Fourmile Lake (Three Lakes Chain), Eagle River Watershed (UW44)
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Fourmile Lake (Three Lakes Chain), Eagle River Watershed (UW44)
Fourmile Lake (Three Lakes Chain) (1610800)
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209.60 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 Lowland
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.
2024
Good
 
This lake is impaired
Mercury Contaminated Fish Tissue
Mercury
 
Oneida
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.
Deep Lowland
Deep lowland lake describes the depth and location of the lake in a watershed. These variables affect the lakes response to watershed variables.
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

Four Mile Lake, T39N, R11E, Section 23

A soft water drainage lake having slightly acid light brown water of low transparency. Sand is the predominant littoral material (65 percent) with muck (20 percent), gravel (10 percent) and some rock. The shoreline is predominantly upland (90 percent) with a bog and coniferous wetland adjoining portions of the lake basin. Submergent vegetation is moderate in density. The fish found in this lake are muskellunge, northern pike, walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, perch, bluegill, crappie, rock bass, pumpkinseed, bullhead and suckers. The only means of public access is by navigating either the inlet or outlet stream, or that of the wilderness type. Twenty dwellings are located on the lakeshore. Being part of the Three Lakes Chain, water levels are influenced by the water control structure of nine foot head located on the outlet of Long Lake.

Surface Acres = 252.2, S.D.F. = 1.93, Maximum Depth = 18 feet

Date  

Author   Aquatic Biologist

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
THREE LAKES WATERFRONT ASSOCIATION: Three Lakes Chain Mgt. Planning - Ph. 2 Big Stone Lake2011
THREE LAKES WATERFRONT ASSOCIATION: Three Lakes Chain Mgt. Planning Project - Ph. 1 Big Stone Lake2011
THREE LAKES WATERFRONT ASSOCIATION: Three Lakes Chain Mgt. Planning Project - Ph. 1 Crystal Lake2011
TOWN OF THREE LAKES: Town of Three Lakes Education Prevention & Planning Project2008
THREE LAKES WATERFRONT ASSOCIATION: Three Lakes Management Planning Project - Phase 3 Fourmile Lake2012
THREE LAKES WATERFRONT ASSOCIATION: Three Lakes Chain Mgt. Planning Project - Ph. 1 Deer Lake2011
THREE LAKES WATERFRONT ASSOCIATION: Three Lakes Chain Mgt. Planning Project - Ph. 3 Virgin Lake2011
THREE LAKES WATERFRONT ASSOCIATION: Three Lakes Chain Mgt. Planning Project - Ph. 1 Dog Lake2011
THREE LAKES WATERFRONT ASSOCIATION: Three Lakes Chain Mgt. Planning Project - Ph. 1 Laurel Lake2011
THREE LAKES WATERFRONT ASSOCIATION: Three Lakes Chain Mgt. Planning Project - Ph. 2 Laurel Lake2011
THREE LAKES WATERFRONT ASSOCIATION: Three Lakes Chain Environmental Monitoring Ph III - Fourmile2022
THREE LAKES WATERFRONT ASSOCIATION: Three Lakes Chain Mgt. Planning Project - Ph. 2 Crystal Lake2011
THREE LAKES WATERFRONT ASSOCIATION: Three Lakes Chain Mgt. Planning Project - Ph. 2 Deer Lake2011
THREE LAKES WATERFRONT ASSOCIATION: Three Lakes Management Planning Project - Phase 3 Big Fork Lake2012
Fish Propagation Actions2001
TOWN OF THREE LAKES: AIS Boat Inspection, Education, Rapid Response & Adopt a Shoreline Project2006
TOWN OF THREE LAKES: AIS Education, Prevention & Planning Project2007
THREE LAKES WATERFRONT ASSOCIATION: Three Lakes Chain Mgt. Planning Project - Ph. 2 Dog Lake2011

Monitoring Projects

WBICOfficial Waterbody NameStation IDStation NameEarliest Fieldwork DateLatest Fieldwork DateView StationView Data
1610800Fourmile Lake443098Fourmile Lake - Deep Hole7/25/19798/24/2024MapData
1610800Fourmile Lake10004580Fourmile Lake7/27/19993/19/2024MapData

Watershed Characteristics

Fourmile Lake is located in the Eagle River watershed which is 181.70 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (55.60%), wetland (28%) and a mix of open (12.90%) and other uses (3.50%). This watershed has 146.13 stream miles, 15,720.03 lake acres and 32,094.84 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Not Ranked for runoff impacts on streams, High for runoff impacts on lakes and Low for runoff impacts on groundwater and therefore has an overall rank of Low. 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

Fourmile Lake (Three Lakes Chain) is considered a Deep Lowland 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 lowland lake describes the depth and location of the lake in a watershed. These variables affect the lakes response to watershed variables.