Is Lake Macbride Safe for Swimming?
Lake Macbride in Johnson County, Iowa has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Nutrients and algae run higher than average — check local advisories before swimming, and skip the water if you see scum. Water clarity: 2.9 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 59 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 28.5 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
Key Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Overall Grade | D (Nutrient-rich) |
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 2.9 ft |
| Phosphorus | 59 μg/L |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 28.5 μg/L |
| Location | Johnson County, Iowa |
How does Lake Macbride compare?
With an overall water quality grade of D, Lake Macbride matches or beats the Iowa state average of Grade D. It ranks #2 of 3 lakes in Johnson County by water quality score.
Water clarity (Secchi depth) sits at 2.9 feet. That signals heavy algae or sediment, often tied to high phosphorus from runoff. Algae levels (chlorophyll-a) measure 28.5 µg/L — elevated; risk of harmful algal bloom advisories increases at this concentration.
Watch Lake Macbride water quality
Get an email when the grade, clarity, or algae reading changes. Unsubscribe anytime.