Burnett
No
No
Yes
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
Clam Lake is a shallow lowland lake which is situated in the Clam River watershed which is 206.86 mi . Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (50.53%), grassland (19.45%) and a mix of wetland (18.42%) and other uses (8.95%).
Date 2011
Author Aquatic Biologist
Historical Description
The self-help monitoring program is in place on six lakes in the watershed. It is difficult to prioritize participation in this program but any lake that has moderate development, a lake organization or is potentially subject to water quality degradation is a likely candidate for this program. In much the same way, participation in the lakes planning grants program is open to almost any lake and the prioritization of these lakes may have to take place after grant applications are received.
Date 1992
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
General Condition
This water was assessed during the 2012 listing cycle, and total phosphorus sample data exceed 2012 WisCALM listing thresholds for the recreation use; however, chlorophyll a data are insufficient to determine whether chlorophyll a Recreation Use thresholds are exceeded.
Date 2011
Author Aquatic Biologist
Impaired Waters
Clam Lake was recently evaluated during the ten-year period of 2009 through 2018 for results that were reported to the USEPA for the 2020 Clean Water Act condition report. The waterbody is considered impaired, or in poor condition for designated uses which include the quality of fish and aquatic life, recreational use, and public health and welfare (fish consumption and related). Pollutants or problems encountered during sampling (impairments) are determined based on water quality standards outlined in Wisconsin 2020 Consolidated Assessment and Listing Methodology (WisCALM). Assessment results show water conditions that are potentially harmful for Aquatic Life use and Recreation use due to values for total phosphorus and chlorophyll that fall into the range expected for an aquatic community in poor health, therefore this water is listed as impaired.
Assessment results during the 2020 listing cycle show continued impairment based on total phosphorus and chlorophyll levels too high for healthy aquatic communities, like plants, fish, and bugs, according to 2020 WisCALM levels. This water has been listed as impaired since 2012 for total phosphorus. In 2020 eutrophication was added as an impairment alongside the previous excess algal growth listing. This water changed to category 5W because it is part of the DNR approved restoration plan "Implementation Plan for the Lake St. Croix Nutrient Total Maximum Daily Load (2025)."
Date 2019
Author Ashley Beranek
Impaired Waters
Upper Clam Lake (2656200) was placed on the impaired waters list for total phosphorus in 2012. The 2016 assessments showed continued impairment by phosphorus; total phosphorus sample data overwhelmingly exceed 2016 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use, and chlorophyll data exceed REC thresholds. Total phosphorus and chlorophyll data do not exceed Fish and Aquatic Life 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
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
| WBIC | Official Waterbody Name | Station ID | Station Name | Earliest Fieldwork Date | Latest Fieldwork Date | View Station | View Data |
|---|
| 2656200 | Clam Lake | 10001654 | Upper Clam Lake | 4/18/1995 | 8/12/2021 | Map | Data |
| 2656200 | Clam Lake | 10018160 | Clam Lake -- Access | 8/19/2007 | 7/27/2024 | Map | Data |
| 2656200 | Clam Lake | 10020278 | Clam Lake -- Ramp | 5/27/2007 | 9/18/2022 | Map | Data |
| 2656200 | Clam Lake | 10029237 | Upper Clam Lake at Center Main Basin | 4/27/2009 | 10/19/2024 | Map | Data |
|
Watershed Characteristics
Clam Lake is located in the Clam River watershed which is 206.86 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (58.90%), wetland (20.10%) and a mix of grassland (8.80%) and other uses (12.20%). This watershed has 218.27 stream miles, 5,389.35 lake acres and 24,386.72 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked Not Ranked for runoff impacts on streams, Medium for runoff impacts on lakes and Low for runoff impacts on groundwater and therefore has an overall rank of Low. 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.