Is Houston Lake Safe for Swimming?
Houston Lake in Platte 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: 176 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 35.8 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 | 176 μg/L |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 35.8 μg/L |
| Location | Platte County, Wisconsin |
How does Houston Lake compare?
With an overall water quality grade of F, Houston Lake falls below the Wisconsin state average of Grade C. It ranks #3 of 3 lakes in Platte 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 35.8 µg/L — elevated; risk of harmful algal bloom advisories increases at this concentration.