Pepin
No
No
Yes
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
Silver Birch Lake is a highly productive shallow oxbow lake adjacent to the Chppewa River
southwest of Durand. The lake exhibits very hgh levels of aquatic ~lant and algae growth.
Pepin County Land Conservation Department received a lake planning grant to conduct an aquatic
ecosystem assessment in 1993 (Brakke). This assessment evaluated nutrient concentrations, winter
dissolved oxygen concentrations, and aquatic plant and algal populations. The assessment found that
Silver Birch Lake is very enriched with nutrients. The study indicated that nutrient levels increased
dramatically throughout the summer of 1993. Algal populations reached extremely high levels by
late summer, responding to the high nutrient levels.
Winter dissolved oxygen monitoring indicated the dissolved oxygen decreased by late winter to
levels where fishery populations were stressed. Dissolved oxygen concentrations where 2-3 mg/l by
mid-February and it is likely that the levels continued to decrease until ice-out in late March.
Rooted aquatic ~lants grow very densely during early to mid-summer. The early summer plant
growth is dominated by curly leaf ~ondweed and mid- to late summer plant growth is dominated
by coontail.
A fishery survey conducted in 1992 indicated that the gamefish population was possibly being
limited by low winter dissolved oxygen concentrations and dense aquatic plant growth. Flooding in
1993 likely caused a temporary connection between the Chppewa River and Silver Birch Lake,
whch may have enabled fish to migrate between the two waterbodies. A follow-up fish population
survey is planned to document any migration (Holzer).
Date 1996
Author Aquatic Biologist
Historical Description
Source:1972, Surface Water Resources of Pepin County,WI:WI-DNR Silver Birch Lake, T25N, R14W, S36
This is a drained lake lying in the floodplain of the Chippewa River. The water is medium hard, alkaline, light brown colored, and low in transparency. The sport fishery is made up of walleye, northern pike, white bass, largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, white crappie, yellow perch, bullhead, and catfish. In addition, carp and bigmouth buffalo are present along with other rough fish and forage fish species. Contract commercial fishermen have removed rough fish in the past. Beaver are present. Nesting teal and mallards, migrating ducks, coots, and geese use the lake. There are approximately 45 acres of adjoining wetland. Developments include three dwellings and a county park which has a boat launching area with parking, picnicking, and camping facilities. The park provides about 0.15 mile of public frontage.
Surface acres = 96.9, S.D.F. = 2.53, Maximum depth = 7.5 feet
Date 1972
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
Monitoring Projects
| WBIC | Official Waterbody Name | Station ID | Station Name | Earliest Fieldwork Date | Latest Fieldwork Date | View Station | View Data |
|---|
| 2054600 | Silver Birch Lake | 10014594 | Silver Birch Lake | 7/12/2003 | 10/3/2016 | Map | Data |
| 2054600 | Silver Birch Lake | 473013 | Silver Birch Lake - Deep Hole | 5/17/1993 | 9/19/2016 | Map | Data |
| 2054600 | Silver Birch Lake | 10017753 | Silver Birch Lake -- Access | 6/11/2006 | 4/22/2024 | Map | Data |
|
Watershed Characteristics
Silver Birch Lake is located in the Plum Creek watershed which is 140.59 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (43.30%), forest (38%) and a mix of grassland (12%) and other uses (6.70%). This watershed has 314.86 stream miles, 793.61 lake acres and 3,140.16 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked Medium for runoff impacts on streams, High 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.This water is ranked High Lake for individual Lakes based on runoff problems and the likelihood of success from project implementation.