Channel Lake
Lake County, WisconsinEutrophic
Channel Lake is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Lake County, IL. Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2022. Compared to the 15 other monitored lakes in Lake County, Channel Lake ranks #7 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, local state DNR records, last sampled 2022-10-25. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Moderate clarity, visible to about 8 ft. Phosphorus level: 34.5 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 51.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 8 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | 34.5 µg/L | C |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 51 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #7 of 16 lakes in Lake County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Channel Lake holds Grade C. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Lake County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in Wisconsin
Cook County · Clarity: 9 ft
Cook County · Clarity: 8.5 ft
Williamson County · Clarity: 3.2 ft
Johnson County · Clarity: 4.5 ft
Gallatin County · Clarity: 3.9 ft
Rock Island County · Clarity: 4.2 ft
Eutrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
EPA Impairment Status
Channel Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit IL_RTI · Official waterbody report
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: 2022-10-25
Monitoring stations: 2