Overview

Moshawquit Lake, in the Lower Oconto River Watershed, is a 301.25 acre lake that falls in Menominee County. This lake is managed for fishing and swimming and is currently not considered impaired.

Date  2011

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

Source: 1963, Surface Water Resources of Menominee County

Moshawquit Lake - T-28-N, R-16-E, Section 24
Surface Area = 296 acres, S.D.F. = 1.24, Maximum Depth = 30 feet
A medium hard water drainage lake having clear, alkaline water
of moderate transparency. Sand is the principal Iittoral material
with minor areas of muck and a very limited area of gravel. Shore
line consists mostly of a coniferous -hardwood upland with a small
marsh wetland in the vicinity of the inlet. Most of the lake's
surface area is less than 20 feet deep. Moshawquit Lake is the
largest lake in Menominee County and has the most dwellings.
Northern pike, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed, bluegill, yellow
bullhead, black bullhead, yellow perch, common sucker, and trout
constitute the fishery resource. Although not noted as a trout
lake, an occasional trout is caught. The resident trout presumably
come from the outlet stream known as Linzy Brook. Submerged
aquatic vegetation is quite heavy. Retention of the marsh areas
bordering the inlet and outlet streams is essential in order to
provide spawning areas for northern pike and sustain a natural
population of this species. Both the inlet and outlet streams are
navigable by small watercraft. The inlet affords navigable water
access to Pywaosit Lake, however, a low bridge necessitates a
portage. A company camping area is located on the northeast shore.
Seventeen dwellings are located on other shores. An inoperative
2-bay concrete stop log water control structure is located at the
outlet with potential for storage of approximately a 2-foot head.
Company roads adjoin the lake on the east, south and west shores.
Waterfowl make moderate use of the lake during the fall migration.

Date  1963

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

General Condition

Moshawquit Lake (WBIC 454200) was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; new total phosphorus and chlorophyll-a sample data were clearly below 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

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

Watershed Characteristics

Moshawquit Lake is located in the Lower Oconto River watershed which is 196.48 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (33.70%), agricultural (25.80%) and a mix of wetland (23.90%) and other uses (16.60%). This watershed has 314.34 stream miles, 3,972.16 lake acres and 24,684.40 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Low 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.