Kaine Lake
Forest County, WisconsinEutrophic
Kaine Lake sits at a C on the grading scale — not impaired, not pristine, with summer measurements that vary year to year. Secchi readings are the weakest of the scored parameters, suggesting suspended sediment or algal biomass dominates the optical signal.
A TSI in the eutrophic range signals a lake doing what nutrient-loaded waters do — supporting an active algal community at the cost of clear water. 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. Within the 34 graded lakes of Forest County, Kaine Lake sits at rank 34, near the bottom of the county list.
Kaine Lake has no invasive species recorded in Wisconsin state databases as of 2025, though prevention practices still apply at all access points. The state fisheries records do not list documented species for Kaine Lake, which usually reflects a lack of formal fisheries survey work rather than an empty lake. Monitoring depth is thin here: the LakeGrade rubric is applied to a small number of sample years, and the grade will be revised as more data accumulates.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2025-09-16. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Very murky, less than 3.2 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 22.8 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 55.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 3.2 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | 22.8 µg/L | B |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 55 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +1.2 m/yr | 2 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +0.75 µg/L/yr | 2 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #34 of 34 lakes in Forest County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Kaine Lake holds Grade C. 2 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- AImogene LakeVilas County · mi · Two grade letters higher (C → A)
- BKentuck LakeVilas County · mi · Higher grade (C → B)
Nearby Lakes in Forest County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in Wisconsin
Eutrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2025-09-16
Monitoring stations: 1