Is Big Cedar Lake-South Site-Near West Bend Polluted?
Yes — Big Cedar Lake-South Site-Near West Bend in Washington County, Wisconsin is on the EPA's Clean Water Act 303(d) impaired-waters list (2024 assessment cycle). It is cited for Cause unknown. No cleanup plan (TMDL) has been completed yet. "Impaired" is a legal designation, separate from the lake's A–F water-quality grade: it means at least one designated use (such as swimming, aquatic life, or fish consumption) does not meet state standards for the listed pollutant.
EPA 303(d) Listing
| On 303(d) impaired list | Yes |
| Cleanup plan (TMDL) | Not yet written |
| Assessment cycle | 2024 |
| EPA IR category | 5 |
| Location | Washington County, Wisconsin |
Pollutants Cited
- Cause unknown — listed by EPA as exceeding water-quality standards for at least one designated use.
Specific parameters in the EPA record: CAUSE UNKNOWN.
What this means for using Big Cedar Lake-South Site-Near West Bend
Review the EPA assessment and any state advisories before relying on Big Cedar Lake-South Site-Near West Bend for swimming, fishing, or other uses. An impairment listing does not mean the lake is closed — most impaired lakes remain open for boating and swimming. It means a specific pollutant exceeds a standard for a specific use. Big Cedar Lake-South Site-Near West Bend carries an overall water-quality grade of A and phosphorus at 15 µg/L — see the full breakdown on the lake report. The official EPA assessment is available in the ATTAINS waterbody report.