Vilas
No
No
Yes
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
Scattering Rice Lake was evaluated in the 2018 and 2022 cycles; phosphorus levels were too high, which was confirmed by excess algal growth. This lake is on the Impaired Waters List.
Date 2018
Author Ashley Beranek
Historical Description
Source: 1963, Surface Water Resources of Vilas County Rice (Scattering) Lake, T-40-N, R-10-E, Sections 13 and 24,
Scattering Rice Lake is a fertile drainage lake having slightly alkaline, clear water of low transparency. Bottom materials consist of sand and muck, with gravel and some rock. Both the inlet and the outlet streams are considered to be freely navigable as this lake is part of the Eagle Chain. The principal fish species present in the lake are muskellunge, walleye, largemouth bass and pan fish. Presently, the only form of access available to this water is by navigating the inlet or the outlet streams. Public use facilities consist of 11 resorts. There are 39 cottages located on the shore line. Muskrats are considered a significant fur bearer.
Area = 280 Surface Acres, Maximum Depth = 17 feet
Date 1963
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
Impaired Waters
Scattering Rice Lake (WBIC 1600300) was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; 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 clearly exceeded the REC use thresholds, and only nearly exceeded the FAL use thresholds. This lake was proposed for listing for total phosphorus in 2018.
Date 2017
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
Lake Management Plan Implementation
The Town of Washington is sponsoring a project on Anvil Lake, Vilas County. The project will focus on studying water quality and developing an Anvil Lake Management Plan (LMP). Project activities include: 1) Develop water and P budget; 2) Water quality evaluation and groundwater assessment; 3) WiLMS simulation modeling; 4) Stakeholder participation; 5) Collect sediment cores for historical and future lake water quality assessment; 6) Implementation of County sewage ordinance and association shoreline restoration project; 7) Develop annual reports, a scientific investigations report and LMP.
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 |
|---|
| 1600300 | Scattering Rice Lake | 10006169 | Scattering Rice Lake | 6/1/1992 | 9/30/2017 | Map | Data |
| 1600300 | Scattering Rice Lake | 10028819 | Scattering Rice Lake North Shore (D 08#2) | 5/21/2008 | 7/2/2008 | Map | Data |
| 1600300 | Scattering Rice Lake | 643102 | Scattering Rice Lake - Deep Hole | 7/10/1979 | 8/24/2024 | Map | Data |
| 1600300 | Scattering Rice Lake | 10028822 | Scattering Rice Lake North Shore (D 08#5) | 5/29/2008 | 7/2/2008 | Map | Data |
| 1600300 | Scattering Rice Lake | 10028817 | Scattering Rice Lake (A 08ta) | 5/29/2008 | 6/25/2008 | Map | Data |
| 1600300 | Scattering Rice Lake | 10028820 | Scattering Rice Lake North Shore (D 08#3) | 5/21/2008 | 7/2/2008 | Map | Data |
| 1600300 | Scattering Rice Lake | 10028818 | Scattering Rice Lake North Shore (D 08#1) | 5/29/2008 | 7/2/2008 | Map | Data |
| 1600300 | Scattering Rice Lake | 10018659 | Scattering Rice Lake -- Boat Launch | 7/15/2010 | 6/8/2021 | Map | Data |
| 1600300 | Scattering Rice Lake | 10028821 | Scattering Rice Lake North Shore (D 08#4) | 5/29/2008 | 7/2/2008 | Map | Data |
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Watershed Characteristics
Scattering Rice Lake is located in the Eagle River watershed which is 181.70 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (55.60%), wetland (28%) and a mix of open (12.90%) and other uses (3.50%). This watershed has 146.13 stream miles, 15,720.03 lake acres and 32,094.84 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked Not Ranked for runoff impacts on streams, High 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.