Polk
No
No
Yes
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
Ward Lake T36N, R16W, Sec. 14 Surface Acres = 85.0, S.D.F. 1.78, Maximum Depth 35 ft., M.P.A. 18 A landlocked lake with fish populations consisting of walleyes, northern pike, black crappies, bluegills, largemouth bass, rock bass, pumpkinseed and bullheads. There are no public lands or access roads to the lake. Private development of the lake shore consists of one resort and two cottages. Muskrats are present, as are nesting mallards and bluewing teal. Seven acres of nonwooded wetlands adjoin the lake.
Date
Author Aquatic Biologist
Historical Description
Ward Lake is a 91 acre seepage lake with a newly active lake association. This association has
contacted WRM for assistance in organization and understanding the recent health advisory
listing of Ward Lake for walleye contamination with mercury. A volunteer recently started
collecting self-help monitoring data on this lake and the group has expressed interest in
initiating a lake water quality study. There are indications that this lake has been impacted by
nonpoint pollution from a relatively small watershed and the lake should be considered for a
nonpoint sourcewatershed project.
Date 1992
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
Impaired Waters
Ward Lake (WBIC 2599400) was placed on the impaired waters list for total phosphorus and excess algal growth in 2012. The 2018 assessments showed continued excess algal growth; new chlorophyll-a sample data exceeded the 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use. Total phosphorus sample data was only nearly below the use thresholds. Based on the most updated information, no change in the existing impaired waters listing was needed.
Date 2017
Author Ashley Beranek
Impaired Waters
Ward Lake (2599400) was placed on the impaired waters list for total phosphorus/excess algal growth in 2012. 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 |
|---|
| 2599400 | Ward Lake | 10018027 | Ward Lake -- Access | 7/8/2005 | 8/15/2024 | Map | Data |
| 2599400 | Ward Lake | 493098 | Ward Lake - Deep Hole | 9/19/1988 | 8/31/2024 | Map | Data |
| 2599400 | Ward Lake | 10004790 | Ward Lake | 4/17/1993 | 8/27/2024 | Map | Data |
|
Watershed Characteristics
Ward 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.This water is ranked High Lake for individual Lakes based on runoff problems and the likelihood of success from project implementation.