Waushara
No
No
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Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
Curtis Lake, in the Mecan River Watershed, is a 34.71 acre lake that falls in Waushara County. This lake is managed for fishing and swimming and is currently not considered impaired.
Date 2011
Author Aquatic Biologist
Historical Description
Source: 1970, Surface Water Resources of Waushara County Curtis Lake T-18-N, R- 19-E, Section 28 Surface Acres = 33.0; S.D.F. = 1.09; Maximum Depth = 41 feet.
A small, drainage lake that is characterized by a circular basin. The inlet of the lake is formed primarily from seepage along the northwest shore. The outlet of the lake flows into the North Branch of Wedde Creek. Approximately 65 percent of the basin has water in excess of 20 feet. The rather limited littoral zone has bottom materials consisting of muck and sand. The lake develops a midsummer thermocline at ten feet. The lake is managed for largemouth bass and bluegills. Northern pike, crappie, bullheads, rock bass, pumpkinseed and perch are also present in the fishery. Based on the water quality and general character of the basin, an experimental plant of 4,900 rainbow trout was executed in 1957, with the objective of creating a possible two story fishery (cold water and warm water fish species in the same lake). However, a successful trout fishery was not established and planting has been discontinued. For the small size of this lake it has produced occasional catches of large bass and northern pike. The panfish population is somewhat stunted, and if this condition worsens a partial chemical treatment program to reduce the panfish numbers may be required. The lake has a public access with an improved landing. A picnic area and bathing beach are also available. Four cottages are present on the lake.
Date 1970
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
General Condition
Curtis Lake (156300) was assessed during the 2016 listing cycle; total phosphorus sample data were clearly below 2016 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use and Fish and Aquatic Life use. This water was also assessed for chlorides and sample data were clearly below 2016 WisCALM chronic and acute listing criteria for the 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
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 |
|---|
| 156300 | Curtis Lake | 703053 | Curtis Lake - Outlet | 2/21/1993 | 2/21/1993 | Map | Data |
| 156300 | Curtis Lake | 10007427 | Curtis Lake | 7/27/1999 | 7/29/2019 | Map | Data |
| 156300 | Curtis Lake | 10020525 | Curtis Lake Inlet | 2/21/1993 | 2/21/1993 | Map | Data |
| 156300 | Curtis Lake | 10019230 | Curtis Lake -- Access | 9/12/1995 | 11/8/2019 | Map | Data |
| 156300 | Curtis Lake | 703024 | Curtis Lake - Deepest Point | 2/24/1981 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
|
Watershed Characteristics
Curtis Lake is located in the Mecan River watershed which is 148.31 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (48.40%), agricultural (21.30%) and a mix of wetland (20.30%) and other uses (10.00%). This watershed has 166.56 stream miles, 1,837.44 lake acres and 18,622.87 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked Not Ranked 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.