Overview

Eau Claire Lake, in the Black and Hay Creeks and Lower Eau Claire River Watersheds, is a 1,359.93 acre lake that falls in Eau Claire County. This lake is managed for fishing and swimming and is currently considered impaired.

Date  2016

Author  Ashley Beranek

Historical Description

Source: 1964, Surface Water Resources of Eau Claire County Eau Claire Lake, T26N, R6W, Sections 23,4,5,10,11

A soft water impoundment on the Eau Claire River. It has a 25-foot water control structure on its outlet, owned by Eau Claire County. It is the largest single body of water in Eau Claire County. The most common fish species here are walleye, muskellunge, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, perch, bluegills, and black crappies. Other species present include white crappies, rock bass, pumpkinseeds, black, brown and yellow bullheads. The rough fish population includes carp (a problem to fishery management), white suckers, quillback, and northern redhorse. The minnow species are golden shiners, spotfin shiners, northern brook silversides and johnny darters. About 10 acres of marshy wetlands provide habitat for muskrats, nesting mallards, blue-winged teal and wood ducks. Other ducks, coots and, occasionally, Canada geese also use the lake during migratory seasons. A county park providing swimming facilities, picnicking area, tent camping and public access is located on the southeast side, and the county has applied to the department for aid in construction of an access on the northeast end. The entire lakeshore of 24.25 miles, including 5.6 miles of shoreline on 17 islands with 60 acres, is owned by Eau Claire County. The county leases building rights to individuals. This private development includes a resort, three boat rental places and 88 cottages and dwellings.

Surface Acres = 860.0, S.D.F. = 5.91, Maximum Depth = 25 feet

Date  1964

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Impaired Waters

Eau Claire Lake was evaluated for phosphorus and algae every two years between 2016 and 2022. Phosphorus levels were found to be too high, which was reflected in algal blooms.

Date  2022

Author  Ashley Beranek

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

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

Eau Claire Lake is located in the Black and Hay Creeks watershed which is 159.89 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (63.80%), agricultural (16.90%) and a mix of wetland (9.60%) and other uses (9.60%). This watershed has 289.15 stream miles, 1,005.46 lake acres and 19,247.91 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

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