Phantom Lake, Mukwonago River Watershed (FX06)
Return to Search
Phantom Lake, Mukwonago River Watershed (FX06)
Phantom Lake (766000)
Go to Lakes Page
110.24 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 Seepage
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.
2017
Good
 
This lake is impaired
Impairment Unknown
Total Phosphorus
 
Waukesha
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.
Yes

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 Seepage
Deep seepage lake describes the depth and hydrologic charactertistics of the lake. 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

Upper Phantom Lake is a small irregular lake in outwash deposits augmented in acreage by a dam with about an 8-foot head on the outlet to Lower Phantom Lake. A church camp and a YMCA camp occupy parts of the shore line. The fishery consists of pan fish, northern pike and largemouth bass. In 1961, algae, weed, and snail control was necessitated on the beaches. Access is available for boat launching, however, parking is prohibited. There are no adjoining wetlands of consequence.

Source: 1963, Surface Water Resources of Waukesha County Upper Phantom Lake T5N, R18E, Section 35 Surface Acres = 111 S.D.F. = 1.42, Maximum Depth = 29 feet.

Date  1963

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Phantom Lake, Mukwonago River Watershed (FX06) Fish and Aquatic LifePhantom Lake, Mukwonago River Watershed (FX06) RecreationPhantom Lake, Mukwonago River Watershed (FX06) Fish Consumption

Impaired Waters

Phantom Lake (WBIC 766000) was placed on the impaired waters list for total phosphorus in 2016. This lake was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; new chlorophyll-a sample data were clearly below the 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use and the Fish and Aquatic Life use. Total phosphorus sample data nearly exceeded the listing thresholds. Based on the most updated information, no change in existing impaired waters listing was needed.

Date  2017

Author  Ashley Beranek

Impaired Waters

This water was assessed during the 2016 listing cycle; total phosphorus sample data exceed 2016 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Recreation use, however, chlorophyll data do not exceed REC thresholds. Total phosphorus and chlorophyll data do not exceed Fish and Aquatic Life thresholds.

Date  2015

Author  Aaron Larson

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

2020 Comprehensive WQ Assessments
Final Draft 2018 Impaired Waters List
Final Assessment Data from TSI Package and Assessment Units 2018
Comprehensive 2018 Lake/Impoundment Water Quality Assessments
Comprehensive 2016 Lake Reservoir Assessments
Mukwonago Watershed Plan 2011 (FX06)
Phantom Lake Upper 766000 Chla PkgRpt2012
Phantom Lake Upper 766000 TP PkgRpt2012
Phantom Lake, Upper, Waukesha County - Aquatic Plant Sampling Map (40 mpts)
A Lake Management Plan for Phantom Lakes - Waukesha County, Wisconsin - Volume Two - Alternatives and Recommended Plan
A Lake Management Plan for the Phantom Lakes - Waukesha County, Wisconsin - Volume One - Inventory Findings
Phantom Lake, Upper, Waukesha County - Garmin Text File
An Aquatic Plant Management Plan for Phantom Lakes, Waukesha County, Wisconsin
Lake Bathymetry Map for Phantom Lake, Upper

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

Project Name (Click for Details)Year Started
PHANTOM LAKE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT: Phantom Lake Management Plan-Phase 12001
PHANTOM LAKE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT: Phantom Lakes Aquatic Plant Management Plan Update2017
PHANTOM LAKE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT: Phantom Lakes Plant Surveys and APM Plan2011
PHANTOM LAKE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT: Upper & Lower Phantom Lakes Planning Program2001

Monitoring Projects

WBICOfficial Waterbody NameStation IDStation NameEarliest Fieldwork DateLatest Fieldwork DateView StationView Data
766000Phantom Lake684009Lower Phantom Lake - Lower Phantom LakeMapData
766000Phantom Lake684010Upper Phantom Lake - Upper Phantom LakeMapData
766000Phantom Lake683259Upper Phantom Lake - Deep Hole9/5/197910/20/2017MapData
766000Phantom Lake10034422Upper Phantom Lake - Deepest Spot9/5/20007/4/2017MapData
766000Phantom Lake10007189Upper Phantom Lake6/1/19979/15/2017MapData

Watershed Characteristics

Phantom Lake is located in the Mukwonago River watershed which is 86.21 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (28.40%), agricultural (22.80%) and a mix of suburban (16.90%) and other uses (31.90%). This watershed has 63.38 stream miles, 2,340.41 lake acres and 4,822.44 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

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

Natural Community

Phantom Lake is considered a Deep Seepage 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 seepage lake describes the depth and hydrologic charactertistics of the lake. These variables affect the lakes response to watershed variables.