Loon Lake, Shawano Lake Watershed (WR15)
Loon Lake, Shawano Lake Watershed (WR15)
Loon Lake (323800)
326.57 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.
Shallow Lowland
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
Excellent
 
Shawano
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.
Shallow Lowland
Shallow lowland 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

Loon Lake, located in Wescott Township of Shawano County, has a surface area of 305 acres and a maximum depth of 22 feet (see attached map). This fertile, dark-water lake is fed by groundwater seepage and by two inlets: Lulu Creek and Loon Creek. Loon Lake’s 8,465-acre watershed is predominantly upland forest and swamp. Loon Lake is drained by one outlet, Loon Creek, which flows into Washington Lake, then Shawano Lake, which ultimately drains to the Wolf River. The east side of Loon Lake is upland and is developed with cottages. The west side of the lake is predominantly wetland and remains in a natural state. A public boat landing equipped with a wheelchair-accessible pier is located on the south end of the lake.

Date  2010

Author   Loon Lake Property Owners Association

Overview

Update to Comprehensive Management Plan
The Loon Lake - Wescott Management District continues to operate under the 2003 Comprehensive Management Plan for (on file with DNR). Based on DNR (see attached letter from Kathy Dax) and USACoE input, the Comprehensive Management Plan has been tentativelyscheduled to be updated after the USACoE completes its resear ch. The update of this plan is
expected to take place within the timeframe of this grant (2009-2011). In addition, the DNR Bureau of Research conducted a thorough point-intercept aquatic plant survey in 2006, 2007 and 2008.

Components of the updated plan will include analysis of annual survey data, comparisons with previous plant survey data, and review of results from the research conducted by the USACoE. Other elements will include a review of recent lake management practices, as well as collection and review of water quality data. The plan will also include a discussion of plant management
options and recommendations for future management of Loon Lake.
Project Products, Deliverables & Data Sharing In addition to the eventual updated management plan, deliverables will include annual progress
reports to the DNR, Shawano County, and USACoE following each field season. The reports will present a summary of educational and control activities, survey results, and recommendations for the following season. Data generated during this project will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of management efforts and to determine the best course of action for
future management of Loon Lake. We view this as a demonstration project; the management district will be pleased to participate in data sharing arrangements that DNR may establish in coming years in order to assist other communities with their efforts to control AIS.

Date  2010

Author   Loon Lake Property Owners Association

Historical Description

Source: 1968, Surface Water Resources of Shawano County

Loon Lake, T27N, R16E, Section 11
Surface Acres = 276.6, S.D.F. = 1.50, Maximum Depth = 23 feet

A medium hard water drainage lake having slightly alkaline,
light brown water of low transparency. Littoral materials consist
of sand (55 percent), muck (35 percent) and some gravel. The
shoreline is predominantly upland (60 percent); however, a
significant portion is wetland consisting of marsh, conifers, shrub
and some bog. Fish species found in this lake are northern pike,
largemouth bass, perch, bluegill, black crappie, rock bass,
pumpkinseed, black bullhead, white sucker, longnose gar, and
bowfin. On occasion walleye and brook trout have been reported
present. Brook trout undoubtedly make entry from the inlet stream,
Loon Creek, which is managed for trout. The lake is of value to
nesting waterfowl. Puddle ducks and diving ducks utilize these
waters on their spring and fall migrations. Public access without
nearby parking from the end of a town road is available as well as
that of navigable water via the outlet stream (Loon Creek) which is
tributary to Washington and Shawano Lakes. Commercial facilities
consist of four resorts and one boat rental. There are 96
dwellings and one organizational camp (girl's) located on the
shoreline.

Date  1968

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Loon Lake, Shawano Lake Watershed (WR15) Fish and Aquatic LifeLoon Lake, Shawano Lake Watershed (WR15) RecreationLoon Lake, Shawano Lake Watershed (WR15) Fish Consumption

General Condition

Loon Lake (323800) 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

Land Acquisition
The Loon Lake Wescott Management District proposes to purchase 32.1 acres of vacantland with approximately 1/4 mile of frontage on Loon Lake. The Management District will keep it in its naturally landscaped state for conservancy purposes.
Land Acquisition
The Loon Lake Wescott Management District will acquire 89.25 acres of primarily lowland with approximately 1/2 mile of frontage on Loon Lake. The district will maintain the land in a wild and natural condition to protect the water quality of Loon Lake.

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

Loon Lake is located in the Shawano Lake watershed which is 71.16 miĀ². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (28.60%), agricultural (22%) and a mix of wetland (19.50%) and other uses (29.90%). This watershed has 76.28 stream miles, 7,438.74 lake acres and 7,573.91 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Not Ranked 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

Loon Lake is considered a Shallow Lowland 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.

Shallow lowland lake describes the depth and location of the lake in a watershed. These variables affect the lakes response to watershed variables.