Is Hemitite Lake Safe for Swimming?
Hemitite Lake in St. Francois County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of F (Very Poor). Avoid swimming, very poor water quality, potential algae toxins. Water clarity: 1.1 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 186.9 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 91.9 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
Key Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Overall Grade | F (Very Poor) |
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 1.1 ft |
| Phosphorus | 186.9 μg/L |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 91.9 μg/L |
| Location | St. Francois County, Wisconsin |
How does Hemitite Lake compare?
With an overall water quality grade of F, Hemitite Lake falls below the Wisconsin state average of Grade C. It ranks #4 of 4 lakes in St. Francois County by water quality score.
Water clarity (Secchi depth) sits at 1.1 feet. That signals heavy algae or sediment, often tied to high phosphorus from runoff. Algae levels (chlorophyll-a) measure 91.9 µg/L — elevated; risk of harmful algal bloom advisories increases at this concentration.