Buena Vista County Lake Quality
Iowa, 3 lakes, average grade D (Poor)
Only 3 lakes in Buena Vista County carry an active grade. The county-level summary is therefore representative of those specific lakes, not necessarily of every water body in the county. On average, Buena Vista County lakes grade D, with phosphorus loading and reduced clarity showing up across most of the dataset.
The county's lakes lean shallow, which makes the grades sensitive to wind, sediment-resuspension, and any nutrient inputs from the watershed. The cleanest lake on the books is Newell Pit Lake (C); the most-stressed is Gustafson Lake (D).
Quick Answers for Buena Vista County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Newell Pit Lake — or check the official Iowa fishing regulations.
All Lakes in Buena Vista County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newell Pit Lake | C | 4.1 ft | - |
| 2 | Storm Lake Max Depth | D | 1.7 ft | - |
| 3 | Gustafson Lake | D | 2.3 ft | - |
Other Counties in Iowa
See how Buena Vista County stacks up in the national county water-quality rankings, or browse the full directory of graded lakes across all 15 states.
Where to stay near Buena Vista County
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.