Waushara
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Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
Mecan Springs, in the Mecan River Watershed, is a 40.46 acre springs-lake that falls in Waushara County. This springs-lake is managed for fishing and swimming and is currently not considered impaired.
Date 2011
Author Aquatic Biologist
Historical Description
Source: 1970, Surface Water Resources of Waushara County Mecan Springs T-18-N, R-90-E, Sections 6, 7, 9 Surface Acres = 40.5; S.D.F. = 3.52; Maximum Depth = 21 feet.
This is a large spring pond which serves as the headwaters of the Mecan River. The main water source is from many springs located in and around the main pool. Flow at the outlet is about 22 cubic feet per second. Marl is the predominate littoral bottom material with minor amounts of silt, muck, and sand. Approximately 85 percent of the basin is less than three feet deep. A small bridge-dam three feet high is located near the outlet. Mecan Springs is noted for its largemouth bass, northern pike, and perch fishery. In addition to these species, bluegills, pumpkinseed, bullheads, brown trout and carp are present. In recent years the dominant species in this impoundment has changed from northern pike--largemouth bass to white sucker-bullhead. Carp are not a problem at this time. Increasing fertility is indicated by increasing growths of algae and rooted aquatic vegetation. Factors contributing to this marked change over the years are not known. Adequate access is available from one state highway, one county highway, and navigable water access via the Mecan River. There are four cottages or dwellings along the shoreline. Adjoining wetlands provide nesting habitat for wood ducks, mallards, and bluewing teal. Puddle ducks, diving ducks, and Canada geese make intensive use of the area during migration. Up to 2, 000 geese have been observed resting in the area during the fall. Mecan Springs is a wildlife refuge, with no hunting or trapping permitted. From 50- 200 geese are harvested annually by hunters on lands adjacent to the refuge.
Date 1970
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
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
| Project Name (Click for Details) | Year Started |
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Monitoring Projects
| WBIC | Official Waterbody Name | Station ID | Station Name | Earliest Fieldwork Date | Latest Fieldwork Date | View Station | View Data |
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| 155000 | Mecan River | 10047370 | Wetland [ID 70423693330] | 9/8/2016 | 9/8/2016 | Map | Data |
| 158600 | Mecan Springs | 10049297 | Mecan River at County GG | 10/17/2017 | 8/7/2019 | Map | Data |
| 158600 | Mecan Springs | 10019525 | Mecan Springs -- Access | 7/8/2009 | 7/30/2019 | Map | Data |
| 158600 | Mecan Springs | 10054636 | Mecan River Spring 1 | 7/28/2020 | 7/28/2020 | Map | Data |
| 158600 | Mecan Springs | 10047276 | Mecan Springs & CTY Rd GG | | | Map | Data |
| 158600 | Mecan Springs | 10007430 | Mecan Springs | 10/1/1991 | 8/31/2020 | Map | Data |
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Watershed Characteristics
Mecan Springs is located in the Mecan River watershed which is 148.31 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (48.40%), agricultural (21.30%) and a mix of wetland (20.30%) and other uses (10.00%). This watershed has 166.56 stream miles, 1,837.44 lake acres and 18,622.87 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked Not Ranked 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.