Carstens Lake, Sevenmile and Silver Creeks Watershed (MA01)
Carstens Lake, Sevenmile and Silver Creeks Watershed (MA01)
Carstens Lake (66800)
22.34 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
Poor
 
This lake is impaired
Excess Algal Growth, Degraded Aquatic Vegetation, Eutrophication
Total Phosphorus
 
Manitowoc
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.
Yes

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.
Restricted Aquatic Life
Fish and Aquatic Life communities are not fully supported in this ecosystem.
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

Carstens Lake, the headwaters of Pine Creek, is one of four small lakes in the Sevenmile-Silver Creek Watershed. It is a hard water seepage lake in a ground moraine, with a surface area of 20 acres, a maximum depth of 30 feet, and a mean depth of 12 feet. The total shoreline length is 0.77 miles, with 0.3 miles in public ownership. Six acres of wetlands adjoin the lake, which drains a 1.0 square mile watershed. Northern pike are present, largemouth bass and panfish are abundant.

Carstens Lake is a high priority for sensitive area designation. Sensitive areas are areas of aquatic vegetation offering critical or unique fish and wildlife habitat, water quality protection, or erosion control benefits to the lake. Refer to the Aquatic Plant Management Program in the Lakes Report for additional information on sensitive area designation.

In 1982, the lake was treated with a piscicide to eliminate excessive rough fish populations and a fish barrier was placed at the lake outlet. Since the rough fish were removed, water clarity has improved, no longer algae dominated, and macrophyte (rooted aquatic plant) populations have increased. Current activities include an aeration program run by the Manitowoc County Lakes Association. In 1995 and 1996 algae dominated the lake. Rooted aquatic plants were scarce. In the past rooted aquatic plants were observed in large quantities and were said to inhibit recreational use of the lake (Ward 1996).

The aeration of Carstens lake is conducted as needed. Currently, the Bureau of Fisheries Management and Habitat Protection cannot operate the aerator; unless sport club members volunteer to run the aerator, it will not be operated in the near future (Hogler 1996).

In 1994 a WDNR biologist identified and confirmed the presence of Eurasian water milfoil in Carstens Lake (Johnson 1994).

Date  2002

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

Source: 1968, Surface Water Resources of Manitowoc County Carsten Lake, T18N, R23E, Section 17 Surface acres - 20, S.D.F. = 1.23, Maximum depth = 30 feet.

A hard water seepage lake in ground moraine. The water is turbid and the bottom mucky. The lake constitutes the headwaters of Pine Creek with the outlet at the southeast end. Managed for largemouth bass, crappies and bluegills, it experiences no major use problems. Access is available through a town road and county park. Adjacent wetlands total 6 acres, one-half of which is wooded. Waterfowl make limited use of the lake and hunting is permitted.

Date  1968

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Carstens Lake, Sevenmile and Silver Creeks Watershed (MA01) Fish and Aquatic LifeCarstens Lake, Sevenmile and Silver Creeks Watershed (MA01) RecreationCarstens Lake, Sevenmile and Silver Creeks Watershed (MA01) Fish Consumption

General Condition

In 1982, the lake was treated with a piscicide to eliminate excessive rough fish populations and a fish barrier was placed at the lake outlet. Since the rough fish were removed, water clarity has improved, no longer algae dominated, and macrophyte (rooted aquatic plant) populations have increased. Current activities include an aeration program.

In 1995 and 1996 algae dominated the lake. Rooted aquatic plants were scarce. In the past rooted aquatic plants were observed in large quantities and were said to inhibit recreational use of the lake (Ward 1996). The aeration of Carstens lake is conducted as needed. Currently, the Bureau of Fisheries Management and Habitat Protection cannot operate the aerator; unless sport club members volunteer to run the aerator, it will not be operated in the near future (Hogler 1996).

In 1994 a WDNR biologist identified and confirmed the presence of Eurasian water milfoil in Carstens Lake (Johnson 1994). Carstens Lake Manitowoc County T18N, R23E, Sec. 17

Date  1997

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Impaired Waters

Carstens Lake (WBIC 66800) was placed on the impaired waters list for 2014. The 2018 assessments showed continued impairment by phosphorus; new total phosphorus sample data overwhelmingly exceeded the 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use and Fish and Aquatic Life use. Chlorophyll-a sample data exceeded the REC use thresholds, and nearly exceeded the FAL use thresholds. Based on the most updated information, no change in existing impaired waters listing was needed.

Date  2017

Author  Ashley Beranek

Impaired Waters

Carstens Lake (66800) was placed on the impaired waters list for 2014. The 2016 assessments showed continued impairment by phosphorus; total phosphorus sample data overwhelmingly exceed 2016 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use, exceeded Fish and Aquatic Life use, and chlorophyll data exceeded REC and FAL thresholds. Based on the most updated information, no change in existing impaired waters listing is needed.

Date  2015

Author  Aaron Larson

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

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

Carstens Lake is located in the Sevenmile and Silver Creeks watershed which is 112.90 miĀ². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (57.20%), grassland (18.40%) and a mix of wetland (7.50%) and other uses (16.80%). This watershed has 184.08 stream miles, 10,577.89 lake acres and 4,732.70 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked High for runoff impacts on streams, Not Ranked 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

Carstens Lake 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.