Deer Lake, Balsam Branch Watershed (SC05)
Deer Lake, Balsam Branch Watershed (SC05)
Deer Lake (2619400)
785.51 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
 
Polk
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.
No

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

Deer Lake T34N, R17, 18W, Sec. 29, 30, 25 Surface Acres-790.0, S.D.F.-1.91, Maximum Depth=52 ft., M.P.A.-70 This lake has an intermittent outlet stream, Deer Creek. Fish species present in the lake includes largemouth bass, bluegills, black crappies, rock bass, pumpkinseed, perch and bullheads, a few northern pike are also present. Public frontage on the lake consists of three unimproved, platted access roadways of 50, 15 and 66 feet. Private development consists of one resort and 186 cottages (85 per cent of the lake shore). There are also two boat rental places. A privately-owned access used by the public is located at the east end of the lake. Boating use is quite extensive. Six acres of marsh wetlands are used by nesting mallards and wood ducks. In comparison to size with other lakes, migratory waterfowl use is small. A one-foot head dam helps to maintain the lake level.

Date  

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

Deer Lake is a heavily developed 807 acre seepage lake with an intermittent outlet during high
water periods. Two self-help volunteers have been tracking water clarity on this lake since 1987
and one has been monitoring at the "expanded" level since 1990. This waterbody is a high
quality resource and should be accorded priority for water quality monitoring and protection
implementation. Recent contacts with the lake association indicate substantial interest in a lakes
planning grant. A grant proposal to study watershed conditions should receive high priority.

Date  1992

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Deer Lake, Balsam Branch Watershed (SC05) Fish and Aquatic LifeDeer Lake, Balsam Branch Watershed (SC05) RecreationDeer Lake, Balsam Branch Watershed (SC05) Fish Consumption

General Condition

Deer Lake (2619400) was assessed during the 2016 listing cycle; total phosphorus and chlorophyll sample data were clearly below 2016 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use and Fish and Aquatic Life use. This water is meeting these designated uses and is not considered impaired.

Date  2015

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

Train Volunteers to Do Watercraft Inspections
APM Chemical Permit Request
Treat curly-leaf pondweed with chemicals
Monitor Invasive Species
Watercraft Inspections Clean Boats, Clean Waters
Monitor Pre and Post Treatment
Aquatic Plant Monitoring or Survey
Information and Education
APM Chemical Permit Request
Chemically treated curly-leaf pondweed
Aquatic Plant Monitoring or Survey
Monitor Invasive Species
Watercraft Inspections Clean Boats, Clean Waters
Conducted boat inspections for invasive species
Land Acquisition
The Deer Lake Conservancy has purchased 32.10 acres of undeveloped property on Deer Lake in Polk County. The parcel includes approximately 500 feet of shoreline, a riparian wetland and has Rock Creek flowing through the property. The property is adjacent to existing Conservancy owned property. Trails will be developed connecting with existing trails of the adjacent property.
Land Acquisition
Deer Lake Conservancy is sponsoring a grant to help fund the fee title acquisition of the Johnson Preserve property which includes approximately 95 acres located in part of Section 25, in the Town of St. Croix Falls and part of Section 30 in the Town of Balsam Lake, Polk County.
Retention Basin - Create or Improve
Deer Lake Conservancy is sponsoring a project to design/build an iron/sand filter pond with pretreatment in a agriculture-dominated subwatershed
Retention Basin - Create or Improve
Monitor Water Quality or Sediment
Monitored Watershed 1 Tributary to establish a baseline for measuring effectiveness of a sand/iron filing filter system to be installed in the future.
Stormwater Planning, Implementation
install storm water best management practices to control direct drainage runoff. Specifically, the Conservancy will: 1) implement individual waterfront lot infiltration practices (rain gutters with drain tiles, infiltration pits, or rain gardens) on approximately 20 riparian lots; 2) design/build restoration of approximately 4 eroded gullies; 3) provide technical and financial assistance for traditional shoreline buffer restoration; 4) establish demonstration sites with open houses/tours of restoration/infiltration sites
Stormwater Planning, Implementation
Inc. proposes to install storm water best management practices to control direct drainage runoff. Specifically, the Conservancy will: 1) implement individual waterfront lot infiltration practices (rain gutters with drain tiles, infiltration pits, or rain gardens) on approximately 20 riparian lots; 2) design/build restoration of approximately 4 eroded gullies; 3) provide technical and financial assistance for traditional shoreline buffer restoration; 4) establish demonstration sites with open houses/tours of restoration/infiltration sites; and 5) coordinate education outreach and sociological surveys (in the form of focus groups) to determine barriers to participation and share benefits of the projects.
Land Acquisition
The Deer Lake Conservancy, Inc. has a land contract for 20 acres around Deer Lake. The property will be managed in accordance with the Property Management Plan, Flagstad Farm Preserve as outlined in the project description as attached to the Project Application (Form 8700-240) for this Lake Protection Grant.
Social Survey of Residents or Users
Coordinate education outreach and sociological surveys (in the form of focus groups) to determine barriers to participation
Land Acquisition
Information and Education
Deer Lake Conservation Project Tour Guide to include the Flagstad Farm property
Install Kiosk or Sign
interpretive signs will be installed at Flagstad Farm and the Rock Creek prairie demonstration gardens.
Land Acquisition
The Deer Lake Conservancy, Inc. has purchased a 70 acre parcel known as the Flagstad Farm Preserve. This lake protection grant is to be applied to the property including Lot 22 of the Assessor's Plat of Government Lot Seven (7), section 25, Township 34 North, Range 18 West Polk County and the northern 50 acres of the acquired property. The property includes 150 feet of frontage on Deer Lake and several wetlands in addition to upland.
Land Acquisition
Purchased Flagstad Farm Preserve
Monitor Water Quality or Sediment
Aquatic Plant Monitoring or Survey
Lake Management Plan Development
Water Quality Modeling
Data analysis, report production
Nutrient Budget Development
Aquatic Plant Management Plan
Developed an aquatic plant management plan
Lake Management Plan Development
Water Quality Modeling
Monitor Water Quality or Sediment
To evaluate the effectiveness of installed watershed practices
Restore Wetlands
Restore Wetlands
Restore Wetlands
The Deer Lake Conservancy, Inc. proposes to restore a one half acre wetland on an intermittent stream in a small (211 acres) watershed that has been indentified by previous LMPG studies as contributing high phosphorus concentrations to Deer Lake. The wetland is located on the north side of Deer Lake.
Monitor Water Quality or Sediment
Issue News/Media Release
Distributed information on Lake Planning Grant via. Media
Informational Meetings
Nutrient Budget Development
Hydrologic Budget Development
Develop/Distribute Newsletter
Issue News/Media Release
Distributed information on Lake Planning Grant via. Media
Land Acquisition
32.10 acres of undeveloped property on Deer Lake in Polk County. The parcel includes approximately 500 feet of shoreline, a riparian wetland and has Rock Creek flowing through the property.

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

Deer Lake is located in the Balsam Branch watershed which is 104.07 miĀ². 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.

Natural Community

Deer 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.