Eau Claire Lake, Middle, Upper St. Croix and Eau Claire Rivers Watershed (SC18)
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Eau Claire Lake, Middle, Upper St. Croix and Eau Claire Rivers Watershed (SC18)
Eau Claire Lake, Middle (2742100)
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829.77 Acres
Natural Community
Two-Story
Year Last Monitored
2024
Good
 
Bayfield
Trout Water 
No
Outstanding or Exceptional 
Yes
Impaired Water 
No

Fish and Aquatic Life

Current Use
Two-Story
Attainable Use
Default FAL
Designated Use
Default FAL

Overview

Eau Claire Lake, Middle, in the Upper St. Croix and Eau Claire Rivers Watershed, is a 879.72 acre lake that falls in Bayfield County. This lake is an outstanding/exceptional resource water under NR102 under the Fisheries Program. This lake is managed for fishing and swimming and is currently not considered impaired.

Date  2011

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

The three major lakes of this chain are the Upper, Middle and Lower Eau Claire Lakes.
Situated at the headwaters of the Eau Ciaire River these lakes have been long recognized as
outstanding, and indeed have been formally recognized as such by their nomination as
"Outstanding Resource Waters." These clear water lakes are connected by stream and the
middle and lower lakes are connected by a navigable channel with an assist from a mechanical
small boat lock.

There appears to be a slight decline in water quality down this chain with the Upper Lake
exhibiting oligotrophic characteristics and the Middle and Lower Lakes showing signs of perhaps
increasing levels of fertility. Because of this perception, the Upper and Lower Lakes were
chosen to be monitored as part of the Department's long term trend monitoring program.
Intensive monitoring has been ongoing on these lakes since 1986.
A self-help volunteer has been collecting water clarity data on the Middle Lake since 1988 and
volunteers on the Upper and Lower Lakes would be desireable to supplement the Department's
long term data. The lakes are represented by a regional association and this group has been an
enthusiastic participant in early lake management endeavors. "Swimmers itch," an infestation of
the "rusty" crayfish and lake water use conflicts are some of the problems confronting these
lakes.

The preservation of the present high level of water quality and the development of
comprehensive long range lake management plans should be goals for this chain of lakes.
These three ORW nominated lakes should be considered as priority candidates for a protection
oriented Priority Lakes project.

Date  1992

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Shallow headwater lake describes the depth and location of the lake in a watershed. These variables affect the lakes response to watershed variables.
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.
Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.
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.
Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.