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B

Ember Lake

Polk County, WisconsinMesotrophic

On the LakeGrade scale Ember Lake grades a B, with clarity at 8.2 ft and 20 µg/L of phosphorus placing it above the Wisconsin median. Clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a all rate similarly, so there is no obvious single lever to pull on watershed management.

The lake sits in the mesotrophic zone — the band where most well-managed Wisconsin lakes fall. The lake's maximum depth is not yet documented in state morphometric records — context for its physical structure remains limited. The lake's surface area is not consistently recorded across state datasets — physical context remains partial. Among the 74 graded lakes in Polk County, Ember Lake sits at rank 36, above the county median.

Ember Lake has no invasive species recorded in Wisconsin state databases as of 2024, though prevention practices still apply at all access points. The state fisheries records do not list documented species for Ember Lake, which usually reflects a lack of formal fisheries survey work rather than an empty lake. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.

Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2024-09-09. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.

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Swimming Safety

Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels

Water Quality Grade: B, Good

Moderate clarity, visible to about 8.2 ft. Phosphorus level: 20.2 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 47.

MetricValueGrade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)8.2 ftC
Phosphorus20.2 µg/LB
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)No data
Trophic State Index (TSI)47Mesotrophic

Moderate nutrients, good water quality

Water Quality Trend: Declining

Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).

MetricTrendChange/YearYears
Water Clarity Declining-0.5 m/yr2
Phosphorus Stable-0.4 µg/L/yr2

Location

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County Ranking

Ranked #36 of 74 lakes in Polk County

Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles

Ember Lake holds Grade B. One nearby lake has a higher grade.

See full comparison →

Nearby Lakes in Polk County

Data Sources

Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal

Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards

Most recent sample: 2024-09-09

Monitoring stations: 2

Where to stay near Ember Lake

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