Burnett
No
No
Yes
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
Big Doctor Lake, in the Clam River Watershed, is a 213.20 acre lake that falls in Burnett County. This lake is managed for fishing and swimming and is currently considered impaired.
Date 2016
Author Ashley Beranek
Historical Description
Source: 1966, Surface Water Resources of Burnett County Big Doctor Lake, T38N, R16W, Sections 6, 7
A landlocked, soft water, seepage lake subject to periodic winterkills. Its fish population consists of northern pike, largemouth bass, perch, bluegill, pumpkinseed and bullhead. Lakeshore vegetation is 50 percent upland and 50 percent tag alder and tamarack - leatherleaf bog wetlands. Aquatic vegetation is mainly white and yellow water lilies, spike rush, cattails, bulrush and Potamogeton species. Private development consists of twelve cottages and there is no public frontage. The only access is a private trail on the east side of the lake. The lake and its adjoining wetlands are used by a few nesting mallards, ring-necked ducks, blue-winged teal and wood ducks. There is moderate use by fall migrant diving ducks. Furbearer use is limited.
Surface Acres = 221.6, Maximum Depth = 6 feet, M.P.A.= 6 ppm, Secchi Disk = Bottom
Date 1966
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
Impaired Waters
Big Doctor Lake was evaluated for phosphorus and algae every two-year assessment cycle from 2014 and 2022. Phosphorus levels were found to be too high, which was reflected in algal blooms.
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
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 |
|---|
| 2453400 | Big Doctor Lake | 10001671 | Big Doctor Lake | 9/5/2000 | 8/18/2024 | Map | Data |
| 2453400 | Big Doctor Lake | 10056983 | Big Doctor Lake - North Site | | | Map | Data |
| 2453400 | Big Doctor Lake | 073123 | Big Doctor Lake - Deep Hole | 5/10/2001 | 10/17/2024 | Map | Data |
| 2453400 | Big Doctor Lake | 10056984 | Big Doctor Lake - Center | 5/24/2023 | 5/24/2023 | Map | Data |
| 2453400 | Big Doctor Lake | 10018086 | Big Doctor Lake -- Access | 8/17/2005 | 9/15/2024 | Map | Data |
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Watershed Characteristics
Big Doctor Lake is located in the Clam River watershed which is 206.86 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (58.90%), wetland (20.10%) and a mix of grassland (8.80%) and other uses (12.20%). This watershed has 218.27 stream miles, 5,389.35 lake acres and 24,386.72 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked Not Ranked for runoff impacts on streams, Medium 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.