What is the water quality grade for Hiddenwood Lake?

Hiddenwood Lake in Ward County, Wisconsin received a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 3.1 ft visibility. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 4.8 µg/L. Surface area: 131 acres.

Is Hiddenwood Lake safe to swim in?

Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality. Hiddenwood Lake has an overall water quality grade of C. Algae concentration (chlorophyll-a) is 4.8 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.

Hiddenwood Lake

Ward County, WisconsinEutrophic

Hiddenwood Lake is a 131-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Ward County, ND. Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2024. Compared to the 3 other monitored lakes in Ward County, Hiddenwood Lake ranks #3 for water quality.

Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, local state DNR records, last sampled 2024-10-08. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.

Swimming Safety

Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality

Water Quality Grade: C, Fair

Very murky, less than 3.1 ft of visibility. Chlorophyll-a: 4.8 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 54.

Metric	Value	Grade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)	3.1 ft	F
Phosphorus	No data
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)	4.8 µg/L	A
Trophic State Index (TSI)	54	Eutrophic

High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity

Lake Details

Characteristic	Value
Surface Area	131 acres

Location

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County Ranking

Ranked #3 of 4 lakes in Ward County

Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles

Hiddenwood Lake holds Grade C. 4 nearby lakes hold higher grades.

See full comparison →

Nearby Lakes in Ward County

Velva Sportsmans Dam Lake

More Wisconsin Lake Rankings

Cleanest lakes in Wisconsin

Top 25 by overall water quality score

Best swimming lakes in Wisconsin

Grade A/B + low algae filter

Family fishing lakes in Wisconsin

Panfish-rich, public access

All Wisconsin lakes

Full state directory

Other Grade C Lakes in Wisconsin

Lake Tschida

Grant County · Clarity: 6 ft

Devils Lake

Ramsey County · Clarity: 5.2 ft

Devils Lake

Benson County · Clarity: 3.7 ft

Carlson-Tande Dam Lake

Griggs County · Clarity: 5.6 ft

Fordville Dam Lake

Grand Forks County · Clarity: 4.4 ft

Silver Lake

Sargent County · Clarity: 5.9 ft

Eutrophic Lakes in Wisconsin

Lake Alice J. Clark Salyer Pool 357 E. A. Patterson Lake Lake Irvine

Reservoir Info (USACE NID)

Hiddenwood Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Hiddenwood Lake Dam (completed 1933), built primarily for flood risk reduction on the Missouri River-TR; earth-type dam, 18 ft tall.

Surface area: 131 ac
Normal storage: 1,780 ac-ft
Max storage: 2,250 ac-ft
Drainage area: 8 sq mi
Hazard class: Low
Owner: Ward Co Highway Dept

Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID ND01045 · Operator website

Data Sources

Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal

Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards

Most recent sample: 2024-10-08

Monitoring stations: 1