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LakeQuality
D

Charleston Side Channel Lake

Coles County, WisconsinLimited DataEutrophic

Charleston Side Channel Lake is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Coles County, IL. Water quality is graded D based on 1 sampling years through 2021. Compared to the 1 other monitored lakes in Coles County, Charleston Side Channel Lake ranks #1 for water quality.

Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, local state DNR records, last sampled 2021-10-13. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.

Swimming Safety

Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk

Water Quality Grade: D, Poor

No clarity data. Phosphorus level: 61.5 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 64.

MetricValueGrade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)No data
Phosphorus61.5 µg/LD
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)No data
Trophic State Index (TSI)64Eutrophic

High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity

Location

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County Ranking

Ranked #1 of 2 lakes in Coles County

Nearby Lakes in Coles County

F
Paradise Lake
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Mattoon Lake
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Newton Lake
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Sara Lake
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Borah Lake
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Vernor Lake
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Top 25 by overall water quality score

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Panfish-rich, public access

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Other Grade D Lakes in Wisconsin

Lake Opeka

Cook County · Clarity: 4 ft

Consumers Quarry Lake

Cook County · Clarity: 6.5 ft

Lake Arlington

Cook County · Clarity: 4.5 ft

Great Lakes Quarries East

Cook County · Clarity: 4.5 ft

Flatfoot Lake

Cook County · Clarity: 6 ft

Papoose Lake

Cook County · Clarity: 5 ft

Eutrophic Lakes in Wisconsin

Lake OpekaConsumers Quarry LakeLake CharlemagneLake Arlington

Reservoir Info (USACE NID)

Charleston Side Channel Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Lake Charleston Dam (completed 1981), built primarily for water supply on the TRIB EMBARASS RIVER; earth-type dam, 29 ft tall and 4,400 ft long.

Normal storage
2,360 ac-ft
Max storage
3,775 ac-ft
Hazard class
Significant
Owner
CITY OF CHARLESTON

Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID IL01240 · Operator website · Matched by proximity (0.33 km)

EPA Impairment Status

Charleston Side Channel Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 4A).

Causes of impairment

Nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen)

A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.

Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit IL_RBC · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (0.25 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: 2021-10-13

Monitoring stations: 3