Portage
No
No
No
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
Adams Lake is a clear, hard water spring fed lake located about five miles west of Amherst. Littoral bottom materials consist primarily of marl, along with lesser amounts of sand. The lake has an intermittent inlet and a small outlet (Bear Creek). The lake is best known for its trout fishing with brooks, browns, and rainbows all being present. Largemouth bass and bluegills are also common. Other fish species include perch, black crappie, rock bass, green sunfish, and yellow bullheads. The lake develops a midsummer thermocline at about 14 feet. Developments include six cottages, and a public access with parking. An unimproved boat launch site is available at the access. Aesthetically the lake is very beautiful, however, cattle watering on the southwest side has resulted in some trampling of the shoreline and light erosion. Wildlife use is quite limited. A few ducks use the lake during their spring and fall migrations.
Source: 1972, Surface Water Resources of Portage County Adams Lake, T23N, R9E, Section 26, Surface Acres-30.4, S.D.F.-1.12, Maximum Depth-51 feet.
Date 1972
Author Aquatic Biologist
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 |
|---|
| 267800 | Adams Lake | 10018238 | Adams Lake -- Access | 9/15/2008 | 6/20/2024 | Map | Data |
| 267800 | Adams Lake | 504001 | Adams Lake - Deep Hole | 8/7/1979 | 4/25/2019 | Map | Data |
| 267800 | Adams Lake | 10005120 | Adams Lake | 7/27/1999 | 3/12/2024 | Map | Data |
| 267800 | Adams Lake | 10044264 | Adams Lake - Monitoring Well | 9/17/2015 | 10/28/2024 | Map | Data |
|
Watershed Characteristics
Adams Lake is located in the Waupaca River watershed which is 290.77 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (43.70%), agricultural (30.40%) and a mix of grassland (14%) and other uses (11.80%). This watershed has 231.34 stream miles, 2,456.10 lake acres and 14,124.68 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked Medium for runoff impacts on streams, Not Ranked for runoff impacts on lakes and High for runoff impacts on groundwater and therefore has an overall rank of High. 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.