Vilas County, Wisconsin
LS16
2954800
523.16
Water is impaired due to one or more pollutants and associated quality impacts.
Notes
Oxbow Lake was placed on the Impaired Waters List in 2014 for mercury in fish tissue and high phosphorus in the water.
Oxbow Lake was evaluated every two-year cycle from 2014 to 2024; phosphorus was above criteria each time, confirming the 2014 listing. Aquatic plants and algae communities do not show any impairments.Pollutant
Mercury
Listed For
Fish Consumption
Impairments
Mercury Contaminated Fish Tissue
Current Use
Specific Restricted Fish Consumption
Listing Status
303d Listed
Attainable Use
General Fish Consumption Advice
Priority
Low
Designated Use
General Fish Consumption Advice
303(d) ID
2014-307
Listing Date
4/1/2014
Impaired Water Notes
Previously on the 303(d) list due to mercury, but was delisted in 2006 because data verfied general fish consumption advisory only, not specific advisory. New data (2001-2012) for walleye changes the consumption advice
from general to general plus exceptions for walleye greater than 21 inches, which puts this lake back on the impaired waters list.
Date
1/16/2014
Pollutant
Total Phosphorus
Listed For
Recreation
Impairments
Impairment Unknown
Current Use
Restricted Recreation
Listing Status
303d Listed
Attainable Use
Recreation
Priority
Low
Designated Use
Recreation
303(d) ID
2014-306
Listing Date
4/1/2014
Impaired Water Notes
This water was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; total phosphorus sample data exceed 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use and Fish and Aquatic Life use, however chlorophyll data do not exceed REC or FAL thresholds.
Date
7/11/2017
Impaired Water Notes
This water was assessed during the 2014 listing cycle; total phosphorus sample data exceed 2014 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use and Fish and Aquatic Life use, however chlorophyll data do not exceed REC or FAL thresholds.
Date
1/16/2014
Impaired Water Notes
This water was assessed during the 2016 listing cycle; chlorophyll sample data were clearly below 2016 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use and Fish and Aquatic Life use. Total phosphorus data did not exceed REC or FAL thresholds. The TP listing remains because TP data were not clearly below listing thresholds.
Date
10/26/2015
Impaired Water Notes
This water was assessed during the 2020 listing cycle; total phosphorus sample data exceeded 2020 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use and Fish and Aquatic Life use, however chlorophyll data did not exceed REC or FAL thresholds. Based on the most updated information, no change in existing impaired waters listing is needed.
Date
6/19/2019
Impaired Water Notes
This water was assessed during the 2022 listing cycle; total phosphorus sample data exceeded 2022 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use and Fish and Aquatic Life use, however chlorophyll data did not exceed REC or FAL thresholds. Based on the most updated information, no change in existing impaired waters listing is needed.
Date
4/13/2021