Jefferson
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Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
Blue Spring Lake, in the Scuppernong River Watershed, is a 135.55 acre springs-lake that falls in Jefferson County. This springs-lake is managed for fishing and swimming and is currently not considered impaired.
Date 2011
Author Aquatic Biologist
Historical Description
A small spring-fed lake on the edge of the kettle moraine. A dam with four feet of head was constructed on the outlet in 1928 to maintain an elevated water level. Spring Creek originates here. The lake has clear, alkaline, water over a sand and gravel bottom. Springs are evidenced by small unfrozen areas in mild winters. Largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegills and black crappies constitute the fishery. Panfish may be stunted. Aquatic weeds are a use problem and are annually cut and removed. There are five platted sites for public road access, however, most are undeveloped and only one, at the dam is used for access. This site is normally gated and parking is a problem. As the lake is entirely surrounded by dwellings, waterfowl make little use of it. Source: 1968, Surface Water Resources of Jefferson County Blue Spring Lake, T5N, R16E, Section 27, 28 Surface Acres = 136.0 S.D.F. = 1.77, Maximum Depth = 12 feet
Date 1968
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
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
Lake Classification
Jefferson County Land and Water Conservation Department will undertake a lake classification process. The resulting lake classification system will enable the County and other lake management entities to implement appropriate lake management strategies in a priority -driven and efficient manner. It will result in the protection and restoration of the water quality and natural ecosystems of the lakes in Jefferson County.
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 |
|---|
| 819800 | Blue Spring Lake | 10018009 | Blue Spring Lake -- Access at S Shore | 7/1/2007 | 6/5/2009 | Map | Data |
| 819800 | Blue Spring Lake | 10014844 | Blue Spring Lake - Landing To South Bay | | | Map | Data |
| 819800 | Blue Spring Lake | 10021962 | Blue Spring Lake | 10/6/2010 | 10/6/2010 | Map | Data |
| 819800 | Blue Spring Lake | 10018010 | Blue Spring Lake -- Access Nr Blue Spring Lk Rd And South Shore | 5/17/2005 | 9/20/2023 | Map | Data |
| 819800 | Blue Spring Lake | 10003034 | Blue Springs Lake | 6/1/1993 | 8/27/2024 | Map | Data |
| 819800 | Blue Spring Lake | 283117 | Blue Spring Lake - Deep Hole | 6/30/1980 | 9/21/2024 | Map | Data |
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Watershed Characteristics
Blue Spring Lake is located in the Scuppernong River watershed which is 87.43 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (43.40%), forest (21%) and a mix of wetland (17.40%) and other uses (18.10%). This watershed has 159.20 stream miles, 309.65 lake acres and 9,009.01 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked Not Ranked for runoff impacts on streams, Low 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.