Six Lake, Upper North Fork Flambeau River Watershed (UC13)
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Six Lake, Upper North Fork Flambeau River Watershed (UC13)
Six Lake (2294500)
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142.44 Acres
Natural Community
Shallow Seepage
Year Last Monitored
2017
Fair
 
This lake is impaired
Mercury Contaminated Fish Tissue
Mercury
 
Iron
Trout Water 
No
Outstanding or Exceptional 
No
Impaired Water 
Yes

Fish and Aquatic Life

Current Use
Shallow Seepage
Attainable Use
WWSF
Designated Use
Default FAL

Overview

Lake Six is a soft water seepage lake having slightly alkaline, light brown water of very low transparency. Transparency at the time of survey was restricted due to water turbidity. An intermittent outlet is found on the east shore and is tributary to Swamp Creek which is part of the North Fork of the Flambeau River drainage. An intermittent inlet is found on the south shore. Sand is the predominant littoral material (60 percent) with muck (30 percent), gravel (5 percent) and some rubble. The shoreline is predominantly upland (65 percent) with the balance being wetland of the coniferous type with meadow, bog and some shrub. Northern pike, perch, black bullhead, and minnows inhabit this lake. Largemouth bass have been present; however, their present status is questionable due to the winterkill conditions that prevail. Waterfowl use this lake during migrations and for nesting. Wood duck and grebe have been observed. Emergent and submergent vegetation is moderate in density in various parts of the lake basin while floating vegetation is sparse. There are no developments located on the shoreline. Public access with limited parking from an unimproved launching site is apparently available. The status of the present public access situation is unknown. It presently appears that there may be some agreement between the town or county with an industrial forest owner providing for access to this lake. A temperature profile taken on August 8, 1964 revealed a surface temperature of 75 degrees Fahrenheit and a bottom temperature of 73 degrees Fahrenheit. For practical purposes the lake becomes nearly homothermous. As previously mentioned, periodic winterkill is a problem.

Source:1970, Surface Water Resources of Iron County,WI:WI-DNR Lake Six, T43N, R2E, Section 6 Surface Acres = 147.4, S.D.F. = 1.29, Maximum Depth = 11 feet.

Date  1970

Author   Aquatic Biologist

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Shallow seepage lake describes the depth and location of the lake in a watershed. These variables affect the lakes response to watershed variables.
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.
Streams capable of supporting a warm waterdependent sport fishery. Representative aquatic life communities associated with these waters generally require cool or warm temperatures and concentrations of dissolved oxygen that do not drop below 5 mg/L.
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.
Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.