Richland County Lake Quality
Wisconsin, 2 lakes, average grade C (Fair)
Richland County has 2 graded lakes — a thin enough sample that one or two stressed lakes can move the county average noticeably. Use the per-lake pages below for what actually matters. The county average is C — the middle of the rubric, with one or two lakes pulling the average up or down depending on year.
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 Cruson Slough Lake (C); the most-stressed is Garner Lake (D).
Where to stay near Richland County
Top-rated places to stay near Richland County
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a trip to Richland County?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Richland County — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Quick Answers for Richland County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Cruson Slough Lake — or browse the full Wisconsin regulations index.
DNR Reports (1)
Wisconsin DNR Fisheries Survey resources for lakes in Richland County. browse all reports →
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- 2019Lee Lake comprehensive survey, 2019Comprehensive Survey · WI DNR · 2019 (PDF)
All Lakes in Richland County
2 lakes2 graded lakes
| # | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus | Algae | Trophic | Max Depth | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CCruson Slough LakeRichland | C | 7.6 ft | 28.9 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | ✓ Public |
| 2 | DGarner LakeRichland | D | 1.3 ft | 121 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | 8 ft | ✓ Public |
Lake Match
Which lake suits how you actually use one?
Six questions — swimming, fishing, quiet, cabins, drive time — and a shortlist of graded lakes that fit, with the water quality behind each one.
Other Counties in Wisconsin
See how Richland County stacks up in the national county water-quality rankings, or browse the full directory of graded lakes across all 39 states and 2 Canadian provinces.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.