Wood
No
No
No
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
This hard water, drainage impoundment is located on Buena Vista (Fourmile) Creek. It is alkaline and has a clear water with moderate transparency. The dam has a 26-foot head, is used to generate power, and is owned by the Nekoosa Edwards Paper Company. Walleyes, northern pike, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed, bluegills, perch, crappies, green sunfish, rock bass, and bullheads comprise the fishery. There is public access without parking and also a boat launching site. An organizational camp, 24 dwellings, and a boat rental are located on the lake. Aquatic vegetation is a problem during summer months. Several species of ducks bring off broods and migrating waterfowl use the lake.
Source: 1967, Surface Water Resources of Wood County Nepco Lake, T22N, R6E, S31 Surface Acres = 494.3, S.D.F. = 3.88, Maximum Depth = 29 ft
Date 1967
Author Aquatic Biologist
General Condition
Nepco Lake (1389800) 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
Shoreland Ordinance
Wood County proposes to amend or create a shoreland zoning ordinance that complies with the requirements of NR 115, Wisconsin Administrative Code (as revised effective February 1, 2010) and retain existing regulations that exceed the water resource protections of NR 115 or are specific or unique to local needs.
Protect Riparian or Shorelands
Address the issue of WQ protection and development along Nepco Lake and the Four-mile Creek. SSA Plan Committee agreed to extend the proposed area after counseling with the Village of Port Edwards.
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 |
|---|
| 1389800 | Nepco Lake | 10040175 | Lake Nepco Beach E of Hwy 13 | | | Map | Data |
| 1389800 | Nepco Lake | 10014870 | Nepco Lake (Two Index Stations) | | | Map | Data |
| 1389800 | Nepco Lake | 10042569 | Nepco Lake Griffith Nursery Intake | 8/12/2014 | 8/12/2014 | Map | Data |
| 1389800 | Nepco Lake | 10018240 | Nepco Lake -- Access Off County Hwy Z | 5/10/2003 | 5/29/2017 | Map | Data |
| 1389800 | Nepco Lake | 10018569 | Nepco Lake -- Access at Near State Hwy 13 | 4/27/2005 | 8/9/2024 | Map | Data |
| 1389800 | Nepco Lake | 10007535 | Nepco Lake | 12/31/1995 | 6/10/2024 | Map | Data |
| 1389900 | Twomile Creek | 723306 | Twomile Creek - Hwy Z | | | Map | Data |
| 1389800 | Nepco Lake | 228 | Nepco Lake - Nepco Lake | | | Map | Data |
| 1389800 | Nepco Lake | 10040177 | Lake Nepco YMCA Beach W of Camp Rd | | | Map | Data |
| 1389800 | Nepco Lake | 723258 | Nepco Lake - Deep Hole E Of Dam | 2/26/1997 | 9/22/2024 | Map | Data |
| 1389800 | Nepco Lake | 10014874 | Nepco Lake Mini Fyke Survey | | | Map | Data |
|
Watershed Characteristics
Nepco Lake is located in the Fourmile and Fivemile Creek watershed which is 213.96 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (41.80%), forest (33.10%) and a mix of grassland (12.20%) and other uses (12.80%). This watershed has stream miles, lake acres and 13,528.97 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked Medium for runoff impacts on streams, Medium 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.