county grant programs may be pursued. For more information, go to surface water program grants.