Wallace Lake, North Branch Milwaukee River Watershed (MI05)
Wallace Lake, North Branch Milwaukee River Watershed (MI05)
Wallace Lake (28300)
54.20 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 Headwater
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
Fair
 
Washington
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 Headwater
Deep headwater lake describes the depth and location of the lake in a watershed. 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

Wallace Lake, in the North Branch Milwaukee River Watershed, is a 54.20 acre lake that falls in Washington County. This lake is managed for fishing and swimming and is currently not considered impaired.

Date  2011

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

Water Resources. The Wallace Lake Subwatershed contains Wallace Lake, Lake Lenwood (Beinke) and a short reach
of stream connecting the two lakes. Wallace Lake is a 50-acre kettle lake with a maximum depth of 35 feet. A screen
outlet structure is present. Nearly all of the shoreline has been developed as year-round homes. Public access is
available with limited parking. Lenwood Lake is also a kettle lake with a surface area of 14 acres and maximum depth
of 35 feet. Outflow of Lenwood Lake flows to Wallace Lake. Water level is maintained by an outlet control
structure.

Up until 1985-86, malfunctioning septic systems were contributing to lake eutrophication and unhealthy condltiona En
Wallace Lake. The lake has since been sewered, the wastewater being treated at West Bend. Btimated phmp
loading to Wallace Lake is less than that calculated to be "excessive" but higher than that considered ''a~ept;ible~''

Wallace Lake experiences summertime algal blooms that occasionally become a nuisance.

Wallace Lake supports full-body contact recreation.

There is no public access to Lake Lenwood and no other fish or water quality information is currently available.
No toxic screening has been conducted on streams in this drainage system.
Fisheries. Wallace Lake currently supports a warm-water sport fishery, dominated by largemouth bass and bluegil
However, overharvest of bass has lead to a poor fishery on this species and stunted panfish population.
habitat quality are generally good and will likely benefit from recent sewer extensions to riparian homes. The primary
habitat concern is the protection and wise management of the natural aquatic vegetation which is currently threatened
by the expansion of the introduced Eurasian watermilfoil. Overly dense stands of a single species of vegetation provide
poor fish habitat.

Date  1990

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Historical Description

Source: 1963, Surface Water Resources of Washington County Wallace lake T11N, R20E, Sec. 6, Surface Acres = 50, S.D.F. = 1.72, Maximum Depth 35 feet.

A small, kettle lake in the terminal moraine of the Lake Michigan glacier. The lake has a small inlet from Lenwood Lake, but is primarily spring fed, and drains into a small stream tributary to the Milwaukee River. A screened concrete structure was placed on the outlet in 1959 to prevent interchange of fishes between the lake and stream. Present management centers on trout. Previously this was a largemouth bass, panfish, northern pike lake. Public access is provided by a town road ending at the lake; however, parking is inadequate. Nearly complete development of the shore for home sites detracts from any possible value for waterfowl and hunting.

Date  1963

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Wallace Lake, North Branch Milwaukee River Watershed (MI05) Fish and Aquatic LifeWallace Lake, North Branch Milwaukee River Watershed (MI05) RecreationWallace Lake, North Branch Milwaukee River Watershed (MI05) Fish Consumption

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

Lake Classification
Phase 3 of Lake Classification Project. Public Hearing and Ordinance revision adoption for the lakes in Washington County. Dissemination of proposed ordinance changes to the other local units of government. Enforcement of revised zoning provisions related to shorelands, wetlands, and floodlands through current channels. Information to public of changes in Washington County codes by meetings, publicity, pamphlets, and brochures.
Lake Classification
Through this project Washington County will develop a waterbody classification system; review and revise shoreland-wetland and floodplain ordinances; and refine the ordinance provisions governing shorelands, wetlands and floodlands, incorporating the waterbody classification into them.

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

Wallace Lake is located in the North Branch Milwaukee River watershed which is 149.67 miĀ². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (45.40%), grassland (20.30%) and a mix of wetland (15.50%) and other uses (18.80%). This watershed has 159.81 stream miles, 886.38 lake acres and 13,793.69 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked High for runoff impacts on streams, High 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

Wallace Lake is considered a Deep Headwater 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 headwater lake describes the depth and location of the lake in a watershed. These variables affect the lakes response to watershed variables.