Horseshoe Lake, Pigeon River Watershed (SH06)
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Horseshoe Lake, Pigeon River Watershed (SH06)
Horseshoe Lake (64200)
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20.56 Acres
Natural Community
Two-Story
Year Last Monitored
2024
Poor
 
This lake is impaired
Impairment Unknown
Total Phosphorus
 
Manitowoc
Trout Water 
No
Outstanding or Exceptional 
No
Impaired Water 
Yes

Fish and Aquatic Life

Current Use
Restricted Aquatic Life
Attainable Use
Default FAL
Designated Use
Default FAL

Overview

HORSESHOE LAKE
T17N, R22E, Section 20; Manitowoc County
Surface Acres = 22, S.D.F. = 2.08, Maximum Depth = 54 feet

Horseshoe Lake is a small, hard water drainage lake with spring sources in terminal moraine. The lake surface area is approximately 22 acres with a maximum depth of 54 feet, an average depth of 25 feet and a lake volume of 550 acre feet. The lake is located in an 847-acre direct drainage basin. The dominant land uses within the Horseshoe Lake subwatershed are agriculture and forest (Olson and Helsel 1997). The fish community in Horseshoe lake is primarily largemouth bass and panfish. Access is available via a public park (WDNR 1968).

Horseshoe Lake is classified as a mesotrophic lake with relatively low nutrient and chlorophyll a concentrations and good water clarity. The 1996 spring total phosphorus was 40 ug/L with surface summer phosphorus concentrations ranging from 11 ug/L to 16 ug/L. TSI values typically range between 35 and 50 (Figure 27).
Water Resource Objectives and Management Recommendations

The water resource objectives and management recommendations for Horseshoe Lake reduce phosphorus loading overall 62% from existing conditions (114 lbs/yr) to best managed conditions (43 lbs/yr) (Olson and Helsel 1997). Specific best management practices should target lake protection and nutrient sources from agricultural land.

Date  2001

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

Source: 1968, Surface Water Resources of Manitowoc County Horseshoe Lake, T17N, R22E, Section 20 Surface acres - 19.0, S.D.F. = 2.08, Maximum depth = 54 feet.

A small, hard water drainage lake with spring sources in terminal moraine 3 miles west of Spring Valley. The lake has clear water and a muck bottom. A navigable connection from West Lake enters the lake at the northwest corner. An intermittent stream at the south end partially drains the lake during periods of high water. Algae blooms have caused occasional problems in the past. It is managed for largemouth bass and panfish; rainbow trout have been stocked. No motors are permitted on the lake. There are 13 dwellings on the shoreline. A public park of 5.6 acres with over 1,000 feet of frontage provides access to the lake. Mallards and blue-wing teal nest here during favorable years, and a small number of migrating waterfowl visit in the fall. Hunting is permitted. There is no adjoining wetland.

Date  1968

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

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.
Fish and Aquatic Life communities are not fully supported in this ecosystem.
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.
Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.
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.