Balsam Lake

Balsam Lake earns an A — water clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a all rate among the best monitored waters in Washburn County. The three sub-grades — clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a — track close together, so no single parameter is dragging the average.

Trophically, Balsam Lake reads as oligotrophic — nutrient-poor, clear, and ecologically more sensitive to disturbance than richer lakes. The lake's maximum depth is not yet documented in state morphometric records — context for its physical structure remains limited. The lake's surface area is not consistently recorded across state datasets — physical context remains partial. Among the 48 graded lakes in Washburn County, Balsam Lake ranks 5 — in the top quartile locally.

Balsam Lake has no invasive species recorded in Wisconsin state databases as of 2024, though prevention practices still apply at all access points. The state fisheries records do not list documented species for Balsam Lake, which usually reflects a lack of formal fisheries survey work rather than an empty lake. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.