Definition

General natural community overview

Lakes that are Large (>10 acres), Deep (> 18 feet), Hard (alkalinity > 50 ppm), and Drainage (both an inlet and outlet, and the main water source is from streams).

Muskgrasses (Chara spp.) are well-adapted to live in hard water drainage lakes and can often be found growing in dense mats along the lake bottom. These macroalgae play a valuable role in the lake's ecological community by preventing sediment re-suspension and helping to maintain clear water. Other common members of the submergent community at these lakes include cosmopolitan species such as coon-tail (Ceratophyllum demersum), common waterweed (Elodea canadensis), naiads (Najas spp.) and water celery (Vallisneria americana). Floating lilies (Nymphaea odorata and Nuphar variegata) are also common. Associated fish species vary depending on water depth and hydrology.

Rare animals

Species of Greatest Conservation Need

The following Species of Greatest Conservation Need are listed according to their level of association with the Lake--Deep, Hard, Drainage natural community type, based on the findings in Wisconsin's 2015 Wildlife Action Plan.

Scores: 3 = high association, 2 = moderate association, and 1 = low association. See the key to association scores for complete definitions.

Please see Section 2. Approach and Methods of the Wildlife Action Plan to learn how this information was developed.

Rare plants

The Natural Heritage Inventory has developed scores indicating the degree to which each of Wisconsin's rare plant species is associated with a particular natural community or ecological landscape. This information is similar to that found in the Wildlife Action Plan for animals. As this is a work in progress, we welcome your suggestions and feedback.

Landscapes

The following Ecological Landscapes have the best opportunities to manage for Lake--Deep, Hard, Drainage, based on the Ecological Landscapes of Wisconsin Handbook.

Major (3 on map)
A major opportunity for sustaining the natural community in the Ecological Landscape exists, either because many significant occurrences of the natural community have been recorded in the landscape or major restoration activities are likely to be successful maintaining the community's composition, structure, and ecological function over a longer period of time.

Important (2 on map)
Although the natural community does not occur extensively or commonly in the Ecological Landscape, one to several occurrences do occur and are important in sustaining the community in the state. In some cases, important opportunities may exist because the natural community may be restricted to just one or a few Ecological Landscapes within the state and there may be a lack of opportunities elsewhere.

Present (1 on map)
The natural community occurs in the Ecological Landscape, but better management opportunities appear to exist in other parts of the state.

Threats/Actions

What are conservation actions?

Conservation actions respond to issues or threats, which adversely affect species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) or their habitats. Besides actions such as restoring wetlands or planting resilient tree species in northern communities, research, surveys and monitoring are also among conservation actions described in the WWAP because lack of information can threaten our ability to successfully preserve and care for natural resources.

Threats/issues and conservations actions for natural communities

Photos

Click to view a larger version. Please considering donating your photos to the Natural Heritage Conservation Program for educational uses. Photo use

Lake--Deep, Hard, Drainage Photos

Note: photos are provided to illustrate various examples of natural community types. A single photograph cannot represent the range of variability inherent in a given community type. Some of these photos explicitly illustrate unusual and distinctive community variants. The community photo galleries are a work in progress that we will expand and improve in the future.