Bilk Creek Reservoir
Humboldt County, Nevada41 acresView mapDirections
Nutrients and algae run above the regional average.
↓ down from C at the last regrade
- Eutrophic
- Impaired · Metals (other than mercury)
- #3 of 4 in the county
- Limited data
Bilk Creek Reservoir in Humboldt County, Nevada has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Phosphorus: 160 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 0.5 µg/L. Surface area: 41 acres.
- Area
- 41 acres
- Type
- Eutrophic
- Phosphorus
- 160 µg/L
- Chlorophyll-a
- 0.5 µg/L
- Trend
- → Stable
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Stays near Bilk Creek Reservoir
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Bilk Creek Reservoir in Humboldt County, Nevada — 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 Bilk Creek Reservoir are listed below.
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Watch Bilk Creek Reservoir’s letter
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Bilk Creek Reservoir is a 41-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Humboldt County, Nevada. Water quality is graded D based on 1 sampling years through 2018. Phosphorus level is declining over recent sampling years. Compared to the 3 other monitored lakes in Humboldt County, Bilk Creek Reservoir ranks #3 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, NDEP, last sampled 2018-08-20. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
Swimming Safety
Grade onlyLimited data
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 D is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Bilk Creek Reservoir is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for metals (other than mercury), oxygen depletion (low DO), pH / acidity, temperature. Check local advisories before you swim.
Water Quality Grade: D (Nutrient-rich)
No clarity data. Phosphorus 160 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 0.5 µg/L. TSI 51. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | No recent samples | |
| Phosphorus | 160 µg/L | Poor |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 0.5 µg/L | Not graded |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 51 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 41 acres |
No bathymetric survey has been published for Bilk Creek Reservoir, so its depth is not documented here.
Fishing Bilk Creek Reservoir
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 4 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +7.41 µg/L/yr | 4 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -1.42 µg/L/yr | 2 |
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Bilk Creek Reservoir is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Bilk Creek Reservoir Dam (completed 1950), built primarily for irrigation on the Bilk Creek; earth-type dam, 46 ft tall and 623 ft long.
- Surface area
- 41 ac
- Normal storage
- 1,000 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 1,300 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 10 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Low
- Owner
- DENNY LAND AND CATTLE COMPANY
All listed purposes: Irrigation;Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond;Recreation.
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID NV00024 · Operator website
EPA Impairment Status
Bilk Creek Reservoir is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2022 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit NV02-BL-09-B_00 · Official waterbody report
County Ranking
Ranked #3 of 4 lakes in Humboldt County
Nearby Lakes With Higher Grades
Bilk Creek Reservoir holds Grade D. One nearby lake has a higher nutrient-and-algae grade — useful for a swim day, not a reason to skip lodging here.
Nearby Lakes in Humboldt County
Frequently asked questions about Bilk Creek Reservoir
Where is Bilk Creek Reservoir?
- Bilk Creek Reservoir is a lake in Humboldt County, Nevada. LakeQuality grades it D for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for Bilk Creek Reservoir?
- Bilk Creek Reservoir in Humboldt County, Nevada has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Phosphorus: 160 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 0.5 µg/L. Surface area: 41 acres.
Is Bilk Creek Reservoir safe to swim in?
- The D is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Bilk Creek Reservoir is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for metals (other than mercury), oxygen depletion (low DO), pH / acidity, temperature. Check local advisories before you swim.
Explore Bilk Creek Reservoir across LakeQuality
3 thermal springs within 10.1 mi, nearest Ninemile Springs
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Where this data comes from
6 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2016–2018. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Nevada Division of Environmental Protection
21NEV1_WQX6 samples · 2016–2018
Analytical methods
- 4500 P E ~ Phosphorus in Water by Colorimetry- Ascorbic Acid Method
- 4500 P E ~ Phosphorus by Ascorbic Acid
- 10200 H ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination
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