Lower Eau Claire Lake, Douglas County - Critical Habitat Designation
Critical Habitat Designation occurred on Lower Eau Claire Lake in Bayfield and Douglas Counties during 2007 and 2008. Lower Eau Claire Lake is an 802 acre lake with a max depth of 41 feet and is located downstream of Middle Eau Claire Lake. Access to Lower Eau Claire Lake is via a public boat launch located at Mooney Dam County Park.
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