Is Shepard Mountain Lake Intake Safe for Swimming?
Shepard Mountain Lake Intake in Iron County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of D (Poor). Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk. Water clarity: 2.8 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 37 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 18.3 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
Key Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Overall Grade | D (Poor) |
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 2.8 ft |
| Phosphorus | 37 μg/L |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 18.3 μg/L |
| Location | Iron County, Wisconsin |
How does Shepard Mountain Lake Intake compare?
With an overall water quality grade of D, Shepard Mountain Lake Intake falls below the Wisconsin state average of Grade C. It ranks #2 of 2 lakes in Iron County by water quality score.
Water clarity (Secchi depth) sits at 2.8 feet. That signals heavy algae or sediment, often tied to high phosphorus from runoff. Algae levels (chlorophyll-a) measure 18.3 µg/L — moderate; acceptable for swimming on most days, but worth checking advisories.