Is Lake Mendota Safe for Swimming?
Lake Mendota in Dane County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of B (Good). Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels. Water clarity: 18 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 50.2 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
Key Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Overall Grade | B (Good) |
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 18 ft |
| Phosphorus | 50.2 μg/L |
| Maximum Depth | 83 ft |
| Location | Dane County, Wisconsin |
How does Lake Mendota compare?
With an overall water quality grade of B, Lake Mendota matches or beats the Wisconsin state average of Grade B. It ranks #3 of 23 lakes in Dane County by water quality score.
Water clarity (Secchi depth) sits at 18 feet. That counts as exceptional clarity — sunlight penetrates deep, supporting submerged plants and limiting algae.