Kewaunee
No
No
Yes
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
Shea Lake is a 31-acre eutrophic seepage lake with a maximum depth of 24 feet. The lake is extremely
productive, with excessive vegetation problems due to nutrient input from nonpoint sources of water
pollution. Failing cottage septic systems are likely an additional source of nutrients. The deeper portions of the lake have low dissolved oxygen problems during stratification and the lake winterkills frequently. The fishery consists of largemouth bass, northern pike and panfish. The northern shore is buffered be extensive wetlands. Rooted aquatic plants, primarily Potamogeton sp., were abundant during a 1992 field survey. Public access on the southwest shore is provided by a county park with a picnic area, restrooms, boat launch (no motors) and parking.
Date 2002
Author Aquatic Biologist
Historical Description
Source: 1966, Surface Water Resources of Kewaunee County Shea Lake T22N, R23E, Section 31 Surface Acres = 30.0, S.D.F. = 1.28, Maximum Depth = 22 feet.
A brown water seepage lake of moderate alkalinity which drains by a channel to Engledinger Lake and eventually Jambo Creek. Northern pike, largemouth bass, bullheads, black crappies, and yellow perch constitute the fishery. Stunted panfish and excessive fertilization by agricultural runoff are considered use problems. There is public access by way of a recently acquired easement. Duck blinds were noted, attesting to some value for waterfowl. Over 240 acres of primarily wooded wetland adjoin the lake.
Date 1966
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
Impaired Waters
Shea Lake was recently evaluated during the ten-year period of 2009 through 2018 for results that were reported to the USEPA for the 2020 Clean Water Act condition report. The waterbody is considered impaired, or in poor condition for designated uses which include the quality of fish and aquatic life, recreational use, and public health and welfare (fish consumption and related). Pollutants or problems encountered during sampling (impairments) are determined based on water quality standards outlined in Wisconsin 2020 Consolidated Assessment and Listing Methodology (WisCALM). Assessment results show water conditions that are potentially harmful for Aquatic Life and Recreation uses due to values for total phosphorus and chlorophyll that fall into the range expected for an aquatic community in poor health, therefore this water is listed as impaired.
Assessment results during the 2020 listing cycle show impairment by overwhelmingly high total phosphorus levels. Chlorophyll was also assessed and found to be inappropriate for Recreation use, but may meet Aquatic Life use standards. Based on the most updated information, this water was proposed for the impaired waters list in 2020.
Date 2019
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
Recommendations
Lake Classification
Kewaunee County proposes to conduct a county-wide inventory, analysis and classification of its surface water resources with the intent to develop a comprehensive land use and resource protection plan. This grant will go to aid in the development of that plan that pertains to the Krohn's and Three Mile/Alaska Lakes and watersheds and will address ordinance concerns specific to the needs of those lake resources. A public involvement and education program will be developed and accompany project development.
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
| WBIC | Official Waterbody Name | Station ID | Station Name | Earliest Fieldwork Date | Latest Fieldwork Date | View Station | View Data |
|---|
| 85400 | Shea Lake | 10019459 | Shea Lake -- Access at Park At S End Lake | 6/27/2010 | 7/5/2024 | Map | Data |
| 85400 | Shea Lake | 10003113 | Shea Lake | 6/1/1993 | 9/19/2024 | Map | Data |
| 85400 | Shea Lake | 313029 | Sheas Lake - Deepest Area | 4/13/1976 | 8/30/2023 | Map | Data |
| 84300 | Jambo Creek | 363276 | Jambo Creek - Cth Kb | | | Map | Data |
|
Watershed Characteristics
Shea Lake is located in the East Twin River watershed which is 183.58 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (57.30%), grassland (16.50%) and a mix of wetland (14.70%) and other uses (11.50%). This watershed has 314.70 stream miles, 12,446.75 lake acres and 14,181.41 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked High 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.However, all waters are affected by diffuse pollutant sources regardless of initial water quality. Applications for specific runoff projects under state or county grant programs may be pursued. For more information, go to surface water program grants.