Columbia
No
No
Yes
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
Swan Lake, in the Swan Lake Watershed, is a 407.49 acre lake that falls in Columbia County. This lake is managed for fishing and swimming and is currently considered impaired.
Date 2015
Author Aquatic Biologist
Historical Description
Source: 1965, Surface Water Resources of Columbia County Swan Lake, T12N, R9, 10E,
An elongate deep drainage lake in the valley of the Fox River. The lake is fed and drained by the river and it has no dam structure to maintain its water level. The water is clear and quite fertile. A sharp temperature gradient exists at 25 feet below the surface in midsummer. Largemouth bass, panfish and walleye constitute the fishery. Carp are present but do not constitute a use problem. A town road end provides limited access for fishing and boating. Commercial facilities are not available. Over 300 acres of wetland adjoin the lake and outlet which provide suitable protection for waterfowl and marsh furbearers. Beaver have been active on the outlet in recent years.
Surface Acres = 419, S.D.F. = 2.27, Maximum Depth = 82 feet
Date 1965
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
Impaired Waters
Swan Lake (WBIC 179800) was placed on the impaired waters list for excess algal growth in 2014. The 2018 assessments showed continued excess algal growth; new chlorophyll-a sample data exceeded the 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use. Chlorophyll-a sample data were clearly below listing thresholds for the Fish and Aquatic Life use. Based on the most updated information, no change in existing impaired waters listing was needed.
Date 2017
Author Ashley Beranek
Impaired Waters
Swan Lake (179800) was placed on the impaired waters list for excess algal growth in 2014. The 2016 assessments showed continued excess algal growth; chlorophyll sample data exceed 2016 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use, however, total phosphorus did not exceed REC thresholds. Total phosphorus and chlorophyll data did not exceed Fish and Aquatic Life listing thresholds. Based on the most updated information, no change in existing impaired waters listing is needed.
Date 2015
Author Aaron Larson
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
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
| WBIC | Official Waterbody Name | Station ID | Station Name | Earliest Fieldwork Date | Latest Fieldwork Date | View Station | View Data |
|---|
| 179800 | Swan Lake | 10021571 | Swan Lake - G | 7/9/2007 | 7/9/2007 | Map | Data |
| 179800 | Swan Lake | 10021569 | Swan Lake - E | 7/9/2007 | 7/9/2007 | Map | Data |
| 179800 | Swan Lake | 113076 | Swan Lake - Deep Hole | 6/12/1980 | 12/3/2019 | Map | Data |
| 179800 | Swan Lake | 10021568 | Swan Lake - D | 7/9/2007 | 7/9/2007 | Map | Data |
| 179800 | Swan Lake | 10001183 | Swan Lake | 9/29/1966 | 7/12/2023 | Map | Data |
| 179800 | Swan Lake | 10021572 | Swan Lake - H | 7/9/2007 | 7/9/2007 | Map | Data |
| 179800 | Swan Lake | 10021573 | Swan Lake - I | 7/9/2007 | 7/9/2007 | Map | Data |
| 117900 | Fox River | 10034421 | Swan Lake - Center | 5/2/1993 | 12/3/2019 | Map | Data |
| 179800 | Swan Lake | 10021567 | Swan Lake - C | 7/9/2007 | 7/9/2007 | Map | Data |
| 179800 | Swan Lake | 10021565 | Swan Lake - A | 7/9/2007 | 7/9/2007 | Map | Data |
| 179800 | Swan Lake | 10037705 | Swan Lake nearshore | 8/8/2012 | 8/8/2012 | Map | Data |
| 179800 | Swan Lake | 10021566 | Swan Lake - B | 7/9/2007 | 7/9/2007 | Map | Data |
| 179800 | Swan Lake | 10017860 | Swan Lake -- Public Boat Access | 5/13/2005 | 7/22/2024 | Map | Data |
| 179800 | Swan Lake | 10021574 | Swan Lake - J | 7/9/2007 | 7/9/2007 | Map | Data |
| 179800 | Swan Lake | 10034421 | Swan Lake - Center | 5/2/1993 | 12/3/2019 | Map | Data |
| 179800 | Swan Lake | 10021570 | Swan Lake - F | 7/9/2007 | 7/9/2007 | Map | Data |
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Watershed Characteristics
Swan Lake is located in the Swan Lake watershed which is 80.61 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (48.60%), forest (17.90%) and a mix of grassland (14.60%) and other uses (18.90%). This watershed has 113.04 stream miles, 942.88 lake acres and 6,861.87 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked Medium for runoff impacts on streams, Not Ranked 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.