Vilas
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Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
, in the Eagle River, Sugar Camp Creek and Tamarack Pioneer River Watersheds, is a 106.96 acre lake that falls in Vilas County. This lake is managed for fishing and swimming and is currently not considered impaired.
Date 2011
Author Aquatic Biologist
Historical Description
Source: 1963, Surface Water Resources of Vilas County Watersmeet Lake, T-40-N, R-10-E, Sections 30 and 31,
Watersmeet Lake is an impoundment of moderate fertility, having slightly alkaline, light brown water of moderate transparency. The bottom material is composed principally of sand with small amounts of gravel and muck present. Both the inlet and the outlet streams are considered navigable. Much of the depth is traceable to the 13-foot high power dam across the Wisconsin River. The head of water held by the dam links the entire Eagle Chain. Muskellunge, northern pike, walleye, largemouth bass and pan fish constitute the principal fish species present. Public access is possible by means of a town road with nearby parking facilities, by a state highway without nearby parking facilities, and by navigating the inlet or outlet streams. Public use facilities consist of eight resorts and three boat rental establishments. There are 57 cottages located on the shore line, as well as five farms. Puddle ducks, diving ducks and coots are known to use this lake on their spring and fall migrations.
Area = 100 Surface Acres, Maximum Depth = 12 feet
Date 1963
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
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 |
|---|
| 1599400 | Watersmeet Lake | 10028839 | Watersmeet Lake (C 08ta) | 5/30/2008 | 6/26/2008 | Map | Data |
| 1599400 | Watersmeet Lake | 643117 | Watersmeet Lake - Deep Hole | 8/2/1979 | 10/17/2017 | Map | Data |
| 1599400 | Watersmeet Lake | 10028838 | Watersmeet Lake - Middle | 5/30/2008 | 8/24/2024 | Map | Data |
| 1599400 | Watersmeet Lake | 10055669 | Watersmeet Lake Island | | | Map | Data |
| 1179900 | Wisconsin River | 10020737 | Wisconsin River-Off Hwy 17 Near 70. | | | Map | Data |
| 1599400 | Watersmeet Lake | 10006164 | Watersmeet Lake | 6/1/1992 | 9/30/2017 | Map | Data |
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Watershed Characteristics
Watersmeet Lake is located in the Sugar Camp Creek watershed which is 187.99 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (58.50%), wetland (24.70%) and a mix of open (13.40%) and other uses (3.50%). This watershed has 123.61 stream miles, 11,669.73 lake acres and 30,139.17 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked Not Ranked for runoff impacts on streams, Medium 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.