Is Little River Lake Safe for Swimming?
Little River Lake in Decatur County, Iowa has a water quality grade of F (Algae-prone). Algae and nutrients are often high — check current advisories before swimming. Skip the water if you see scum or a paint-like bloom. Water clarity: 2.3 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 85 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 70 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
Key Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Overall Grade | F (Algae-prone) |
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 2.3 ft |
| Phosphorus | 85 μg/L |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 70 μg/L |
| Location | Decatur County, Iowa |
How does Little River Lake compare?
With an overall water quality grade of F, Little River Lake falls below the Iowa state average of Grade D. It ranks #3 of 3 lakes in Decatur 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 70 µg/L — elevated; risk of harmful algal bloom advisories increases at this concentration.
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