Hooker Lake, Des Plaines River Watershed (FX01)
Hooker Lake, Des Plaines River Watershed (FX01)
Hooker Lake (738400)
103.26 Acres
Natural Community
Natural communities (stream and lake natural communities) represent model results that use predicted flow and temperature based on landscape features and related assumptions. Ranges of flow and temperature associated with specific aquatic life communities (fish, macroinvertebrates) help biologists identify appropriate resource management goals. Wisconsin Natural Communities.
Deep Headwater
Year Last Monitored
This is the most recent date of monitoring data stored in SWIMS. Additional surveys for fish and habitat may be available subsequent to this date.
2023
Poor
 
This lake is impaired
Impairment Unknown, Excess Algal Growth
Total Phosphorus
 
Kenosha
Trout Water 
Trout Waters are represented by Class I, Class II or Class III waters. These classes have specific ecological characteristics and management actions associated with them. For more information regarding Trout Classifications, see the Fisheries Trout Class Webpages.
No
Outstanding or Exceptional 
Wisconsin has designated many of the state's highest quality waters as Outstanding Resource Waters (ORWs) or Exceptional Resource Waters (ERWs). Waters designated as ORW or ERW are surface waters which provide outstanding recreational opportunities, support valuable fisheries and wildlife habitat, have good water quality, and are not significantly impacted by human activities. ORW and ERW status identifies waters that the State of Wisconsin has determined warrant additional protection from the effects of pollution. These designations are intended to meet federal Clean Water Act obligations requiring Wisconsin to adopt an 'antidegradation' policy that is designed to prevent any lowering of water quality - especially in those waters having significant ecological or cultural value.
No
Impaired Water 
A water is polluted or 'impaired' if it does not support full use by humans, wildlife, fish and other aquatic life and it is shown that one or more of the pollutant criteria are not met.
Yes

Fish and Aquatic Life

Current Use
The use the water currently supports. This is not a designation or classification; it is based on the current condition of the water. Information in this column is not designed for, and should not be used for, regulatory purposes.
Restricted Aquatic Life
Fish and Aquatic Life communities are not fully supported in this ecosystem.
Attainable Use
The use that the investigator believes the water could achieve through managing "controllable" sources. Beaver dams, hydroelectric dams, low gradient streams, and naturally occurring low flows are generally not considered controllable. The attainable use may be the same as the current use or it may be higher.
Default FAL
Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.
Designated Use
This is the water classification legally recognized by NR102 and NR104, Wis. Adm. Code. The classification determines water quality criteria and effluent limits. Waters obtain designated uses through classification procedures.
Default FAL
Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.

Overview

Hooker Lake is an 87-acre lake located in the Town of Salem in Kenosha County, and drains to the Salem Branch of Brighton Creek.

Date  2011

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

Hooker Lake is a warm water seepage lake is part of the headwaters of Salem Branch. Its water levels have fluctuated by 0.5-1.5 ft. in recent years. It was chemically rehabilitated in 1971 to remove the large carp population and restocked with largemouth bass, northern pike, and walleyes. Recent surveys indicate that a viable northern pike, largemouth bass, walleye and panfish fishery is present. With the removal of carp, water clarity improved and beds of vegetation returned. The DNR owns 40 acres of cattail marsh on the north side. This marsh provides habitat for spawning northern pike and for wildlife such as muskrats, waterfowl, and shorebirds. Public access is available form 3 unimproved boat ramps on the north, east, and west sides. There is a concrete sill type control structure on the outlet that maintains a 1.0 ft. head.

Source: 1982, Surface Water Resources of Kenosha County Hooker Lake, TlN, R20E, Section 11 Surface Acres = 87.0, Maximum Depth = 37 ft, Secchi disc = 2.0 ft.

Date  1982

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Hooker Lake, Des Plaines River Watershed (FX01) Fish and Aquatic LifeHooker Lake, Des Plaines River Watershed (FX01) RecreationHooker Lake, Des Plaines River Watershed (FX01) Fish Consumption

General Condition

Trophic Status

The Wisconsin Trophic State Index, as calculated from data taken by the Citizen Lake Volunteer Monitor on Paddock Lake, classifies the lake as slightly eutrophic.

