Overview

Lake Emily, in the Lower Grand River Watershed, is a 268.23 acre lake that falls in Dodge County. This lake is managed for fishing and swimming and is currently considered impaired.

Date  2018

Author  Ashley Beranek

Historical Description

Source: 1965, Surface Water Resources of Dodge County

Emily Lake T13N, R13E, S4,5
Surface Acres = 268, S.D.F. = 1.27, Maximum Depth 12 feet

A shallow, fertile lake originally formed when the Green Lake
recessional moraine blocked the outlet stream from a marshy
depression. The lake is principally fed by seepage and springs,
although runoff from a small watershed no doubt contributes to
maintain water levels. The intermittent outlet stream drains
westward to the Grand River, making Emily the only lake in Dodge
County which lies in the Great Lakes Drainage System; the others
drain to the Mississippi River. A newly constructed 4-foot dam
located on this run has raised and maintained water levels while
preventing the entry of undesirable species from the Grand River
system. Littoral materials range from silt, sand and gravel to
coarse rubble. Most portions of the lake support luxuriant growths
of rooted vegetation. The fishery consists primarily of perch,
bluegills, largemouth bass, northern pike and several other species
in lesser numbers. Mallards, teal, wood ducks, and coot have been
observed to raise broods here, and hunting has been good in recent
years. Public access is provided by an unimproved launching ramp
and parking area on the northeast side of the lake Off County
Highway A. Although 17 dwellings are located on or near the
shoreline, the presence of a beaver lodge in 1964 attests to the
existence of some largely undeveloped areas.
History shows Lake Emily has suffered from severe winterkills
on several occasions, the most recent occurring in 1958-59 and
1961-62. An excessive population of carp in the 1950's resulted in
a decline of game fish, vegetation, and water clarity. A Wisconsin
Conservation Department chemical treatment project in June of 1959
led to striking changes. Fishing has been improving steadily
following restocking. Waterfowl use increased greatly with the
return of submergent vegetation, and it was common to see up to
3,000 ducks on the lake the following autumn. Unfortunately, a
washout around the old outlet dam allowed the reentry of carp;
reoccurrence of which is now prevented by the new dam. A second
chemical treatment program will be initiated should carp again
become a problem. Regardless of the ever present winterkill
potential, the benefits derived during the good years overshadow
natural setbacks and justify the continuance of intensive
management.

Date  1965

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Impaired Waters

Lake Emily has been on the Impaired Waters List for phosphorus since the 2014 cycle. Evaluations every two-year cycle from 2016 to 2022 confirmed the phosphorus listing.

Date  2022

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

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

Lake Emily is located in the Lower Grand River watershed which is 109.39 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (44.50%), wetland (23.10%) and a mix of forest (15.90%) and other uses (16.50%). This watershed has 185.16 stream miles, 1,264.36 lake acres and 13,715.30 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.