Richland County Lake Quality
Wisconsin, 3 lakes, average grade D (Poor)
Only 3 lakes in Richland 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, Richland County lakes grade D, with phosphorus loading and reduced clarity showing up across most of the dataset.
Most of the county's monitored lakes are shallow — under 50 feet — which means wind keeps the water column mixed all summer and sediment-bound phosphorus releases back into the surface layer whenever the bottom is disturbed. Olney East Fork Lake (C) is the cleanest in the county.
Quick Answers for Richland County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Olney East Fork Lake, whether the fish are safe to eat, and the best times to fish — or browse the full Wisconsin regulations index.
All Lakes in Richland County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Max Depth | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Olney East Fork Lake | C | 3.2 ft | - | 25.5 µg/L |
| 2 | Vernor Lake | D | 4.8 ft | - | 96.5 µg/L |
| 3 | Borah Lake | F | 2.2 ft | - | 131 µg/L |
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.