Black Otter Lake is a shallow 75-acre impoundment located in the village of Hortonville (Figures 1 and 2). Two tributary streams and numerous storm water culverts feed the lake. Black Otter Creek drains from the lake directly into the Wolf River. With two public boat launches, a county park and a village park on its shores, Black Otter Lake receives substantial recreational use throughout the year. As the only lake in Outagamie County having public access, area residents consider Black Otter Lake an important natural resource. The Black Otter Lake District was formed in 1976 to help restore and protect the lake.

Black Otter Lake District proposes to update the management plan for Black Otter Lake in Outagamie County. Specifaclly, Black Otter Lake District will 1) assess the water quality of Black Otter Lake during the growing season, 2) identify sources of nutrient inputs from the tributaries and near-shore areas of the watershed, 3) develop nutrient budgets to analyze nutrient and predict lake responses to changes in the watershed, and 4) use the knowledge gained by this study to develop a detailed report that identifies and prioritizes watershed management recommendations.