Overview

This is the largest lake in Kenosha County and receives its drainage from Marie Lake. Part of it is in Illinois where a control structure maintains a 1.0 ft. head. Much of the shoreline is developed with 145 homes. Marsh areas on the southern end and in the northwest corner possess the only remaining wild frontage and this is being encroached upon by developments. Various species of waterfowl frequent the marsh areas during the nesting season and are common during spring and fall migratory flights. Marsh furbearers such as mink, muskrat, and raccoon are common and frequently trapped during the open season. Upland game common to the watershed includes cottontail rabbits, squirrels, foxes, pheasants, and deer. The fishery contains northern pike, walleyes, largemouth bass, and assorted panfish including crappies, bluegills, pumpkinseed sunfish, yellow perch, and bullheads. The usual rough fish and minnow species such as white suckers, carp, fathead minnow, and golden shiners are also common. Ice fishing for large bluegills in the southern end of the lake has been especially productive in recent years. Developed water access is restricted to 4 private resorts and 4 boat rentals. There are a number of undeveloped public road ends for public access; however, they are considered inadequate by DNR standards for a lake of this size.

Source: 1982, Surface Water Resources of Kenosha County Lake Elizabeth, (South Twin) TlN, R19E, Section 28, 29, 32, 33 Surface Acres = 638, Maximum Depth = 32 ft, Secchi disc = 5 ft.

Date  1982

Author   Aquatic Biologist

General Condition

Elizabeth Lake (742800) 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

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

Elizabeth Lake is located in the White River and Nippersink Creek watershed which is 168.35 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (44.80%), forest (14.40%) and a mix of wetland (11.30%) and other uses (29.50%). This watershed has 239.00 stream miles, 8,603.24 lake acres and 10,838.84 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked High for runoff impacts on streams, Medium 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.This water is ranked High Lake for individual Lakes based on runoff problems and the likelihood of success from project implementation.