Oneida, Vilas
No
No
No
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
Squaw Lake, T39N, R4E, Section 9 Surface Acres = 784.5, S.D.F. = 2.29, Maximum Depth = 22 feet.
A soft water drainage lake having neutral clear water of low transparency. Sand is the predominant littoral material (90 percent) with some muck, rubble and limited boulders present. Shoreline is predominantly upland (97 percent) with a shrub-bog wetland adjoining a very limited portion of the lake basin. Fish species found in this lake are muskellunge, northern pike, walleye, largemouth bass, perch, bluegill, crappie, rock bass, bullhead and sucker. Public access with parking is available. Twelve resorts, one boat rental and 39 dwellings are located on the shoreline. Mallard and black duck use this lake as a nesting site. Puddle ducks and diving ducks utilize this lake on their fall migrations. Lake levels are maintained by a water control structure of two head feet located on the outlet stream.
Date
Author Aquatic Biologist
Impaired Waters
Squaw Lake (WBIC 2271600) was placed on the impaired waters list for excess algal growth in 2014 and the 2018 assessments showed continued excess algal growth. Total phosphorus sample data clearly met the 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Fish and Aquatic Life and Recreation uses. Chlorophyll-a sample data nearly exceeded the REC use thresholds, but clearly met the FAL use thresholds. This water was not meeting its designated uses and was considered impaired. No listing change was needed to the existing impaired waters listing.
Date 2017
Author Ashley Beranek
Impaired Waters
Squaw Lake (2271600) was placed on the impaired waters list for excess algal growth in 2014. The 2016 assessments showed continued excess algal growth; chlorophyll sample data exceed 2016 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use, however, total phosphorus did not exceed REC thresholds. Total phosphorus and chlorophyll data were clearly below Fish and Aquatic Life listing thresholds. Based on the most updated information, no change in existing impaired waters listing is needed.
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
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 |
|---|
| 2271600 | Amber Lake | 643457 | Amber Lake - Site B South Bay | 4/20/1999 | 8/17/2016 | Map | Data |
| 2271600 | Amber Lake | 10004267 | Amber Lake | 8/29/2000 | 4/4/2024 | Map | Data |
| 2271600 | Amber Lake | 10018824 | Amber Lake -- Access Nr W Squaw Lake Rd | 6/25/2007 | 7/7/2022 | Map | Data |
| 2271600 | Amber Lake | 10021157 | Amber Lake - Deep Hole | 7/16/2007 | 9/16/2024 | Map | Data |
| 2271600 | Amber Lake | 643456 | Amber Lake - Site A North Bay | 4/20/1999 | 5/18/2010 | Map | Data |
|
Watershed Characteristics
Amber Lake is located in the Upper South Fork Flambeau River watershed which is 278.98 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (54.80%), wetland (38.80%) and a mix of open (4.60%) and other uses (1.70%). This watershed has 254.56 stream miles, 8,509.29 lake acres and 63,099.27 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.