Arbor Lake Max Depth
Poweshiek County, IowaView mapDirections
Nutrients and algae run well above the regional average.
- Hypereutrophic
- Impaired · Algal growth
- #2 of 2 in the county
Arbor Lake Max Depth in Poweshiek County, Iowa has a water quality grade of F (Algae-prone). Water clarity: 1.3 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 107 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 52.4 µg/L.
- Clarity
- 1.3 ft
- Typical in September
- 67°F
- Type
- Hypereutrophic
- Trend
- → Stable
Stays via Stay22
Stays near Arbor Lake Max Depth
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Arbor Lake Max Depth in Poweshiek County, Iowa — live availability and prices for your trip. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water. The water-quality grade measures nutrients and algae, not lodging — cabins and rentals around Arbor Lake Max Depth are listed below.
Top-rated places to stay near Arbor Lake Max Depth
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Free interactive depth-contour map of Arbor Lake Max Depth, reaching a maximum surveyed depth of 18 ft. Toggle Depth contours to overlay the bathymetric survey lines. Contour data from Iowa DNR.
Arbor Lake Max Depth is a highly nutrient-loaded hypereutrophic lake in Poweshiek County, Iowa. Water quality is graded F based on 2 sampling years through 2024. Phosphorus level is improving over recent sampling years. Compared to the 1 other monitored lakes in Poweshiek County, Arbor Lake Max Depth ranks #2 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Iowa DNR, last sampled 2024-08-25. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
Swimming Safety
Grade onlyAlgae risk
Based on clarity and algae grades from past sampling — we do not hold live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
The F is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Arbor Lake Max Depth is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 4A) for algal growth, sediment / turbidity. Check local advisories before you swim.
Water Quality Grade: F (Algae-prone)
Very murky, less than 1.3 ft of visibility. Phosphorus 107 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 52.4 µg/L. TSI 71. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 1.3 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 107 µg/L | Poor |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 52.4 µg/L | Poor |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 71 | Hypereutrophic |
Very high nutrients, dense algae, poor clarity
Water Temperature
Arbor Lake Max Depth typically sits around 67°F at the surface in September. Summer average is about 77°F. Usually warmest in Jul (about 77°F) and coldest in Sep (about 67°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 26 field readings (2010–2023) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Arbor Lake Max Depth water temperature breakdown →
Fishing Arbor Lake Max Depth
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 4 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | → Stable | +0.005 m/yr | 4 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -4.9 µg/L/yr | 4 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↓ Declining | +5.9 µg/L/yr | 4 |
EPA Impairment Status
Arbor Lake Max Depth is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 4A).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit IA 03-NSK-864 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (0.22 km)
County Ranking
Ranked #2 of 2 lakes in Poweshiek County
Nearby Lakes With Higher Grades
Arbor Lake Max Depth holds Grade F. One nearby lake has a higher nutrient-and-algae grade — useful for a swim day, not a reason to skip lodging here.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Poweshiek County
Frequently asked questions about Arbor Lake Max Depth
Where is Arbor Lake Max Depth?
- Arbor Lake Max Depth is a lake in Poweshiek County, Iowa. LakeQuality grades it F for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for Arbor Lake Max Depth?
- Arbor Lake Max Depth in Poweshiek County, Iowa has a water quality grade of F (Algae-prone). Water clarity: 1.3 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 107 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 52.4 µg/L.
Is Arbor Lake Max Depth safe to swim in?
- The F is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Arbor Lake Max Depth is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 4A) for algal growth, sediment / turbidity. Check local advisories before you swim.
What is the water temperature of Arbor Lake Max Depth?
- Arbor Lake Max Depth typically sits around 67°F at the surface in September, from 26 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2010–2023). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
Explore Arbor Lake Max Depth across LakeQuality
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Where this data comes from
53 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2021–2024. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Iowa DNR Surface Water Monitoring Data
21IOWA_WQX53 samples · 2021–2024
Analytical methods
- Unknown
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
- 445.0 ~ EPA; Chlorophyll and Pheophytin in Algae by Fluorescence
- In-Vitro Determination of Chlorophyll
- ISU modification of APHA 2130-B
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
Grade thresholds from the EPA National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See how grades are calculated and data sources.
Other records on this page
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database