Sissabagama Lake, Couderay River Watershed (UC20)
Sissabagama Lake, Couderay River Watershed (UC20)
Sissabagama Lake (2393500)
805.42 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
Excellent
 
This lake is impaired
NA
Total Phosphorus, Unknown Pollutant
 
Sawyer
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

Sissabagama Lake, in the Couderay River Watershed, is a 805.40 acre lake that falls in Sawyer County. This lake is managed for fishing and swimming and is currently considered impaired.

Date  2015

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

Source: 1969, Surface Water Resources of Sawyer County Sissabagama Lake, T38N, R9W, Section 5-8

A soft water, seepage lake with a normal outlet flow estimated at 0.2 cfs. It is the headwaters of Sissabagama Creek. The lake outlet has a one foot water control structure, privately owned, that stabilizes the level of the lake. The most common fishes present include muskellunge, walleye, perch, bluegill, black crappie, pumpkinseed, and white suckers. Other species present include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, rock bass, bullhead, and longnose gar. The panfish tend to be slow growing. The total of 265 acres of wetlands located along 10 percent of the lakeshore is predominately shrub swamp and bog. Nesting ducks are common, as well as good numbers of migrating waterfowl. Beaver and muskrats are present. An inlet channel connects Sissabagama Lake with nearby Mud Lake to the south. Sissabagmma Lake is an irregularly shaped multi-basin lake with several islands scattered through it. Four of these islands are state owned. There is a state owned public access site on the southwest bay. This access and the four state owned islands are the only public frontage. Commercial facilities include 10 resorts and boat rental places, and 41 cottages. There is also a commercial cranberry marsh adjacent to the lake.

Surface Acres = 719.0, Maximum Depth = 48 feet, M.P.A. = 34 ppm

Date  1969

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Sissabagama Lake, Couderay River Watershed (UC20) Fish and Aquatic LifeSissabagama Lake, Couderay River Watershed (UC20) RecreationSissabagama Lake, Couderay River Watershed (UC20) Fish Consumption

Impaired Waters

Sissabagama Lake (WBIC 2393500) was listed for excess algal growth in 2012. The 2018 assessments showed continued excess algal growth; new chlorophyll-a sample data exceeded the 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use. Total phosphorus data were clearly below the Recreation use and Fish and Aquatic Life use listing thresholds. Based on the most updated information, no change in the existing impaired waters listing was needed.

Date  2017

Author  Ashley Beranek

Impaired Waters

Sissabagama Lake (2393500) was listed for Total Phosphorus and excess algal growth in 2012. This water was assessed during the 2016 listing cycle; chlorophyll sample data partially exceeded 2016 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use, however, total phosphorus data were clearly below REC thresholds. Total phosphorus and chlorophyll data were clearly below Fish and Aquatic Life thresholds. The TP listing is proposed for deletion, but the water will remain listed for excess algal growth.

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

Recommendations

Monitor Targeted Area
Monitoring will be done to determine if there are controllable TP sources and whether the lake should be added to the 303d list. Monitoring and evaluation includes: 1. Analyze existing in-lake and cranberry bog discharge data. Evaluate the significance of internal TP loading. Develop a TP model for the lake. 2. Examine surficial and pre-development sediment samples to compare current and pre-development conditions. Paul Garrison has said he is willing to collect and analyze the samples. 3. Collect TP samples at 1 watershed stream on 5 dates. Flow estimates, and D.O. , temp. and pH measurements will also be made. 4. Collect TP samples from 10 residential wells to evaluate groundwater TP concentrations.

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

Watershed Characteristics

Sissabagama Lake is located in the Couderay River watershed which is 212.25 miĀ². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (64.90%), wetland (13.50%) and a mix of open (12.90%) and other uses (8.70%). This watershed has 211.96 stream miles, 18,300.76 lake acres and 14,697.69 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Low 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

Sissabagama Lake 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.