Vilas
No
No
Yes
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
South Turtle Lake is a drainage lake of moderate fertility, having light brown, slightly alkaline water of moderate transparency. The bottom materials consist chiefly of sand, with gravel, rock and muck. Both the inlet and outlet streams are navigable. Muskellunge, northern pike, walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and pan fish constitute the major fish species present. Public access is possible by means of a town road with parking facilities,, or by navigating the inlet or outlet streams. Public use facilities consist of six resorts and two boat rental establishments. There are 42 cottages located on the shore line. The lake is insignificant to fur bearers and little is known of it's value to waterfowl.
Source: 1963, Surface Water Resources of Vilas County
Turtle (South) Lake, T-43-N, R-5-E, Sections 8, 17 and 20,
Area = 454 Surface Acres, Maximum Depth = 23 feet
Date 1963
Author Aquatic Biologist
Impaired Waters
The 2018 assessments of South Turtle Lake (WBIC 2310200) showed excess algal growth; new chlorophyll-a sample data exceeded the 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use. Total phosphorus data were clearly below Recreation use and Fish and Aquatic Life use listing thresholds. Based on the most updated information, no change in the existing impaired waters listing was needed.
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
Monitor Fish Tissue
South Turtle Lake - Monitor for fish tissue.
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 |
|---|
| 2310200 | South Turtle Lake | 10018645 | South Turtle Lake -- Access at Chicago Ave Off County Hwy W | 8/26/2007 | 9/22/2024 | Map | Data |
| 2310200 | South Turtle Lake | 10006366 | South Turtle Lake | 4/21/1999 | 9/6/2023 | Map | Data |
| 2310200 | South Turtle Lake | 643257 | South Turtle Lake - Deep Hole | 8/13/1984 | 9/4/2024 | Map | Data |
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Watershed Characteristics
South Turtle Lake is located in the Flambeau Flowage watershed which is 247.18 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (56.80%), wetland (28.20%) and a mix of open (14.10%) and other uses (0.90%). This watershed has 190.98 stream miles, 10,199.06 lake acres and 43,978.35 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked Not Ranked for runoff impacts on streams, Not Ranked 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.