Jefferson
No
No
Yes
Fish and Aquatic Life
Historical Description
This lake is created by dam on the Scuppernong River near the town of Palmyra. There is a small boat livery where access is provided. Otherwise, there is no access for the public. Some marshland on the upper end provides habitat for furbearers, and nesting waterfowl. Principal fish present are northern pike, largemouth bass and bluegills. Aquatic weeds are a use problem in shallow areas. Source: 1968, Surface Water Resources of Jefferson County Spring Lake (Lower), T5N, R16E, Section 22, 23 Surface Acres = 89.6, S.D.F. = 2.42, Maximum Depth = 14 feet
Date 1968
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
General Condition
Lower Spring Lake 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
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 levels are below recreation use listing thresholds.
Date 2011
Author Aquatic Biologist
Impaired Waters
Spring Lake Lower (WBIC 820800) was placed on the impaired waters list for total phosphorus in 2012. The 2018 assessments showed continued impairment by phosphorus; new total phosphorus sample data exceeded the 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use and Fish and Aquatic Life use. Chlorophyll-a sample data did not exceed the REC or FAL use thresholds. Based on the most updated information, no change in the existing impaired waters listing was needed.
Date 2017
Author Ashley Beranek
Impaired Waters
Spring Lake Lower (820800) was placed on the impaired waters list for total phosphorus in 2012. This water was assessed during the 2016 listing cycle; total phosphorus sample data exceeded 2016 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation, however, chlorophyll data do not exceed REC thresholds. Total phosphorus and chlorophyll data clearly met thresholds for Fish and Aquatic Life use.
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
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 |
|---|
| 820800 | Spring Lake | 10042081 | Lower Spring Lake - SW (Herbicide Monitoring Site 4) | 5/20/2014 | 5/24/2017 | Map | Data |
| 820800 | Spring Lake | 10042078 | Lower Spring Lake - Mid South (Herbicide Monitoring Site 2) | 5/20/2014 | 5/24/2017 | Map | Data |
| 820800 | Spring Lake | 10014850 | Lower Spring Lake | | | Map | Data |
| 820800 | Spring Lake | 10043936 | Lower Spring Lake - Shore access off of Hwy 59 | 5/15/2015 | 7/18/2018 | Map | Data |
| 820800 | Spring Lake | 283290 | Lower Spring Lake - Beach On East End Of Lake | 6/2/2005 | 8/26/2024 | Map | Data |
| 820800 | Spring Lake | 10042080 | Lower Spring Lake - NW (Herbicide Monitoring Site 5) | 5/20/2014 | 5/24/2017 | Map | Data |
| 820800 | Spring Lake | 10042077 | Lower Spring Lake - East (Herbicide Monitoring Site 1) | 5/20/2014 | 5/24/2017 | Map | Data |
| 820800 | Spring Lake | 10003040 | Lower Spring Lake | 6/1/1992 | 1/16/2024 | Map | Data |
| 820800 | Spring Lake | 283201 | Lower Spring Lake - Deep Hole | 6/30/1980 | 10/11/2024 | Map | Data |
| 820800 | Spring Lake | 10042079 | Lower Spring Lake - Mid North (Herbicide Monitoring Site 3) | 5/20/2014 | 5/24/2017 | Map | Data |
| 820800 | Spring Lake | 10030698 | Lower Spring Lake South Bay | 6/9/2005 | 4/29/2011 | Map | Data |
| 820800 | Spring Lake | 10018011 | Lower Spring Lake -- Spring Lake Access | 5/17/2005 | 9/20/2023 | Map | Data |
| 820800 | Spring Lake | 284002 | Lower Spring Lake - Lower Spring Lake | 8/29/1979 | 8/29/1979 | Map | Data |
|
Watershed Characteristics
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.