Green
No
No
No
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
Beckman Lake, in the Jordan and Skinner Creeks Watershed, is a 62.70 acre impoundment that falls in Green County. This impoundment is managed for fishing and swimming and is currently not considered impaired.
Date 2011
Author Aquatic Biologist
Historical Description
Source:1980, Surface Water Resources of Green County,WI:WI-DNR Beckman Lake, TIN, R6E, S3
This hard water impoundment is adjacent to Zanders Lake and is surrounded by Cadiz Springs State Park and the Browntown Wildlife Area. It was filled in 1966 following a construction phase that began in the fall of 1965. Water enters Beckman Lake from Zanders Creek, Zanders Lake and several small springs. At the outlet structure, the water drops approximately 20 feet reforming Zanders Creek. Beckman Lake annually suffers from over-abundant aquatic macrophytes which impair boating, swimming and fishing. Spot herbicide applications provide some relief as did the 1974 introduction of 1,000 male carp. However, the herbicide applications are often inadequate and the carp apparently had a high mortality in 1976. A partial winterkill of fish occurred in the winter of 1976-1977. Common macrophytes include coontail, waterweed, arrowhead and cattail. Filamentous algae grows profusely during late spring and summer. The lake bottom is composed of sand, silt and gravel with some bedrock and debris, and the average water depth is about eight feet. The fish population of Beckman Lake consists of northern pike, largemouth bass, bluegills, pumpkinseeds, bullheads and male carp. Migratory waterfowl including Canada geese can be observed on the lake, and a wide variety of game is present in the adjacent wildlife area and park. Cadiz Springs State Park provides a good boat launching site, picnic area, nature trail and swimming beach. Motors are prohibited on the lake. Fish Species: Northern pike, largemouth bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, bullhead, male carp.
Surface Acres = 73.0, S.D.F. = 1.28, Maximum Depth = 12 feet
Date 1980
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
General Condition
Beckman Lake Browntown-Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area Beach was assessed for the 2018 listing cycle; E. coli data sample data were clearly below the 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use. This beach was meeting this designated use and was not considered impaired.
Date 2017
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
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 |
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Monitoring Projects
| WBIC | Official Waterbody Name | Station ID | Station Name | Earliest Fieldwork Date | Latest Fieldwork Date | View Station | View Data |
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| 894700 | Beckman Lake | 10017442 | Beckman Lake -- Cadiz Springs State Park | 6/19/2012 | 8/9/2024 | Map | Data |
| 894700 | Beckman Lake | 10031183 | Beckman Lake - Cadiz Springs Recreation Area Beach | | | Map | Data |
| 894700 | Beckman Lake | 233238 | Beckman Lake - Browntown-Caddiz Springs State Recreation Area Beach | 6/17/2003 | 8/27/2024 | Map | Data |
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Watershed Characteristics
Beckman Lake is located in the Jordan and Skinner Creeks watershed which is 94.06 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (41.80%), grassland (41.30%) and a mix of forest (11.80%) and other uses (5.20%). This watershed has 234.78 stream miles, 48.73 lake acres and 1,559.08 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.