Waupaca
No
No
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Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
School Section Lake, in the Lower Little Wolf River Watershed, is a 38.53 acre lake that falls in Waupaca County. This lake is managed for fishing and swimming and is currently not considered impaired.
Date 2011
Author Aquatic Biologist
Historical Description
Source: 1971, Surface Water Resources of Waupaca County School Section Lake, T24N, R13E, Section 16, 21 Surface Acres = 39.3; S.D.F. = 1.76, Maximum Depth = 38 feet.
School Section Lake is a clear, hard water drained basin fed primarily by springs. A small outlet stream flows north into Whitcomb Creek. Four sub-basins lie within the main lake basin; depth of each basin is as follows; 20 feet, 30 feet, 35 feet and 38 feet. Marl is the predominant littoral bottom type. Management is for largemouth bass and panfish. The most common species present include largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, pumpkinseed, and perch. Northern pike are also present. The lake is noted for fine bass fishing. Nesting bluewing teal utilize the lake as do migrant puddle ducks and diving ducks. A significant population of muskrats is also found on the lake. Hunting is allowed. Developments include one public boat landing, two boat liveries, and three cottages.
Date 1971
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
General Condition
School Section Lake (WBIC 283600) was placed on the impaired waters list for total phosphorus in 2014. This water was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; new total phosphorus and chlorophyll-a sample data were clearly below the 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use and the Fish and Aquatic Life use. This water was meeting these designated uses and was not considered impaired.
Date 2017
Author Ashley Beranek
Impaired Waters
School Section Lake (283600) was placed on the impaired waters list for total phosphorus in 2014. 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 |
|---|
| 283600 | School Section Lake | 693025 | School Section Lake - Deep Hole | 3/1/1976 | 9/5/2024 | Map | Data |
| 283600 | School Section Lake | 10018200 | School Section Lake -- Access | 7/15/2012 | 7/15/2012 | Map | Data |
| 283600 | School Section Lake | 10007365 | School Section Lake | 6/1/1993 | 8/23/2017 | Map | Data |
|
Watershed Characteristics
School Section Lake is located in the Lower Little Wolf River watershed which is 153.60 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (33.10%), forest (28.50%) and a mix of wetland (22.20%) and other uses (16.20%). This watershed has 189.20 stream miles, 1,038.51 lake acres and 21,932.16 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.