How Clean Is Balsam Lake?
Balsam Lake is a clean lake by Wisconsin standards. It received a water quality grade of B (Good) based on EPA monitoring data. Water clarity (Secchi depth): 13 ft. Phosphorus: 23.4 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 45.
Cleanliness Snapshot
| Metric | Balsam Lake | Wisconsin avg |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Grade | B | C |
| Water Clarity (Secchi) | 13 ft | — |
| Phosphorus | 23.4 µg/L | <30 = clean |
| Trophic State Index | 45 | <50 = clean |
How does Balsam Lake compare?
Balsam Lake's grade of B matches or beats the Wisconsin state average of C. It ranks #24 of 73 lakes in Polk County by water quality score. Multi-year monitoring data shows water quality is declining based on 6 years of records.