Table 1 shows how much the water surface area per developed shoreline lot would vary from lake to lake, if we assume that all the lakes could be fully developed at the state minimum standard of 100 feet per lot at the waterline. The Classification Scheme Resource classification schemes range from very simple sortings into several groups based on one or two distinctive characteristics to highly complex divisions derived from interrelating many variables. In the case of lakes resources, an extremely simple sort is often suggested in the names of the lakes - Clear Lake vs. Mud Lake, Bass or Trout Lakes, Big Spider Lake vs. Little Spider Lake, etc. Limnologists, on the other hand, spend much of their time studying all facets of inland waters and classifying them into numerous categories based on lake genesis, geography, and trophic status. The Nature of the Resource.
Lakes are complex and dynamic systems with highly individual characteristics.
They are also systems that interrelate intensively with other ecosystems such as land, air, wildlife, and fisheries. Much information exists and can be utilized in classification schemes ranging from the simple to the complex. In Wisconsin, for instance, at least three valuable sources are readily employable for local projects. One source is the Surface Water Resources report, prepared by the Department of Natural Resources, which exists for each county. It contains statistical tables with more than 20 different types of information on each lake in the jurisdiction.