Nagawicka Lake, Bark River Watershed (LR13)
Return to Search
Nagawicka Lake, Bark River Watershed (LR13)
Nagawicka Lake (828000)
Go to Lakes Page
980.94 Acres
Natural Community
Two-Story
Year Last Monitored
2025
Excellent
 
Waukesha
Trout Water 
No
Outstanding or Exceptional 
No
Impaired Water 
No

Fish and Aquatic Life

Current Use
Two-Story
Attainable Use
Default FAL
Designated Use
Default FAL

Overview

Nagawicka Lake is a large mesotrophic drainage lake on the Bark River. The village of Delafield lies on the southwest edge of the lake and there is significant home and cottage development around the lake. The lake has a good Warm Water Sport Fishery and high recreational use. The lake's major issues are development pressures, lack of stormwater management, and shoreline disturbance. Nutrient and sediment loading from upstream, surrounding agricultural and urban runoff, and erosion from construction sites have affected the lake's quality. Septic systems in non-sewered areas may also be a problem, though almost the entire lake lies within a sewer service area. Applications to conduct dredging along the lake's west shore have been submitted. Recently, the city of Delafield purchased property along the lake to connect with the downtown corridor trail system. There are no lake association or Self-Help monitoring volunteers for this lake. A WDNR Lake Planning Grant could fund development of a long-term lake management plan for the lake, including determining the lake management institutional structure, such as developing a lake association, and protection strategies.

Date  2002

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

Source: 1963, Surface Water Resources of Waukesha County Nagawicka Lake T7N, R18E, Sections 8 and 17

A large deep lake occupying the valley drained by the Bark River in the interlobate moraine. The water is clear and most of the bottom is gravel. Both inlet and outlet are traversable by boat with the exception of the dam site. The fishery consists of northern pike, walleyes, large and smallmouth bass, and pan fish. Fishing success has been above average for a number of years. A major-use problem is weeds, which have required treatment nearly every year in the past decade. One county park provides excellent access for multiple use on the east shore. In addition to the lake proper there are 32 acres of water in an extensive channel system on the west shore. A summer camp of 550 capacity additionally provides for high summer use of the lake shores. A small northernmost basin is bordered by timber swamp of high aesthetic and wildlife value. In 1942, a Department evaluation Suggested a waterfowl refuge here.

Surface Acres = 957, S.D.F. = 1.98, Maximum Depth = 90 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.
Shallow headwater lake describes the depth and location of the lake in a watershed. 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.