Culvert on Lake Helen
Culvert on Lake Helen in Portage County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Phosphorus: 87.1 µg/L.
- Typical in August
- 75°F
- Type
- Eutrophic
- Trend
- ↑ Improving
- Public access
- Yes
Grade D measures nutrients and algae, not whether this is a good place for a cabin trip. Cabins and rentals near Culvert on Lake Helen →
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Culvert on Lake Helen is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Portage County, Wisconsin. Water quality is graded D based on 1 sampling years through 2023. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 13 other monitored lakes in Portage County, Culvert on Lake Helen ranks #14 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2023-04-12. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Grade onlyLimited data
Based on clarity and algae grades from past sampling — we do not hold live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
Nutrients and algae run higher than average — check local advisories before swimming, and skip the water if you see scum
Water Quality Grade: D (Nutrient-rich)
No clarity data. Phosphorus level: 87.1 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 69.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | No recent samples | |
| Phosphorus | 87.1 µg/L | Poor |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No recent samples | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 69 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Culvert on Lake Helen
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Culvert on Lake Helen in Portage County, Wisconsin — live availability and prices for your trip. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water. The water-quality grade measures nutrients and algae, not lodging — cabins and rentals around Culvert on Lake Helen are listed below.
Top-rated places to stay near Culvert on Lake Helen
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Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Wisconsin’s top lakes →
Water Temperature
Culvert on Lake Helen typically sits around 75°F at the surface in August. Summer average is about 75°F. Usually warmest in Jul (about 79°F) and coldest in Apr (about 57°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 137 field readings (2024–2026) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Culvert on Lake Helen water temperature breakdown →
Recreation & Access
- Lake Helen County ParkPublic
Named access points in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory, within about 3 miles. More lakes with boat ramps
Fishing Culvert on Lake Helen
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 7 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.188 m/yr | 7 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -0.98 µg/L/yr | 7 |
County Ranking
Ranked #14 of 14 lakes in Portage County
Nearby Lakes With Higher Grades
Culvert on Lake Helen holds Grade D. 3 nearby lakes hold higher nutrient-and-algae grades — useful for a swim day, not a reason to skip lodging here.
Nearby Lakes in Portage County
Frequently asked questions about Culvert on Lake Helen
Where is Culvert on Lake Helen?
- Culvert on Lake Helen is a lake in Portage County, Wisconsin. LakeQuality grades it D for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for Culvert on Lake Helen?
- Culvert on Lake Helen in Portage County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Phosphorus: 87.1 µg/L.
Is Culvert on Lake Helen safe to swim in?
- Nutrients and algae run higher than average — check local advisories before swimming, and skip the water if you see scum. Culvert on Lake Helen has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
What is the water temperature of Culvert on Lake Helen?
- Culvert on Lake Helen typically sits around 75°F at the surface in August, from 137 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2024–2026). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
Are there boat ramps on Culvert on Lake Helen?
- Culvert on Lake Helen has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Lake Helen County Park. Public access is listed as yes.
Explore Culvert on Lake Helen across LakeQuality
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High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
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Where this data comes from
5 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2022–2023. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
WIDNR_WQX5 samples · 2022–2023
Analytical methods
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
Grade thresholds from the EPA National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See how grades are calculated and data sources.
Other records on this page
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Named boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory