What is the water quality grade for Ashland Lake?

Ashland Lake in Boone County, Wisconsin received a water quality grade of F (Very Poor). Water clarity: 1.9 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 90.2 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 39 µg/L. Surface area: 29 acres.

Is Ashland Lake safe to swim in?

Avoid swimming, very poor water quality, potential algae toxins. Ashland Lake has an overall water quality grade of F. Algae concentration (chlorophyll-a) is 39 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.

Ashland Lake

Boone County, WisconsinEutrophic

Ashland Lake is a 29-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Boone County, MO. Water quality is graded F based on 3 sampling years through 2023. Compared to the 11 other monitored lakes in Boone County, Ashland Lake ranks #11 for water quality.

Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, local state DNR records, last sampled 2023-08-10. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.

Swimming Safety

Avoid swimming, very poor water quality, potential algae toxins

Water Quality Grade: F, Very Poor

Very murky, less than 1.9 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 90.2 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 39 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 68.

Metric	Value	Grade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)	1.9 ft	F
Phosphorus	90.2 µg/L	F
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)	39 µg/L	F
Trophic State Index (TSI)	68	Eutrophic

High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity

Lake Details

Characteristic	Value
Surface Area	29 acres

Location

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County Ranking

Ranked #11 of 12 lakes in Boone County

Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles

Ashland Lake holds Grade F. 5 nearby lakes hold higher grades.

See full comparison →

Nearby Lakes in Boone County

More Wisconsin Lake Rankings

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Top 25 by overall water quality score

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Grade A/B + low algae filter

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Panfish-rich, public access

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Other Grade F Lakes in Wisconsin

Creve Coeur Lake

St. Louis County · Clarity: 1.6 ft

Lake of the Woods-Kc

Jackson County · Clarity: 2 ft

Lake St. Louis by Dam

St. Charles County · Clarity: 2.3 ft

Hemitite Lake

St. Francois County · Clarity: 1.1 ft

Blind Pony Lake

Saline County · Clarity: 2.3 ft

Stockton Lake Upstream of Hwy 123 Bridge

Polk County · Clarity: 1.2 ft

Eutrophic Lakes in Wisconsin

Aspen Lake Along Southern Arm Boathouse Lake Hunnewell Lake Long Branch Lk. Lake

Reservoir Info (USACE NID)

Ashland Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Ashland Wildlife Area Dam (completed 1937), built primarily for other on the BRUSHY CREEK; earth-type dam, 44 ft tall and 270 ft long.

Surface area: 29 ac
Normal storage: 429 ac-ft
Max storage: 429 ac-ft
Drainage area: 3.87 sq mi
Hazard class: Low
Owner: UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI

All listed purposes: Other;Recreation.

Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID MO10036 · Operator website · Matched by proximity (0.04 km)

Data Sources

Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal

Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards

Most recent sample: 2023-08-10

Monitoring stations: 2