County-level Water Classification in Wisconsin: An Assessment

Table of Contents

Lake classification is a flexible lake management tool that counties may use to organize lakes into similar groups and tailor management approaches to meet the needs of lakes within each class. The lake classification process allows counties to gather data about their lakes’ physical features (such as lake type, size, watershed area, sensitivity to pollution and other development impacts, etc.) and characteristics relating to the current pattern and intensity of development around the lakes. Waters with a similar capacity to assimilate pollutants, support development or recreational use, or other characteristics are then placed into distinct management classes.

Lake classification and associated ordinances have helped to protect the water quality, natural scenic beauty, public and economic benefits of many Wisconsin waters. There have been numerous spin-off benefits from these projects. Most of the counties have incorporated streams and rivers as well as lakes into their classification and protection efforts. Interest generated by these projects has led to greater community support for water resource protection, stimulated comprehensive land use planning efforts, and spurred interest in restoring natural vegetation in shoreland areas.