Overview

Becker Lake is a 31.2-acre seepage lake with an intermittent outlet to Grass Lake and an intermittent inlet from Long Lake in Manitowoc County. The drainage basin covers 14.50 square miles. The maximum depth is 51 feet with a mean depth of 15 feet. There is 0.98 miles of shoreline, of which 0.05 miles are publicly owned. Northern pike, largemouth and smallmouth bass are present and panfish are common. Becker Lake fish community structure shows signs of occasional to frequent fish kills.

Date  2002

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

Source: 1971, Surface Water Resources of Calumet County Becker Lake, T19N, R20E, Section 12(4), Area = 31.2 acres Maximum Depth = 51 feet, Secchi disk = 1.5 feet.

Becker Lake is a hard water seepage basin landlocked except for an intermittent outlet to nearby Grass Lake and an intermittent inlet from Long Lake in Manitowoc County. The lake contains turbid water throughout most of the open water season. Sand, gravel, silt, an detritus are primary littoral bottom materials. Bluegill, black crappie, black bullhead, perch, and carp are the most common fish species found while other species present include northern pike, largemouth bass, brown bullhead, pumpkinseed, and white or common sucker. Northern pike and largemouth bass can and do enter Becker from Long Lake during high water. The lake suffers from an occasional partial winterkill affecting primarily the marginal fishery but because of local opposition the project was never completed. Poor agricultural practices in the adjacent watershed have contributed to an increase in the rate of eutrophication of this basin as is reflected in the intense algae blooms often present. Most of the immediate shoreline is either pastured or cultivated. Over pasturing has caused extensive shoreline erosion along the south and east shore. Wildlife use is limited to a few puddle ducks during spring and fall migrations. Hunting is permitted. Public access is available from a county-owned launching ramp. Limited parking is available. Other developments include two cottages.

Date  1971

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Impaired Waters

Becker Lake (WBIC 77300) was listed for total phosphorus in 2016. The 2018 assessments showed continued impairment by phosphorus; new total phosphorus and chlorophyll-a sample data exceeded the 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use and Fish and Aquatic Life use. Based on the most updated information, no change in existing impaired waters listing was needed.

Date  2017

Author  Ashley Beranek

Impaired Waters

Becker Lake (77300) was assessed during the 2016 listing cycle; total phosphorus and chlorophyll sample data exceed 2016 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use and Fish and Aquatic Life use.

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

Recommendations

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

Becker Lake is located in the North Branch Manitowoc River watershed which is 76.97 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (61.80%), grassland (16%) and a mix of wetland (14.60%) and other uses (7.50%). This watershed has 129.77 stream miles, 292.80 lake acres and 7,389.45 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Not Ranked 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.