Is Smithville Lake Safe for Swimming?
Smithville Lake in Clay County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of D (Poor). Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk. Water clarity: 2 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 48.8 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 27.2 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
Key Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Overall Grade | D (Poor) |
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 2 ft |
| Phosphorus | 48.8 μg/L |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 27.2 μg/L |
| Location | Clay County, Wisconsin |
How does Smithville Lake compare?
With an overall water quality grade of D, Smithville Lake falls below the Wisconsin state average of Grade C. It ranks #4 of 9 lakes in Clay County by water quality score.
Water clarity (Secchi depth) sits at 2 feet. That signals heavy algae or sediment, often tied to high phosphorus from runoff. Algae levels (chlorophyll-a) measure 27.2 µg/L — elevated; risk of harmful algal bloom advisories increases at this concentration.