Why study lakes? An overview of USGS lake studies in Wisconsin

Fact Sheet 063-03
By: , and 

Links

Abstract

Wisconsin’s 15,000 lakes are prominent features in its landscape and an important public resource. In the northern part of the State, the recent glaciation (ending about 10,000 years ago) created one of the densest clusters of lakes found anywhere in the world, containing lakes that occupy depressions in the glacial moraines and outwash deposits (fig. 1). This Northern Lakes and Forests Ecoregion contains more than 80 percent of the State’s lakes (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 2001). South of this ecoregion, there are fewer lakes, but they still are common. Usually situated in agricultural or urban land- scapes, lakes in southern Wisconsin generally have higher levels of nutrients and alkalinity, and higher biological productivity than their northern counterparts. For most lakes in Wisconsin, phosphorus is the nutrient that limits algal growth (Lillie and Mason, 1983).

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Why study lakes? An overview of USGS lake studies in Wisconsin
Series title Fact Sheet
Series number 063-03
DOI 10.3133/fs06303
Year Published 2003
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Contributing office(s) Wisconsin Water Science Center
Description 8 p.
Country United States
State Wisconsin
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details