Dowling Lake
Dowling Lake in Douglas County, Wisconsin is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Phosphorus: 54.8 µg/L. Maximum depth: 13 ft. Surface area: 141 acres.
- Max depth
- 13 ft
- Area
- 141 acres
- Trend
- ↑ Improving
- Public access
- Yes
Next lake in Douglas County
Why Dowling Lake has no grade
We grade a lake only when its monitoring record clears the evidence bar: at least three phosphorus or chlorophyll-a samples in the last ten years, scored against EPA National Lakes Assessment thresholds for this lake’s ecoregion. For Dowling Lake, no nutrient or algae measurement meets the evidence bar (at least 3 samples within 10 years). Sampling here has recorded phosphorus, but not water clarity and algae (chlorophyll-a).
Not Rated is not an F. It is EPA Integrated Reporting Category 3 — insufficient information. The water here may be excellent or poor; nobody has measured enough of it to say. Everything below that has been measured is still reported on this page.
Sampling is run by WI DNR and volunteer programs, and published through the EPA Water Quality Portal. Read the full grading methodology.
Dowling Lake is a 141-acre lake in Douglas County, Wisconsin with a maximum depth of 13 feet. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 5 documented fish species including Musky, Panfish, and Largemouth Bass. Public access is available.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2020-10-13. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Not ratedLimited data
Not rated for swimming — there is not enough monitoring data to judge this lake
Water quality measurements for Dowling Lake
These readings exist but do not meet the evidence bar for an A–F grade — see why.
No clarity data. Phosphorus level: 54.8 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 62.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | No recent samples | |
| Phosphorus | 54.8 µg/L | Not graded |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No recent samples | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 62 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Dowling Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Dowling Lake in Douglas 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.
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Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 13 ft |
| Surface Area | 141 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS).
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Dowling Lake
Invasive & Introduced Species
Red chips are ecologically harmful invasive species. Gray chips are stocked or introduced fish that aren't a current ecological concern.
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. 4 stations on file (most recent sample 2020).
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 6 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.157 m/yr | 5 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -4.35 µg/L/yr | 6 |
EPA Impairment Status
Dowling Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit WI10010837 · Official waterbody report
Graded lakes near Dowling Lake
Dowling Lake has no grade, but these lakes within a short drive do.
Nearby Lakes in Douglas County
Frequently asked questions about Dowling Lake
What is the water quality grade for Dowling Lake?
- Dowling Lake in Douglas County, Wisconsin is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Phosphorus: 54.8 µg/L. Maximum depth: 13 ft. Surface area: 141 acres.
Is Dowling Lake safe to swim in?
- Not rated for swimming — there is not enough monitoring data to judge this lake. Dowling Lake is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
How deep is Dowling Lake?
- Dowling Lake has a maximum depth of 13 feet. The lake covers 141 acres.
What fish are in Dowling Lake?
- Fish species found in Dowling Lake include Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye. Dowling Lake is located in Douglas County, Wisconsin.
Explore Dowling Lake across LakeGrade
5.4 mi away · 165 ft
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Where this data comes from
3 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2020. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
WIDNR_WQX3 samples · 2020
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
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Fish and recreation data from Wisconsin DNR Lakes