Silver Lake, Oconomowoc River Watershed (UR09)
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Silver Lake, Oconomowoc River Watershed (UR09)
Silver Lake (779800)
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217.07 Acres
Natural Community
Deep Seepage
Year Last Monitored
2025
Excellent
 
Waukesha
Trout Water 
No
Outstanding or Exceptional 
No
Impaired Water 
No

Fish and Aquatic Life

Current Use
Deep Seepage
Attainable Use
Default FAL
Designated Use
Default FAL

Overview

Silver Lake is a smaller lake (222 acres) with a maximum depth of 44 feet. The lake is a small landlocked basin partly in terminal moraine, partly in outwash deposits. At its original level, the lake discharged to the Oconomowoc River. The water is clear and much of the shore bottom is sandy. Largemouth bass and panfish constitute the fishery. Walleyes are stocked. Carp are present, but are not a problem. WDNR recently acquired public access by purchasing a restaurant parking site adjacent to the lake. Public access has been developed and is open. A Boy Scout camp occupies some shoreline and accommodates up to 400 boys each summer week. A shallow marsh adjoins the west shore and offers some incentive for waterfowl to nest here. In 1943, a waterfowl refuge was suggested for this area.

The lake association has been fairly active in lake management. Some of the issues addressed in the last five years include construction activities associated with a sanitary sewer extension, low water levels, zoning issues associated with an industrial park in the watershed, water quality and public access.

In 1992, the Town of Summit received a Wisconsin Lake Management Planning Grant and hired the U.S Geological Survey to monitor the water quality between 1992 and 1996. In addition, a land use inventory and a sensitive area assessment are to be conducted in the watershed to identify areas that should be protected from development. WDNR has acquired a public access site on the north shore of the lake.

Zebra mussel larvae have been identified in the watershed by a representative of the UW Sea Grant Institute. No larvae or adults have been found in Silver Lake (1994).

Date  2002

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

A small landlocked basin partly in terminal moraine, partly in outwash deposits. At its original level the lake discharged to the Oconomowoc River. The water is clear and much of the shore bottom is sandy. Largemouth bass and pan fish constitute the fishery. Carp are present but not in problem proportions. Public access without parking is provided by a road contiguous with the shore. A Boy Scout camp occupies some shore line and accommodates up to 400 boys each summer week. A large beach resort has counted nearly 1,500 swimmers per week end during midsummer. Shallow marsh adjoins the west shore offering some incentive for waterfowl to nest here. In 1943, a waterfowl refuge was suggested for this area. Source: 1963, Surface Water Resources of Waukesha County Silver Lake T7N, R17E, Sections 9 and 16 Surface Acres = 222, S.D.F., 1.29, Maximum Depth = 44 feet

Date  1963

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.
Deep seepage lake describes the depth and hydrologic charactertistics of the lake. These variables affect the lakes response to watershed variables.
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.