Shunenberg Lake, Bayfield County - Critical Habitat Designation
Critical Habitat Designation occurred on Shunenberg Lake in Bayfield County during 2007 and 2008. Shunenberg Lake, which is a 44 acre lake with a max depth of 6 feet, is part of the Eau Claire Chain of Lakes and is located between Sweet Lake and Smith Lake. Access to Shunenberg Lake is through navigable water from both Sweet Lake and Smith Lake via the public boat launch on Upper Eau Claire Lake.
Designations were conducted by a team consisting of the county fisheries biologist, water resources specialist, wildlife biologist, and critical habitat coordinator. Initially, DNR staff compile and review existing natural resource data that help identify areas of focus related to fish, wildlife, endangered resources, and their habitats before going into the field. In the field, staff used existing natural resource data, delineation guidance, and professional judgment to establish the boundaries of the sites containing critical habitat. Critical Habitat Designation boundaries were recorded in the field using map grade Trimble Geo XM GPS Units. For each site, staff inventoried current shoreline management practices occurring along littoral, bank, riparian, and setback zones following standardized methods. Depending on the features of each area being delineated, standardized sampling of emergent and submergent aquatic vegetation, substrate, and woody habitat was also conducted.
Final Report and Products