Is Rathbun Lake Safe for Swimming?
Rathbun Lake in Appanoose County, Iowa has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Swim with caution, moderate algae may be present. Water clarity: 3 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 48 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 15.3 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
Key Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Overall Grade | C (Fair) |
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 3 ft |
| Phosphorus | 48 μg/L |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 15.3 μg/L |
| Location | Appanoose County, Iowa |
How does Rathbun Lake compare?
With an overall water quality grade of C, Rathbun Lake matches or beats the Iowa state average of Grade D. It ranks #1 of 1 lakes in Appanoose County by water quality score.
Water clarity (Secchi depth) sits at 3 feet. That falls into moderate clarity — typical for lakes with some nutrient enrichment. Algae levels (chlorophyll-a) measure 15.3 µg/L — moderate; acceptable for swimming on most days, but worth checking advisories.
Watch Rathbun Lake water quality
Get an email when the grade, clarity, or algae reading changes. Unsubscribe anytime.