Busse Lake Main Pool is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Cook County, Illinois. Water quality is graded D based on 1 sampling years through 2022. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 2 public boat landings. Compared to the 67 other monitored lakes in Cook County, Busse Lake Main Pool ranks #25 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Illinois DNR, last sampled 2022-07-25. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk
Water Quality Grade: D, Poor
Murky, only visible to about 3.5 ft. Trophic State Index: 59.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 3.5 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 59 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Busse Lake Main Pool
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Fishing Busse Lake Main Pool
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Busse Lake Main Pool averages about 74°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 75°F) and coldest in May (about 62°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 183 field readings (2013–2022) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Busse Lake Main Pool water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #25 of 68 lakes in Cook County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Busse Lake Main Pool holds Grade D. 2 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
Nearby Lakes in Cook County
Explore Busse Lake Main Pool across LakeGrade
More Illinois Lake Rankings
Other Grade D Lakes in Illinois
Eutrophic Lakes in Illinois
More records, surveys & data sources
EPA Impairment Status
Busse Lake Main Pool is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit IL_RGZX · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (0.54 km)
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
10 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Busse Lake Main Pool under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits, including 4 classified by the EPA as major dischargers. 7 facilities have a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Mwrdgc-John E. Egan WrpChicago · 1.5 mi away · NPDES IL0036340MajorRecent violation
- Itasca, Village Of - Prospect Avenue WwtpItasca · 3.4 mi away · NPDES IL0079073MajorRecent violation
- Wood Dale North Stp, City OfWood Dale · 4.3 mi away · NPDES IL0020061MajorRecent violation
- Itasca Stp, Village OfItasca · 3.8 mi away · NPDES IL0026280Major
- Exxonmobil Des Plaines TerminalArlington Heights · 2.8 mi away · NPDES IL0066362Recent violation
- Us Energy - A Division Of Us Venture IncArlington Heights · 2.8 mi away · NPDES IL0062791Recent violation
Facilities permitted to discharge under the Clean Water Act within ~5 miles; proximity does not by itself mean a facility affects this lake. Source: EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES), as of 2026-07.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Most recent sample: 2022-07-25
Monitoring stations: 1