Wilke Lake, Sheboygan River Watershed (SH03)
Wilke Lake, Sheboygan River Watershed (SH03)
Wilke Lake (58000)
92.53 Acres
Natural Community
Natural communities (stream and lake natural communities) represent model results that use predicted flow and temperature based on landscape features and related assumptions. Ranges of flow and temperature associated with specific aquatic life communities (fish, macroinvertebrates) help biologists identify appropriate resource management goals. Wisconsin Natural Communities.
Deep Seepage
Year Last Monitored
This is the most recent date of monitoring data stored in SWIMS. Additional surveys for fish and habitat may be available subsequent to this date.
2024
Good
 
Manitowoc
Trout Water 
Trout Waters are represented by Class I, Class II or Class III waters. These classes have specific ecological characteristics and management actions associated with them. For more information regarding Trout Classifications, see the Fisheries Trout Class Webpages.
No
Outstanding or Exceptional 
Wisconsin has designated many of the state's highest quality waters as Outstanding Resource Waters (ORWs) or Exceptional Resource Waters (ERWs). Waters designated as ORW or ERW are surface waters which provide outstanding recreational opportunities, support valuable fisheries and wildlife habitat, have good water quality, and are not significantly impacted by human activities. ORW and ERW status identifies waters that the State of Wisconsin has determined warrant additional protection from the effects of pollution. These designations are intended to meet federal Clean Water Act obligations requiring Wisconsin to adopt an 'antidegradation' policy that is designed to prevent any lowering of water quality - especially in those waters having significant ecological or cultural value.
No
Impaired Water 
A water is polluted or 'impaired' if it does not support full use by humans, wildlife, fish and other aquatic life and it is shown that one or more of the pollutant criteria are not met.
No

Fish and Aquatic Life

Current Use
The use the water currently supports. This is not a designation or classification; it is based on the current condition of the water. Information in this column is not designed for, and should not be used for, regulatory purposes.
Deep Seepage
Deep seepage lake describes the depth and hydrologic charactertistics of the lake. These variables affect the lakes response to watershed variables.
Attainable Use
The use that the investigator believes the water could achieve through managing "controllable" sources. Beaver dams, hydroelectric dams, low gradient streams, and naturally occurring low flows are generally not considered controllable. The attainable use may be the same as the current use or it may be higher.
Default FAL
Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.
Designated Use
This is the water classification legally recognized by NR102 and NR104, Wis. Adm. Code. The classification determines water quality criteria and effluent limits. Waters obtain designated uses through classification procedures.
Default FAL
Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.

Overview

WILKE LAKE
T17N, R21E, Section 2, Manitowoc County, Sheboygan River Watershed
Surface acres 97, S.D.F. = 1.30, Maximum depth = 22 feet
Drainage area - 0.73 sq. mi., Mean depth = 8.35 feet,
Lake volume = 810 ac.ft.

Wilke is a 97-acre, 21-foot-maximum-depth seepage lake located in the terminal moraine part of the state. This lake has hard water and a bottom composed of gravel and muck. It is a heavily used and intensively developed lake. Largemouth bass, panfish and northern pike provide good fishing. Weeds and stunted bluegills are the major management problems. A town road with parking provides access to 50 feet of public frontage. Two boat liveries on the lake increase fishing access. There are 32 acres of non woody adjoining wetland. A moderate number of ducks may visit the lake during the spring and fall. Water use objectives and recommendations have been developed for Wilke Lake, and are summarized in the Nonpoint Source Control Plan for the Sheboygan River Priority Watershed Project (WDNR 1993).

Aquatic Plants

A general survey of the aquatic vegetation of Wilke Lake was conducted. Table 44 lists the aquatic vegetation that was observed in Wilke Lake during the 1994 survey. The lake association owns and operates a mechanical harvester which was operating during the survey.

Table 34. List of aquatic plants found in Wilke Lake, Manitowoc County
Common Name Scientific Name
Muskgrass
Bulrush
Naiad
Richardson Pondweed
Large Leaf Pondweed

Floating Leaf Pondweed (Unid.)
Unknown pondweed
Water Milfoil
Bladderwort
Yellow Water Lily

White Water Lily Chara sp.
Juncus sp.
Najas sp.
Potamogeton richardsonii
Potamogeton amplifolius

Potamogeton sp.
Potamogeton sp.
Myriophyllum sp.
Utricularia sp.
Nuphar sp.

Nymphaea sp.

Water Quality

The water quality of Wilke Lake was monitored on May 4, and August 24, 1994. In May, the lake was weakly stratified with only a 2.5 degree difference from top to bottom (15 ft), and the dissolved oxygen ranged from 10.6 at the surface to 10.0 at the bottom. In August, the lake was only slightly more stratified with a 2.6-degree difference from top to bottom (20 ft), however the dissolved oxygen was 1.4 ppm at 20 feet. Water clarity was measured to be 2.5 meters and 1.4 meters in May and August respectively (Wakeman 1996). Additional water quality information and water quality goals for Wilke Lake can be found in the Nonpoint Source Control Plan for the Sheboygan River Priority Watershed Project (WDNR, 1993).

Trophic Status Index

Figure 15 summarizes the trophic status of the lake. Based upon the past and present water quality information Wilke Lake is considered to be meso- to eutrophic. There appears to be some significant changes in the Trophic Status Index based upon the available information (Wakeman 1996).

Date  2001

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

Source: 1968, Surface Water Resources of Manitowoc County Wilke Lake, T17N, R21E, Section 2 Surface acres - 97, S.D.F. = 1.30, Maximum depth = 22 feet.

A landlocked seepage lake located in terminal moraine. This lake has hard, clear water and a bottom composed of gravel and muck. Largemouth bass, panfish and northern pike provide good fishing. Weeds and stunted bluegills are the major management problems. This is one of the most heavily used lakes in the county. There are 61 dwellings and one resort on the shoreline. A town road with parking provides access to 50 feet of public frontage. Two boat liveries on the lake increase fishing access. There are 32 acres of non-woody adjoining wetland. A moderate number of ducks may visit the lake during the spring and fall. Hunting is permitted.

Date  1968

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Wilke Lake, Sheboygan River Watershed (SH03) Fish and Aquatic LifeWilke Lake, Sheboygan River Watershed (SH03) RecreationWilke Lake, Sheboygan River Watershed (SH03) Fish Consumption

General Condition

Wilke Lake (58000) was assessed during the 2016 listing cycle; total phosphorus and chlorophyll sample data were clearly below Fish and Aquatic Life use listing thresholds. This water is meeting this designated use and is not considered impaired.

Date  2015

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

Wilke Lake is located in the Sheboygan River watershed which is 260.12 miĀ². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (47.30%), grassland (17.60%) and a mix of wetland (16.70%) and other uses (18.30%). This watershed has 340.24 stream miles, 4,345.33 lake acres and 27,968.05 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Not Available for runoff impacts on streams, Not Available 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.

Natural Community

Wilke Lake is considered a Deep Seepage under the state's Natural Community Determinations.

Natural communities (stream and lake natural communities) represent model results and DNR staff valiation processes that confirm or update predicted conditions based on flow and temperature modeling from historic and current landscape features and related variables. Predicated flow and temperatures for waters are associated predicated fish assemblages (communities). Biologists evaluate the model results against current survey data to determine if the modeled results are corect and whether biological indicators show water quaity degradation. This analysis is a core component of the state's resource management framework. Wisconsin's Riverine Natural Communities.

Deep seepage lake describes the depth and hydrologic charactertistics of the lake. These variables affect the lakes response to watershed variables.