Is Lac Courte Oreilles Lake Safe for Swimming?
Lac Courte Oreilles Lake in Sawyer County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of A (Excellent). Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae. Water clarity: 38.7 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 16 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 1.4 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
Key Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Overall Grade | A (Excellent) |
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 38.7 ft |
| Phosphorus | 16 μg/L |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 1.4 μg/L |
| Maximum Depth | 90 ft |
| Location | Sawyer County, Wisconsin |
How does Lac Courte Oreilles Lake compare?
With an overall water quality grade of A, Lac Courte Oreilles Lake matches or beats the Wisconsin state average of Grade B. It ranks #1 of 52 lakes in Sawyer County by water quality score.
Water clarity (Secchi depth) sits at 38.7 feet. That counts as exceptional clarity — sunlight penetrates deep, supporting submerged plants and limiting algae. Algae levels (chlorophyll-a) measure 1.4 µg/L — low and well within safe swimming guidelines.