Washington
No
No
No
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
Silver Lake, in the East and West Branches Milwaukee River Watershed, is a 122.41 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
Source: 1963, Surface Water Resources of Washington County Silver Lake - T11N, R19E, Sec. 27, Surface Acres = 119, S.D.F. = 1.70, Maximum Depth = 45 feet.
An elongated lake occupying the last drainage line of the Lake Michigan glacier. The lake depth is attributed to the presence of ice blocks buried in the deposits left by the retreating Ice. There are no inlets; the lake is spring and seepage fed and constitutes the origin of Silver Creek. A low-head dam prevents outlet cutting and maintains the water level. The fishery consists of largemouth bass, northern pike, panfish, and walleye. For several years the lake was also managed for trout and received annual stocking; however, lack of public access necessitated the discontinuation of this practice. About 35 acres of wetland adjoin the lake at its north end. Hunting is not permitted, primarily because of extensive home site development.
Date 1963
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
General Condition
Silver Lake (WBIC 36200) was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; new total phosphorus and chlorophyll-a sample data were clearly below the 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use and the Fish and Aquatic Life use. This water was meeting these designated uses and was not considered impaired.
Date 2017
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
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
| WBIC | Official Waterbody Name | Station ID | Station Name | Earliest Fieldwork Date | Latest Fieldwork Date | View Station | View Data |
|---|
| 36200 | Silver Lake (Paradise Valley) | 10034744 | Silver Lake 30 ft from shore | 7/21/2000 | 6/10/2005 | Map | Data |
| 36200 | Silver Lake (Paradise Valley) | 673203 | Silver Lake - Deep Hole | 9/18/1980 | 2/3/2021 | Map | Data |
| 36200 | Silver Lake (Paradise Valley) | 10014865 | Silver Lake Electro | | | Map | Data |
| 36200 | Silver Lake (Paradise Valley) | 10007149 | Silver Lake | 4/8/1989 | 9/3/2019 | Map | Data |
| 36200 | Silver Lake (Paradise Valley) | 10054810 | Silver Lake - Bay Off Point Drive | 2/3/2021 | 2/3/2021 | Map | Data |
| 36200 | Silver Lake (Paradise Valley) | 673275 | Silver Lake - Near West Bend | | | Map | Data |
| 36200 | Silver Lake (Paradise Valley) | 10034743 | Silver Lake 90 ft off shore | 7/21/2000 | 6/10/2005 | Map | Data |
| 36200 | Silver Lake (Paradise Valley) | 10018037 | Silver Lake -- Landing | 6/23/2006 | 6/21/2024 | Map | Data |
|
Watershed Characteristics
Silver Lake (Paradise Valley) is located in the East and West Branches Milwaukee River watershed which is 266.00 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (35.50%), wetland (19.20%) and a mix of forest (17.90%) and other uses (27.40%). This watershed has 312.44 stream miles, 2,023.13 lake acres and 32,107.47 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.