Overview

Clark Lake is an oligotrophic drainage lake fed by Logan Creek and drained by Whitefish Bay Creek. It is
the second largest lake in Door County, with an area of 868 acres and a maximum depth of 28 feet. The
fishery consists of large and smallmouth bass, perch, northern pike, walleye and panfish. Its high water
quality should be protected through nonpoint source controls on Logan Creek and through proper
shoreland management. It is being monitored under the Long-Term Trend Monitoring Program. Local
property owners have expressed concerns about possible failing and/or nonconforming on-site septic
systems around the lake.
Surveys of rooted aquatic plants were conducted in 1986, 1989 and 1992 on Clark Lake (Rasman, 1992).
An overall increase in species diversity was found in near-shore areas (areas to 0.5 m depth); however, in
the 0.5 to 1.5 m zone there was a decrease in diversity. Surveyors observed noticeable declines in coontail
(Ceratophyllum demersum) and increases in Eurasian milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum).

Date  2002

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

Source: 1965, Surface Water Resources of Door County Clark Lake, T28, 29N, R27E Surface acres = 864.0, S.D.F. = 1.53, Maximum depth = 22 feet.

The deepest of the mainland lakes of Door County. This is a hard water drainage lake occupying a depression in the area submerged by glacial Lake Nippissing, separated from Lake Michigan by dunes of recent origin. The water is clear and the bottom primarily sand and rock. Logan Creek is the inlet stream, called Whitefish Bay Creek below the lake outlet. Largemouth and smallmouth bass, panfish, northern pike and walleye constitute the fishery. In winter yellow perch provide a significant fishery. Road-ends, with limited parking, provide public access to launch boats; commercial facilities are also available. There are 58 acres of woody wetland bordering the lake. Waterfowl make extensive use of the lake in fall and hunting is an important activity. There are three boat liveries and 116 dwellings on the shoreline, attesting to its recreational popularity.

Date  1965

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

General Condition

Clark Lake Beach was assessed for the 2018 listing cycle; E. coli data sample data were clearly below the 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use. This water was meeting its designated uses and not considered impaired.

Date  2017

Author  Ashley Beranek

General Condition

Clark Lake (97700) was assessed during the 2016 listing cycle; total phosphorus and chlorophyll sample data were clearly below 2016 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use and Fish and Aquatic Life use. This water is meeting these designated uses 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

Recommendations

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

Clark Lake is located in the Upper Door County watershed which is 287.02 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (38%), grassland (22%) and a mix of agricultural (18.90%) and other uses (21.10%). This watershed has 102.85 stream miles, 254,855.32 lake acres and 24,541.39 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked High 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.