Aquatic Plant Diversity

Hooker Lake supports a healthy and diverse aquatic plant community, though invasives such as Curly-leaf pondweed and Eurasian Watermilfoil are present. Measures to control the invasive plants, principally herbicidal control for EWM, are sponsored annually by the Hooker Lake Management District.

Date  2011

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Impaired Waters

Hooker Lake was evaluated for phosphorus and algae every two years from 2016 to 2020. In 2020 phosphorus levels were found to be too high, which was reflected in algal blooms. This water was added to the impaired waters list in 2020.

Date  2020

Author  Ashley Beranek

Condition

Wisconsin has over 84,000 miles of streams, 15,000 lakes and milllions of acres of wetlands. Assessing the condition of this vast amount of water is challenging. The state's water monitoring program uses a media-based, cross-program approach to analyze water condition. An updated monitoring strategy (2015-2020) is now available. Compliance with Clean Water Act fishable, swimmable standards are located in the Executive Summary of Water Condition in 2018. See also the 'monitoring and projects' tab.

Reports

Recommendations

Shoreland Monitoring, Assessment, Inventory
Shoreland Monitoring, Assessment or Inventory
Social Survey of Residents or Users

Management Goals

Wisconsin's Water Quality Standards provide qualitative and quantitative goals for waters that are protective of Fishable, Swimmable conditions [Learn more]. Waters that do not meet water quality standards are considered impaired and restoration actions are planned and carried out until the water is once again fishable and swimmable

Management goals can include creation or implementation of a Total Maximum Daily Load analysis, a Nine Key Element Plan, or other restoration work, education and outreach and more. If specific recommendations exist for this water, they will be displayed below online.

Monitoring

Monitoring the condition of a river, stream, or lake includes gathering physical, chemical, biological, and habitat data. Comprehensive studies often gather all these parameters in great detail, while lighter assessment events will involve sampling physical, chemical and biological data such as macroinvertebrates. Aquatic macroinvertebrates and fish communities integrate watershed or catchment condition, providing great insight into overall ecosystem health. Chemical and habitat parameters tell researchers more about human induced problems including contaminated runoff, point source dischargers, or habitat issues that foster or limit the potential of aquatic communities to thrive in a given area. Wisconsin's Water Monitoring Strategy was recenty updated.

Grants and Management Projects

Monitoring Projects

Watershed Characteristics

Hooker Lake is located in the Des Plaines River watershed which is 133.34 miĀ². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (57.90%), suburban (11%) and a mix of wetland (8.90%) and other uses (22.30%). This watershed has 216.36 stream miles, 755.01 lake acres and 7,194.07 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked High for runoff impacts on streams, High for runoff impacts on lakes and High for runoff impacts on groundwater and therefore has an overall rank of High. This value can be used in ranking the watershed or individual waterbodies for grant funding under state and county programs.However, all waters are affected by diffuse pollutant sources regardless of initial water quality. Applications for specific runoff projects under state or county grant programs may be pursued. For more information, go to surface water program grants.

Natural Community

Hooker Lake is considered a Deep Headwater under the state's Natural Community Determinations.

Natural communities (stream and lake natural communities) represent model results and DNR staff valiation processes that confirm or update predicted conditions based on flow and temperature modeling from historic and current landscape features and related variables. Predicated flow and temperatures for waters are associated predicated fish assemblages (communities). Biologists evaluate the model results against current survey data to determine if the modeled results are corect and whether biological indicators show water quaity degradation. This analysis is a core component of the state's resource management framework. Wisconsin's Riverine Natural Communities.

Deep headwater lake describes the depth and location of the lake in a watershed. These variables affect the lakes response to watershed variables.

Fisheries & Habitat

Largemouth bass, Northern pike, Walleye and panfish are present in the lake. DNR owned wetland on the northern side of the lake provides habitat for northern pike.

Date  2011

Author   Aquatic Biologist