What is the water quality grade for Cole Lake?

Cole Lake in Jefferson County, Wisconsin received a water quality grade of B (Good). Water clarity: 18.5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 17 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 16.5 µg/L. Surface area: 42 acres.

Is Cole Lake safe to swim in?

Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels. Cole Lake has an overall water quality grade of B. Algae concentration (chlorophyll-a) is 16.5 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.

Cole Lake

Jefferson County, WisconsinMesotrophic

Cole Lake is a 42-acre mesotrophic lake in Jefferson County, MO. Water quality is graded B based on 3 sampling years through 2020. Compared to the 6 other monitored lakes in Jefferson County, Cole Lake ranks #3 for water quality.

Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, local state DNR records, last sampled 2020-11-07. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.

Swimming Safety

Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels

Water Quality Grade: B, Good

Crystal clear, you can see 18.5 ft down. Phosphorus level: 17 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 16.5 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 46.

Metric	Value	Grade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)	18.5 ft	A
Phosphorus	17 µg/L	A
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)	16.5 µg/L	C
Trophic State Index (TSI)	46	Mesotrophic

Moderate nutrients, good water quality

Lake Details

Characteristic	Value
Surface Area	42 acres

Location

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County Ranking

Ranked #3 of 7 lakes in Jefferson County

Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles

Cole Lake holds Grade B. 5 nearby lakes hold higher grades.

See full comparison →

Nearby Lakes in Jefferson County

Lake Wauwanoka Nr. Dam

Lake Tishomingo Nr. Dam

More Wisconsin Lake Rankings

Cleanest lakes in Wisconsin

Top 25 by overall water quality score

Best swimming lakes in Wisconsin

Grade A/B + low algae filter

Family fishing lakes in Wisconsin

Panfish-rich, public access

All Wisconsin lakes

Full state directory

Other Grade B Lakes in Wisconsin

Table Rock Lake

Taney County · Clarity: 10 ft

Whippoorwill Lake

Warren County · Clarity: 5 ft

Lake Taneycomo @ Rockaway Beach

Taney County · Clarity: 8.7 ft

Forest Lake

Adair County · Clarity: 4.1 ft

Fox Valley Lake

Clark County · Clarity: 8.5 ft

Sherwood Lake Nr. Dam

Warren County · Clarity: 5.9 ft

Mesotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin

Table Rock Lake Whippoorwill Lake Forest Lake Fox Valley Lake

Reservoir Info (USACE NID)

Cole Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Coles Lake Dam (completed 1948), built primarily for recreation on the TR TIFF CREEK; earth-type dam, 37 ft tall and 1,370 ft long.

Surface area: 42 ac
Normal storage: 445 ac-ft
Max storage: 605 ac-ft
Drainage area: 1.21 sq mi
Hazard class: High
Owner: TRUSTEES OF COLE LAKE

Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID MO30440 · Operator website · Matched by proximity (0.11 km)

Data Sources

Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal

Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards

Most recent sample: 2020-11-07

Monitoring stations: 1