Is Cottontail Lake Safe for Swimming?
Cottontail Lake in Jackson County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of F (Very Poor). Avoid swimming, very poor water quality, potential algae toxins. Water clarity: 1.6 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 86.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 39.4 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
Key Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Overall Grade | F (Very Poor) |
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 1.6 ft |
| Phosphorus | 86.5 μg/L |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 39.4 μg/L |
| Location | Jackson County, Wisconsin |
How does Cottontail Lake compare?
With an overall water quality grade of F, Cottontail Lake falls below the Wisconsin state average of Grade C. It ranks #12 of 27 lakes in Jackson County by water quality score.
Water clarity (Secchi depth) sits at 1.6 feet. That signals heavy algae or sediment, often tied to high phosphorus from runoff. Algae levels (chlorophyll-a) measure 39.4 µg/L — elevated; risk of harmful algal bloom advisories increases at this concentration.