Barber Lake, Weirgor Creek and Brunet River Watershed (UC19)
Barber Lake, Weirgor Creek and Brunet River Watershed (UC19)
Barber Lake (2382300)
137.88 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 Headwater
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.
2024
Excellent
 
Sawyer
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.
No

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 Headwater
Shallow headwater 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

Barber Lake, in the Weirgor Creek and Brunet River Watershed, is a 137.88 acre lake that falls in Sawyer County. This lake is managed for fishing and swimming and is currently not considered impaired.

Date  2011

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

Source: 1969, Surface Water Resources of Sawyer County Barber Lake, T39N, R5W, Section 2, 3, 10

A hard water, drainage lake with an outlet, Barber Creek, flowing into Island Creek and the Brunet River system. The estimated normal flow of the outlet is 5.5 cfs. The fish population consists of walleyes, muskellunge, largemouth bass and the common panfishes. The upper, main body of the lake is surrounded mainly by steep slopes and partly wooded shoreline. The lower part of the lake is usually accessible by water through a broad channel. About 50 percent of the lower lake shoreline is tamarack and spruce bog. The maximum depth of the lower lake is six feet. Aquatic vegetation is mainly bulrushes pickerel weed, water lilies and pond weeds. Bottom type varies from a predominant gravel shore to muck along the wetland areas to 10 percent sand on the east shore of the lake. Its game values include a significant population of muskrats and nesting mallards and teal. Private development includes three resorts, a boat rental and 29 cottages. There is a town-owned public access on the northeast shore of the lower lake, which is the only public frontage on the lake. Barker Lake, T40N, R5W, Section 29, 32 Surface Acres = 238.2, Maximum Depth = 12 feet, M.P.A.= 63 ppm, Secchi Disk = 4 feet A hard water, drainage lake located on the East Fork of the Chippewa River. The estimated normal outlet flow of this natural lake is 280 cfs. It has a fish population of walleyes, muskellunge, largemouth and smallmouth bass and panfish. The lakeshore bottom type varies from muck to sand and coarse gravel and rock. Extensive wetlands adjoin the lake on two small feeder streams and on Boyd Creek which flows into the lake from the southeast. Extensive use of these wetlands is made by beaver and nesting ducks and mergansers. Higher than average migratory waterfowl use is made of the lake. Much of the aquatic vegetation provides excellent waterfowl food, including wild rice. Private development amounts to four resorts and 45 cottages. Public frontage is limited to a 60-foot platted access located at the northwest corner of the town road bridge on the upper end of the lake.

Surface Acres = 237.6, Maximum Depth = 21 feet, M.P.A. = 89 ppm, Secchi Disk = 7 feet

Date  1969

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

Monitoring Projects

Watershed Characteristics

Barber Lake is located in the Weirgor Creek and Brunet River watershed which is 324.00 miĀ². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (64.80%), wetland (24.80%) and a mix of agricultural (4.10%) and other uses (6.40%). This watershed has 407.41 stream miles, 2,240.99 lake acres and 39,377.08 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Low 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.

Natural Community

Barber Lake is considered a Shallow Headwater 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 headwater lake describes the depth and location of the lake in a watershed. These variables affect the lakes response to watershed variables.