Balta Dam Lake
Pierce County, WisconsinEutrophic
Balta Dam Lake is a 18-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Pierce County, ND. Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2020. Compared to the 2 other monitored lakes in Pierce County, Balta Dam Lake ranks #1 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, local state DNR records, last sampled 2020-10-09. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Swimming Safety
Swim with caution, moderate algae may be present
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Murky, only visible to about 5.2 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 17.9 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 56.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 5.2 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 17.9 µg/L | C |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 56 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 18 acres |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 3 lakes in Pierce County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Balta Dam Lake holds Grade C. 2 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- ARound LakeMcHenry County · 13.8 mi · Two grade letters higher (C → A)
- CHarvey Dam LakeWells County · 28.1 mi · Higher overall water quality score
Nearby Lakes in Pierce County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in Wisconsin
Eutrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Balta Dam Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Balta Dam (completed 1937), built primarily for recreation on the North Fork Sheyenne River; earth-type dam, 26 ft tall and 700 ft long.
- Surface area
- 18 ac
- Normal storage
- 96 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 161 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 18 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Low
- Owner
- Pierce County WRB
All listed purposes: Recreation;Fish and Wildlife Pond.
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID ND00016 · Operator website
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2020-10-09
Monitoring stations: 1