Overview

Wapogasset Lake T33N, R17W, Sec. 14, 23, 24, 25, 26 Surface Acres = 1,198.0, S.D.F.= 2.30, Maximum Depth = 33 ft., M.P.A. Situated on Balsam Branch, a navigable stream (50. cfs), it also has two other navigable inlets, one a channel to Beartrap Lake and the other, the outlet of Friday Creek. Fish species present include northern pike, walleyes, large mouth bass, bluegills, pumpkinseed, perch, crappies and bullheads. Public frontage on the lake includes a .6-acre town park with camping facilities, an access road with parking, and 106 feet of frontage, other public frontage includes two access roads with parking area (2.4 and 30.6 feet wide) and six unimproved platted access roadways with a total frontage of 253 feet. There are four resorts, one Bible Camp, two boat liveries and 204 cottages on the lake at present. One hundred eight acres of marsh wetlands adjoin the lake where mallards, bluewing teal, wood ducks and lesser scaup nest. Extensive use by migratory waterfowl, is made of the lake mainly coots and diving ducks (ringnecks and canvasbacks included), some puddle ducks and occasionally Canada geese and whistling swans. The lake level is partially maintained by a three-foot head dam. Pleasure boating is also extensive, and may soon reach problem proportions.

Date  

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

These connected lakes have a strong Lake Association and an active Sanitary District.
Presently, the association is half way through with a comprehensive lake and incoming stream
water quality assessment study. This project is being funded under the lakes Planning Grants
Program.
Depending on the results of the "feasibility study", Wapogasset and Beartrap Lakes should
receive high priority for Implementation Grants funding or possibly NPS Priority Lakes or Small
Scale Watershed projects dependent on the study results.

Date  1992

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Impaired Waters

Wapogasset Lake (WBIC 2618000) was placed on the impaired waters list for total phosphorus/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 and Fish and Aquatic Life use. Based on the most updated information, the impairment of Eutrophication was added to this listing.

Date  2017

Author  Ashley Beranek

Impaired Waters

Wapogasset Lake (2618000) was placed on the impaired waters list for total phosphorus/excess algal growth in 2012. The 2016 assessments showed continued excess algal growth; chlorophyll sample data exceed 2016 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use, however, total phosphorus did not exceed REC thresholds. Total phosphorus and chlorophyll data were clearly below Fish and Aquatic Life listing thresholds. Based on the most updated information, no change in existing impaired waters listing is needed.

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

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

Wapogasset Lake is located in the Balsam Branch watershed which is 104.07 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (31.60%), agricultural (28.40%) and a mix of grassland (18.70%) and other uses (21.30%). This watershed has 63.62 stream miles, 6,301.67 lake acres and 5,248.51 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked High 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.