Is Lake Sugema Safe for Swimming?
Lake Sugema in Van Buren County, Iowa has a water quality grade of F (Very Poor). Avoid swimming, very poor water quality, potential algae toxins. Water clarity: 2.3 ft visibility. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 32.5 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
Key Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Overall Grade | F (Very Poor) |
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 2.3 ft |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 32.5 μg/L |
| Location | Van Buren County, Iowa |
How does Lake Sugema compare?
With an overall water quality grade of F, Lake Sugema falls below the Iowa state average of Grade D. It ranks #3 of 3 lakes in Van Buren County by water quality score.
Water clarity (Secchi depth) sits at 2.3 feet. That signals heavy algae or sediment, often tied to high phosphorus from runoff. Algae levels (chlorophyll-a) measure 32.5 µg/L — elevated; risk of harmful algal bloom advisories increases at this concentration.