Water Detail - Cornell Lake, McCann Creek and Fisher River Watershed (LC21)

Cornell Lake, McCann Creek and Fisher River Watershed (LC21)

Cornell Lake (2171000)

Size

193.66 Acres

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 Seepage

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.

2017

General Condition

Good

County

Chippewa

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.

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.

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.

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 Seepage

Deep seepage lake describes the depth and hydrologic charactertistics of the lake. 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

Cornell Lake is a clear water lake with a diverse plant community. An aquatic plant survey would
assess the current state and condition of the plants in this lake, which would be valuable in
documenting the in-lake fisheries habitat and the existence of any introduced species that have
become established.

Date 1996

Author Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

A hard water, seepage lake, with a small outlet stream flowing to O'Neil Creek. A one-foot high water control structure on the outlet is operated by Godfrey Robilard. Managed for bass and pan fish. Its fish population consists of northern pike, walleyes, perch, largemouth bass, bluegills, black crappies, rock bass, pumpkinseed, black bullheads, white suckers and redhorse. Carp are also common here and are considered a management problem. Over 190 acres of wetlands provide habitat for muskrat and nesting mallards and blue-winged teal. Public access consists of a one-acre town park on the west side of the lake and an additional access on a point adjacent to the park. There is also one
undeveloped platted access on the lake. Total public frontage amounts to .13 miles. There are two resorts, two boat rental places, 31 cottages and dwellings and a convalescent home on the lake shore. Source: 1963, Surface Water Resources of Chippewa County Cornell Lake T30, 31N, R8W, Sections 3, 34, and 35 Surface Acres = 193.5, S.D.F. = 1.34, Maximum Depth = 42 feet

Date 1963

Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Cornell Lake, McCann Creek and Fisher River Watershed (LC21) Fish and Aquatic Life

Cornell Lake, McCann Creek and Fisher River Watershed (LC21) Recreation

Cornell Lake, McCann Creek and Fisher River Watershed (LC21) Fish Consumption

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

2020 Comprehensive WQ Assessments

2018 List of Healthy (Category 2) Waters

Final Assessment Data from TSI Package and Assessment Units 2018

Lake Bathymetry Map for Cornell Lake

Chippewa County Surface Water Resources 1963 Part 1 of 2

Chippewa County Surface Water Resources 1963 Part 2 of 2

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

Monitoring Projects

WBIC	Official Waterbody Name	Station ID	Station Name	Earliest Fieldwork Date	Latest Fieldwork Date	View Station	View Data
2171000	Cornell Lake	10058238	Cornell Lake at Boat Landing Stocking Site			Map	Data
2171000	Cornell Lake	10001973	Cornell Lake	8/29/2000	9/12/2017	Map	Data
2171000	Cornell Lake	10058251	Cornell Lake Boat Ramp Stocking Site			Map	Data
2171000	Cornell Lake	093107	Cornell Lake - Deep Hole (M Of Lake) Cl1	2/28/1990	11/4/1996	Map	Data
2171000	Cornell Lake	10018392	Cornell Lake -- Access			Map	Data

Watershed Characteristics

Cornell Lake is located in the McCann Creek and Fisher River watershed which is 311.06 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (39.20%), agricultural (22.90%) and a mix of wetland (22.10%) and other uses (15.80%). This watershed has 385.14 stream miles, 3,485.11 lake acres and 33,345.65 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Not Ranked for runoff impacts on streams, Not Ranked 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.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

Cornell Lake is considered a Deep Seepage 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 seepage lake describes the depth and hydrologic charactertistics of the lake. These variables affect the lakes response to watershed variables.

More Interactive Maps

View Water in Alternative Map