Otter Lake, Otter Creek and Rat River Watershed (GB12)
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Otter Lake, Otter Creek and Rat River Watershed (GB12)
Otter Lake (549400)
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83.39 Acres
Natural Community
Deep Lowland
Year Last Monitored
2017
Good
 
Forest
Trout Water 
No
Outstanding or Exceptional 
No
Impaired Water 
No

Fish and Aquatic Life

Current Use
Deep Lowland
Attainable Use
Default FAL
Designated Use
Default FAL

Overview

, in the Otter Creek and Rat River Watershed, is a 83.39 acre lake that falls in Forest County. This lake is managed for fishing and swimming and is currently not considered impaired.

Date  2011

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

Source: 1977, Surface Water Resources of Forest County Otter Lake, T34N, R16E, Sec. 17 Surface Acres = 81, Maximum depth = 14 feet, Secchi disk = 6 feet.

A hard water drainage lake having alkaline, medium brown water of moderate transparency. Inlet flow includes drainage from Creek 18-lA, Lake 17-7 and Otter Creek. The outlet, OtterCreek, is tributary to the Peshtigo River. Littoral material is diverse with muck (50 percent), sand (25 percent), detritus (8 percent), gravel (5 percent), rubble (5 percent) and silt (5 percent). The shoreline is mostly upland hardwoods (75 percent) with remainder wetland of meadow, shrub, conifer and marsh. Dense aquatic vegetation presents a problem to boating and fishing. Fish inhabiting this lake include northern pike, largemouth bass, perch, bluegill, black crappie, pumpkinseed, white sucker and golden shiner. Waterfowl are known to use this lake. A boat landing with parking is located on the northeast shore. Of the 1.81 miles of shoreline, 0.35 mile is public frontage. Five dwellings are located on the shoreline.

Date  1977

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Deep lowland lake describes the depth and location of the lake in a watershed. These variables affect the lakes response to watershed variables.
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.
Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.
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.
Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.