Somo Lake, Somo River Watershed (UW35)
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Somo Lake, Somo River Watershed (UW35)
Somo Lake (1547700)
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404.02 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 Lowland
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.
2022
Good
 
This lake is impaired
Mercury Contaminated Fish Tissue
Mercury
 
Lincoln
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.
Yes

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 Lowland
Shallow lowland 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

Somo Lake , in the Somo River Watershed, is a 404.01 acre lake that falls in Lincoln County. This lake is managed for fishing and swimming and is currently considered impaired.

Date  2011

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

Source: 1982, Surface Water Resources of Lincoln County Somo Lake, T35N, R5E, Sec. 16 Surface Ahres = 339.7, Maximum Depth = 25 feet, Secchi Disc = 3 feet.

A very soft water drainage lake having neutral, light brown water of low transparency. The shoreline is 80 percent upland of hardwoods and conifer and 20 percent shrub bog wetland. The littoral zone is 70 percent sand, 20 percent muck, 5 percent gravel, 3 percent rubble and 2 percent boulder. Submergent vegetation is moderate in 33 percent of the lake basin and emergent and floating vegetation are moderately dense in some areas. There are 3 inlets: the Little Somo River, Creek 9-11, and Creek 17-4. The outlet, Little Somo River, is navigable and flows to the Big Somo River. The known fish population includes muskellunge, northern pike, walleye, perch, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, rock bass, pumpkinseed, black bullhead, brown bullhead, white sucker, redhorse, common shiner and golden shiner. The lake is used by nesting puddle ducks and possibly by spring and fall migratory waterfowl. Public access is available from 2 boat landings, one of which has parking and by navigable water via Little Somo River. There are 125 dwellings and 4 resorts on the lakeshore.

Date  1982

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

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
Fish Propagation Actions2001

Monitoring Projects

WBICOfficial Waterbody NameStation IDStation NameEarliest Fieldwork DateLatest Fieldwork DateView StationView Data
1547700Somo Lake10056283Somo Lake Launch - County Hwy CC 8/6/20228/20/2022MapData
1547700Somo Lake353234Somo Lake - CenterMapData
1547700Somo Lake10020010Somo Lake -- AccessMapData
1547700Somo Lake10003447Somo Lake8/29/20006/22/2022MapData
1547700Somo Lake353135Somo Lake - 3/4 Mile DownstreamSouth Side Of River3/12/199710/18/1997MapData

Watershed Characteristics

Somo Lake is located in the Somo River watershed which is 141.31 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (50.60%), wetland (44.30%) and a mix of grassland (2.10%) and other uses (3.00%). This watershed has 168.64 stream miles, 643.93 lake acres and 31,815.14 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Not Ranked for runoff impacts on streams, Low for runoff impacts on lakes and Low for runoff impacts on groundwater and therefore has an overall rank of Low. 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

Somo Lake is considered a Shallow Lowland 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 lowland lake describes the depth and location of the lake in a watershed. These variables affect the lakes response to watershed variables.