Upper Eau Claire Lake, Bayfield County - Critical Habitat Designation
Critical Habitat Designation occurred on Upper Eau Claire Lake in Bayfield County during 2007 and 2008. Upper Eau Claire Lake, which is a 996 acre lake with a max depth of 92 feet, is part of the Eau Claire Chain of Lakes and is located upstream from Middle Eau Claire Lake. Access to Upper Eau Claire Lake is via a public boat launch on Peninsula Road.
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