Watershed - Shawano Lake (WR15)
Shawano Lake Watershed

Details

The Shawano Lake Watershed covers 62 square miles in Shawano and Menominee Counties. A majority of the planning area is contained within this watershed with the 6,178-acre Shawano Lake as the main water resource. Shawano Lake is a hardwater drainage lake up to 40 feet deep and is an important year round recreational waterbody. This lake experiences excessive weed growth during July and August, which is likely associated with non-point source pollution (i.e., phosphorus from lawn fertilizers, etc.). Other small lakes included in this watershed are Loon Lake, Washington Lake, Lulu Lake, White Clay Lake and Lily Lake. Rivers and streams associated with this subwatershed include the Shawano Lake Outlet, Duchess Creek, Loon Creek, and Murray Creek. This watershed has been ranked as being a high priority for selection as a Priority Watershed Project.

Date  2001

Population, Land Use

The landscape in the watershed is covered by a relatively balanced mix of forests (30%), agriculture (29%), open water (16%), and wetlands (15%). Additionally, within the 71.2 square mile watershed, there are 76 miles of streams, 6,948 acres of wetlands, and 7,528 total lake acres. Municipalities in the watershed include the City of Shawano (partial) and the Village of Cecil. Cecil is the only point source discharger in the watershed.

Date  2010

Nonpoint and Point Sources

The watershed, which had been predominantly wooded, has been partially developed by the Shawano Industrial Park. This has caused problems with nonpoint pollution in the headwaters from street and parking lot runoff. The southern and east­ern portions of the watershed are primarily agricultural (accounting for approximately 10% of the watershed) and runoff from this area can have a negative impact on the water quality of the lakes. Municipalities in the watershed include the City of Shawano (partial) and the Village of Cecil. Cecil is the only point source discharger in the watershed.

Date  2010