Zanders Lake, Jordan and Skinner Creeks Watershed (SP02)
Zanders Lake, Jordan and Skinner Creeks Watershed (SP02)
Zanders Lake (894900)
14.31 Acres
Natural Community
Natural communities (stream and lake natural communities) represent model results that use predicted flow and temperature based on landscape features and related assumptions. Ranges of flow and temperature associated with specific aquatic life communities (fish, macroinvertebrates) help biologists identify appropriate resource management goals. Wisconsin Natural Communities.
Shallow Headwater
Year Last Monitored
This is the most recent date of monitoring data stored in SWIMS. Additional surveys for fish and habitat may be available subsequent to this date.
2021
Unknown
 
Green
Trout Water 
Trout Waters are represented by Class I, Class II or Class III waters. These classes have specific ecological characteristics and management actions associated with them. For more information regarding Trout Classifications, see the Fisheries Trout Class Webpages.
No
Outstanding or Exceptional 
Wisconsin has designated many of the state's highest quality waters as Outstanding Resource Waters (ORWs) or Exceptional Resource Waters (ERWs). Waters designated as ORW or ERW are surface waters which provide outstanding recreational opportunities, support valuable fisheries and wildlife habitat, have good water quality, and are not significantly impacted by human activities. ORW and ERW status identifies waters that the State of Wisconsin has determined warrant additional protection from the effects of pollution. These designations are intended to meet federal Clean Water Act obligations requiring Wisconsin to adopt an 'antidegradation' policy that is designed to prevent any lowering of water quality - especially in those waters having significant ecological or cultural value.
No
Impaired Water 
A water is polluted or 'impaired' if it does not support full use by humans, wildlife, fish and other aquatic life and it is shown that one or more of the pollutant criteria are not met.
No

Fish and Aquatic Life

Current Use
The use the water currently supports. This is not a designation or classification; it is based on the current condition of the water. Information in this column is not designed for, and should not be used for, regulatory purposes.
Shallow Headwater
Shallow headwater lake describes the depth and location of the lake in a watershed. These variables affect the lakes response to watershed variables.
Attainable Use
The use that the investigator believes the water could achieve through managing "controllable" sources. Beaver dams, hydroelectric dams, low gradient streams, and naturally occurring low flows are generally not considered controllable. The attainable use may be the same as the current use or it may be higher.
Default FAL
Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.
Designated Use
This is the water classification legally recognized by NR102 and NR104, Wis. Adm. Code. The classification determines water quality criteria and effluent limits. Waters obtain designated uses through classification procedures.
Default FAL
Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.

Overview

Zanders Lake, in the Jordan and Skinner Creeks Watershed, is a 14.31 acre lake that falls in Green County. This lake 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 Zanders Lake, TlN, R6E, S3 Surface Acres = 21.0, S.D.F. = 1.25, Maximum Depth = 8 feet This hard water drainage impoundment is adjacent to Beckman Lake and is surrounded by Cadiz Springs State Park and the Browntown Wildlife Area. A private owner created the lake by partially diverting Zanders Creek. It was purchased by the state in 1949. Rehabilitation of the impounding structure was completed in 1952, increasing the lake area from 15 to 21 acres. Further modification of the surrounding area occurred in 1966 with construction of Beckman Lake. Water from Zanders Lake passes through the dyke to Beckman Lake by means of a tinwhistle outlet structure. The water is clear and over- abundant aquatic vegetation requires periodic chemical control. Common macrophytes include Elodea, coontail, water lilies, water shield, cattail, Potamogeton sp. and Ranunculus sp. The bottom consists of muck, sand and gravel. The lake was originally managed for bass and panfish but is currently managed for brown and rainbow trout. Stunted panfish were chemically eradicated in 1953 and 1967, but fishermen have reintroduced largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegills and pumpkinseeds from Beckman Lake and a stunted panfish population is again present. Small green sunfish and black crappies are also found in the lake. Waterfowl commonly observed on the impoundment include mallards, scaups, coots, ring-necked ducks, blue-winged teal, green and great blue herons and great (American) egrets. Canada geese occasionally use the lake and the adjacent wildlife area provides habitat for a variety of game. Motors are prohibited on Zanders Lake and no boat launch is available. Picnic facilities and a nature trail are provided by the park, as well as a swimming beach on Beckman Lake. Fish Species: Brown trout, rainbow trout, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, pumpkinseed, green sunfish, black crappies.

Date  1980

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Zanders Lake, Jordan and Skinner Creeks Watershed (SP02) Fish and Aquatic LifeZanders Lake, Jordan and Skinner Creeks Watershed (SP02) RecreationZanders Lake, Jordan and Skinner Creeks Watershed (SP02) Fish Consumption

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.

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

Watershed Characteristics

Zander Lake is located in the Jordan and Skinner Creeks watershed which is 94.06 miĀ². 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.

Natural Community

Zanders Lake is considered a Shallow Headwater under the state's Natural Community Determinations.

Natural communities (stream and lake natural communities) represent model results and DNR staff valiation processes that confirm or update predicted conditions based on flow and temperature modeling from historic and current landscape features and related variables. Predicated flow and temperatures for waters are associated predicated fish assemblages (communities). Biologists evaluate the model results against current survey data to determine if the modeled results are corect and whether biological indicators show water quaity degradation. This analysis is a core component of the state's resource management framework. Wisconsin's Riverine Natural Communities.

Shallow headwater lake describes the depth and location of the lake in a watershed. These variables affect the lakes response to watershed variables.

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