Galena Lake is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Jo Daviess County, Illinois. Water quality is graded D based on 1 sampling years through 2020.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Illinois DNR, last sampled 2020-07-17. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Galena Lake water quality
Subscribe for LakeQuality updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Swimming Safety
Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk
Water Quality Grade: D, Poor
Murky, only visible to about 5.2 ft. Trophic State Index: 53.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 5.2 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 53 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Galena Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Galena Lake in Jo Daviess County, Illinois — 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.
Top-rated places to stay near Galena Lake
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a trip to Galena Lake?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Galena Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Illinois’s top lakes →
Fishing Galena Lake
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 1 lakes in Jo Daviess County
Nearby Lakes in Jo Daviess County
Explore Galena Lake across LakeGrade
More Illinois Lake Rankings
Other Grade D Lakes in Illinois
Eutrophic Lakes in Illinois
More records, surveys & data sources
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Galena Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Smallpox Creek Dam (completed 1974), built primarily for recreation on the SMALLPOX CREEK; rockfill-type dam, 60 ft tall and 1,100 ft long.
- Normal storage
- 4,208 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 6,500 ac-ft
- Hazard class
- High
- Owner
- GALENA TERRITORY ASSOCIATION, INC.
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID IL01003 · Operator website
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
2 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Galena Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 1 facility has a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Iawc - Galena Territory StpGalena · 0.9 mi away · NPDES IL0061085Recent violation
- Walnut Ridge Of Galena-GalenaGalena · 3.1 mi away · NPDES IL0076601
Facilities permitted to discharge under the Clean Water Act within ~5 miles; proximity does not by itself mean a facility affects this lake. Source: EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES), as of 2026-07.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2020-07-17
Monitoring stations: 1