Pine Lake (Cloverleaf Chain), North Branch and Mainstem Embarrass Rive Watershed (WR09)
Pine Lake (Cloverleaf Chain), North Branch and Mainstem Embarrass Rive Watershed (WR09)
Pine Lake (Cloverleaf Chain) (299100)
217.13 Acres
Natural Community
Natural communities (stream and lake natural communities) represent model results that use predicted flow and temperature based on landscape features and related assumptions. Ranges of flow and temperature associated with specific aquatic life communities (fish, macroinvertebrates) help biologists identify appropriate resource management goals. Wisconsin Natural Communities.
Deep Headwater
Year Last Monitored
This is the most recent date of monitoring data stored in SWIMS. Additional surveys for fish and habitat may be available subsequent to this date.
2024
Excellent
 
Shawano
Trout Water 
Trout Waters are represented by Class I, Class II or Class III waters. These classes have specific ecological characteristics and management actions associated with them. For more information regarding Trout Classifications, see the Fisheries Trout Class Webpages.
No
Outstanding or Exceptional 
Wisconsin has designated many of the state's highest quality waters as Outstanding Resource Waters (ORWs) or Exceptional Resource Waters (ERWs). Waters designated as ORW or ERW are surface waters which provide outstanding recreational opportunities, support valuable fisheries and wildlife habitat, have good water quality, and are not significantly impacted by human activities. ORW and ERW status identifies waters that the State of Wisconsin has determined warrant additional protection from the effects of pollution. These designations are intended to meet federal Clean Water Act obligations requiring Wisconsin to adopt an 'antidegradation' policy that is designed to prevent any lowering of water quality - especially in those waters having significant ecological or cultural value.
No
Impaired Water 
A water is polluted or 'impaired' if it does not support full use by humans, wildlife, fish and other aquatic life and it is shown that one or more of the pollutant criteria are not met.
No

Fish and Aquatic Life

Current Use
The use the water currently supports. This is not a designation or classification; it is based on the current condition of the water. Information in this column is not designed for, and should not be used for, regulatory purposes.
Deep Headwater
Deep headwater lake describes the depth and location of the lake in a watershed. These variables affect the lakes response to watershed variables.
Attainable Use
The use that the investigator believes the water could achieve through managing "controllable" sources. Beaver dams, hydroelectric dams, low gradient streams, and naturally occurring low flows are generally not considered controllable. The attainable use may be the same as the current use or it may be higher.
Default FAL
Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.
Designated Use
This is the water classification legally recognized by NR102 and NR104, Wis. Adm. Code. The classification determines water quality criteria and effluent limits. Waters obtain designated uses through classification procedures.
Default FAL
Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.

Overview

Pine Lake (Cloverleaf Chain), in the North Branch and Mainstem Embarrass Rive Watershed, is a 217.13 acre lake that falls in Shawano County. This lake is managed for fishing and swimming and is currently not considered impaired.

Date  2011

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

Source: 1968, Surface Water Resources of Shawano County Pine Lake, T26N, R15E,Section 34 Surface Acres = 208.6, S.D.F. = 1.04, Maximum Depth = 35 feet.

A hard water drainage lake having slightly alkaline, clear water of moderate transparency. Littoral materials consist of gravel (55 percent), rock (25 percent), sand (10 percent), and muck. The entire shoreline is upland. The assortment of warmwater species inhabiting this lake includes muskellunge, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, perch, bluegill, black crappie, rock bass, pumpkinseed, green sunfish, black bullhead, carp, white sucker, buffalo, long-nose gar, bowfin, burbot, and golden shiner. The lake is considered to have a stunted fish problem. Puddle ducks and diving ducks make use of this lake on their spring and fall migrations. Canada geese and coot also frequent this lake on occasion. A town provides for a very small swimming beach. Public access consists of 2 sites, one with parking and the other without parking as well as the navigable water type as lake is part of the Cloverleaf Chain. Commercial facilities consist of four resorts. There are 134 dwellings located on the shoreline. Water levels are influenced by a water control structure of one head foot located at the outlet. The outlet is tributary to the Embarrass River (Waupaca County).

Date  1968

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Pine Lake (Cloverleaf Chain), North Branch and Mainstem Embarrass Rive Watershed (WR09) Fish and Aquatic LifePine Lake (Cloverleaf Chain), North Branch and Mainstem Embarrass Rive Watershed (WR09) RecreationPine Lake (Cloverleaf Chain), North Branch and Mainstem Embarrass Rive Watershed (WR09) Fish Consumption

General Condition

Pine Lake (Cloverleaf Chain) (299100) was assessed during the 2016 listing cycle; total phosphorus and chlorophyll sample data were clearly below 2016 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use and Fish and Aquatic Life use. This water was also assessed for chlorides and sample data were clearly below 2016 WisCALM chronic and acute listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use. This water is meeting these designated uses and is not considered impaired.

Date  2015

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

Best Management Practices, Implement
The Town of Belle Plaine will implement best practices described in Wisconsin's 2014-2017 Healthy Lakes Implementation Plan on the Cloverleaf Lakes. Practices include: fish sticks, 350 ft2 native plantings, and rain gardens on at least 12 properties, including the Gibson Island and Round Lake Park demonstration sites. The best practices require a contract to remain in effect for 10 years and must include minimum operation and maintenance requirements and data collection as described in grant condition #16.
Habitat Restoration - Shoreland
Practices include (across Pine, Round, and Grass Lakes): fish sticks, 350 ft2 native plantings, and rain gardens on at least 12 properties, including the Gibson Island and Round Lake Park demonstration sites.

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

Watershed Characteristics

Pine Lake is located in the North Branch and Mainstem Embarrass Rive watershed which is 312.62 miĀ². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (39.30%), wetland (26.10%) and a mix of forest (22.90%) and other uses (11.70%). This watershed has 488.32 stream miles, 1,175.84 lake acres and 51,339.03 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.

Natural Community

Pine Lake (Cloverleaf Chain) is considered a Deep Headwater under the state's Natural Community Determinations.

Natural communities (stream and lake natural communities) represent model results and DNR staff valiation processes that confirm or update predicted conditions based on flow and temperature modeling from historic and current landscape features and related variables. Predicated flow and temperatures for waters are associated predicated fish assemblages (communities). Biologists evaluate the model results against current survey data to determine if the modeled results are corect and whether biological indicators show water quaity degradation. This analysis is a core component of the state's resource management framework. Wisconsin's Riverine Natural Communities.

Deep headwater lake describes the depth and location of the lake in a watershed. These variables affect the lakes response to watershed variables.