Lake water levels - Understanding Lake Data

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Lake levels fluctuate naturally due to precipitation which varies widely from season to season and year to year. While some lakes with stream inflows show the effect of rainfall almost immediately, others, such as seepage lakes, do not reflect changes in precipitation for months. For example, heavy autumn rains often cause water levels to rise in the winter when rain enters the lake as groundwater.

Water level fluctuations significantly affect lake water's quality. Low levels may cause stressful conditions for fish and increase the number of nuisance aquatic plants. High water levels can boost the amount of nutrients from runoff and flooded lakeshore soils. Older septic systems, located near lakes, may flood when groundwater levels are high. Yet another consequence of fluctuating water levels is shoreline erosion.

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For more information on this topic, contact:

James Vennie
Watershed Management
(608) 266-2212


Lakes Partnership | Watershed Management | Fish Wisconsin | Fisheries Management

Last Revised: Thursday January 25 2007