Burden Lake
Rensselaer County, WisconsinLimited DataOligotrophic
Burden Lake is a 369-acre cold, clear oligotrophic lake in Rensselaer County, NY. Water quality is graded A based on 1 sampling years through 2020. Compared to the 6 other monitored lakes in Rensselaer County, Burden Lake ranks #1 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, local state DNR records, last sampled 2020-09-20. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
Good clarity, visible to about 14.8 ft. Trophic State Index: 38.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 14.8 ft | A |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 38 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 369 acres |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 7 lakes in Rensselaer County
Nearby Lakes in Rensselaer County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
Other Grade A Lakes in Wisconsin
Oligotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Burden Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Burden Lake Dam (completed 1916), built primarily for recreation on the TR-WYNANTSKILL; earth-type dam, 24 ft tall and 365 ft long.
- Surface area
- 369 ac
- Normal storage
- 3,598 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 7,600 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 4.37 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Significant
- Owner
- Burden Lake Preservation Corporation;Daniel L. Alger;Mr. Joseph and Mrs. Liane Densmore;RENSSELAER COUNTY
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID NY00275 · Operator website
EPA Impairment Status
Burden Lake 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 NY1301-0025 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (0.33 km)
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2020-09-20
Monitoring stations: 1