Clear Lake
Cerro Gordo County, WisconsinEutrophic
Clear Lake is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Cerro Gordo County, IA. Water quality is graded D based on 2 sampling years through 2024. Compared to the 3 other monitored lakes in Cerro Gordo County, Clear Lake ranks #2 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, local state DNR records, last sampled 2024-10-22. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Swimming Safety
Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk
Water Quality Grade: D, Poor
Very murky, less than 2.1 ft of visibility. Chlorophyll-a: 26.4 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 65.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 2.1 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 26.4 µg/L | D |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 65 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #2 of 4 lakes in Cerro Gordo County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Clear Lake holds Grade D. 2 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- ABlue Pit LakeCerro Gordo County · 10 mi · Two grade letters higher (D → A)
- BRudd LakeFloyd County · 26.5 mi · Two grade letters higher (D → B)
Nearby Lakes in Cerro Gordo County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
Other Grade D Lakes in Wisconsin
Eutrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
EPA Impairment Status
Clear Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 4A).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit IA 02-WIN-841 · 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: 2024-10-22
Monitoring stations: 1