What is the water quality grade for Cameron Lake Deep Site?

Cameron Lake Deep Site in DeKalb County, Wisconsin received a water quality grade of F (Very Poor). Water clarity: 1.9 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 103 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 34.2 µg/L. Surface area: 21 acres.

Is Cameron Lake Deep Site safe to swim in?

Avoid swimming, very poor water quality, potential algae toxins. Cameron Lake Deep Site has an overall water quality grade of F. Algae concentration (chlorophyll-a) is 34.2 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.

Cameron Lake Deep Site

DeKalb County, WisconsinEutrophic

Cameron Lake Deep Site is a 21-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in DeKalb County, MO. Water quality is graded F based on 3 sampling years through 2024. Compared to the 5 other monitored lakes in DeKalb County, Cameron Lake Deep Site ranks #4 for water quality.

Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, local state DNR records, last sampled 2024-09-19. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.

Swimming Safety

Avoid swimming, very poor water quality, potential algae toxins

Water Quality Grade: F, Very Poor

Very murky, less than 1.9 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 103 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 34.2 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 68.

Metric	Value	Grade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)	1.9 ft	F
Phosphorus	103 µg/L	F
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)	34.2 µg/L	F
Trophic State Index (TSI)	68	Eutrophic

High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity

Lake Details

Characteristic	Value
Surface Area	21 acres

Location

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County Ranking

Ranked #4 of 6 lakes in DeKalb County

Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles

Cameron Lake Deep Site holds Grade F. 5 nearby lakes hold higher grades.

See full comparison →

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Other Grade F Lakes in Wisconsin

Creve Coeur Lake

St. Louis County · Clarity: 1.6 ft

Lake of the Woods-Kc

Jackson County · Clarity: 2 ft

Lake St. Louis by Dam

St. Charles County · Clarity: 2.3 ft

Hemitite Lake

St. Francois County · Clarity: 1.1 ft

Blind Pony Lake

Saline County · Clarity: 2.3 ft

Stockton Lake Upstream of Hwy 123 Bridge

Polk County · Clarity: 1.2 ft

Eutrophic Lakes in Wisconsin

Aspen Lake Along Southern Arm Boathouse Lake Hunnewell Lake Long Branch Lk. Lake

Reservoir Info (USACE NID)

Cameron Lake Deep Site is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Cameron City Reservoir #1 Dam (completed 1925), built primarily for water supply on the TRIBUTARY TO GRINDSTONE CREEK; earth-type dam, 36 ft tall and 550 ft long.

Surface area: 21 ac
Normal storage: 154 ac-ft
Max storage: 630 ac-ft
Drainage area: 1.61 sq mi
Hazard class: High
Owner: CITY OF CAMERON

All listed purposes: Water Supply;Recreation.

Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID MO10042 · Operator website · Matched by proximity (0.33 km)

EPA Impairment Status

Cameron Lake Deep Site is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2022 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).

Causes of impairment

Algal growth

Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MO_7120.00 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (0.66 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: 2024-09-19

Monitoring stations: 4