Elbow Lake is a mesotrophic lake in Powell County, Montana. Water quality is graded A based on 2 sampling years through 2025. Compared to the 1 other monitored lakes in Powell County, Elbow Lake ranks #1 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Montana DNR, last sampled 2025-08-16. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
No clarity data. Phosphorus level: 10.1 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 4.2 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 41.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | No data | |
| Phosphorus | 10.1 µg/L | A |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 4.2 µg/L | A |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 41 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Elbow Lake
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Fishing Elbow Lake
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 2 lakes in Powell County
Nearby Lakes in Powell County
Explore Elbow Lake across LakeGrade
More Montana Lake Rankings
Other Grade A Lakes in Montana
Missoula County · Excellent
Missoula County · Clarity: 16.6 ft
Missoula County · Excellent
Missoula County · Clarity: 17.7 ft
Missoula County · Clarity: 16.4 ft
Missoula County · Clarity: 17 ft
Mesotrophic Lakes in Montana
More records, surveys & data sources
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2025-08-16
Monitoring stations: 1