Clark County, Wisconsin
LC16
2143900
310.27
Water is impaired due to one or more pollutants and associated quality impacts.
Notes
303(d) listed; TMDL approved 2008. Mead Lake was placed on Wisconsin's 1998 list of impaired waters due to impairments caused by excessive sediment and phosphorus. The approved 2006 list includes Mead Lake with phosphorus and sediment as pollutants contributing to eutrophication, pH criteria exceedances, and sediment impairments. The draft 2008 list also includes Mead Lake with phosphorus and sediment as pollutants contributing to the degraded habitat, excess algal blooms and pH criteria exceedances. The TMDL report states that the 2008 list has been updated to reflect the State's current understanding of the impairments in Mead Lake. Mead Lake is a shallow lake with phosphorus-laden sediments and excessive phosphorus levels in the water column which cause the lake to experience severe algal blooms during the growing season, May through September, often accompanied by elevated pH levels. The goal of the TMDL is to reduce sediment and phosphorus loadings to Mead Lake. Such reductions will cause a decrease in chlorophyll levels leading to a reduction in algal blooms during the growing season which will cause reductions in pH levels, thereby improving the degraded habitat.
This water was assessed during the 2016 listing cycle; total phosphorus sample data exceed 2016 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use and Fish and Aquatic Life use, chlorophyll data only exceed REC thresholds, not FAL.
This water was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; new total phosphorus sample data overwhelmingly exceed 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use and the Fish and Aquatic Life use, and chlorophyll data also exceeded REC and FAL thresholds.
Assessments during the 2020 listing cycle confirm impairment based on total phosphorus and chlorophyll levels too high for healthy aquatic communities like plants, fish, and bugs. Eutrophication was added as an impairment in 2020.Pollutant
Total Phosphorus
Listed For
Recreation
Impairments
Low DO, Excess Algal Growth, Eutrophication
Current Use
Restricted Recreation
Listing Status
TMDL Approved
Attainable Use
Recreation
Priority
Not Applicable
Designated Use
Recreation
303(d) ID
35484-277
Listing Date
4/1/1998
Impaired Water Notes
Two TMDLs have been established, one for phosphorus and one for
sediment, which will address three impairments in Mead Lake: degraded habitat, excess algal growth, and pH exceedances. TMDLs approved October 2, 2008.
Date
10/2/2008
Impaired Water Notes
This water was assessed during the 2016 listing cycle; total phosphorus sample data exceed 2016 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use and Fish and Aquatic Life use, chlorophyll data only exceed REC thresholds, not FAL.
Date
2/5/2016
Impaired Water Notes
This water was assessed during the 2020 listing cycle; total phosphorus sample data overwhelmingly exceeded 2020 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use and Aquatic Life use, and chlorophyll data also exceeded REC and FAL thresholds. Based on updated information, eutrophication was proposed as an additional impairment in 2020.
Date
7/26/2019
Pollutant
Sediment/Total Suspended Solids
Listed For
Fish and Aquatic Life
Impairments
Degraded Habitat
Current Use
Unsupported Aquatic Life
Listing Status
TMDL Approved
Attainable Use
WWSF - Warmwater Sport Fishery
Priority
Not Applicable
Designated Use
WWSF - Warmwater Sport Fishery
303(d) ID
277
Listing Date
4/1/1998
Impaired Water Notes
Two TMDLs have been established, one for phosphorus and one for
sediment, which will address three impairments in Mead Lake: degraded habitat, excess algal growth, and pH exceedances. TMDLs approved October 2, 2008.
Date
9/25/2008