Lake of Three Fires Max Depth is a 125-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Taylor County, Iowa. Water quality is graded F based on 2 sampling years through 2024. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 3 other monitored lakes in Taylor County, Lake of Three Fires Max Depth ranks #3 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Iowa DNR, last sampled 2024-10-01. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Based on E. coli testing, Lake of Three Fires Max Depth frequently exceeded the EPA safe-swimming threshold (235 MPN/100mL) — on 18.1% of 105 samples across 7 seasons.
This is a historical summary of past testing, not a current condition — bacteria levels change quickly, especially after rain. Always check Iowa’s current beach and health-department advisories before swimming.
Water Quality Grade: F, Very Poor
Very murky, less than 2 ft of visibility. Chlorophyll-a: 58.6 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 69.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 2 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 58.6 µg/L | F |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 69 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 125 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near Lake of Three Fires Max Depth
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Lake of Three Fires Max Depth in Taylor County, Iowa — 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 Lake of Three Fires Max Depth
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Fishing Lake of Three Fires Max Depth
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 4 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.104 m/yr | 4 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -6.41 µg/L/yr | 4 |
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Lake of Three Fires Max Depth averages about 79°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 83°F) and coldest in May (about 71°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 100 field readings (2010–2023) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Lake of Three Fires Max Depth water temperature breakdown →
Location & Depth Map
Free interactive depth-contour map of Lake of Three Fires Max Depth, reaching a maximum surveyed depth of 22 ft. Toggle Depth contours to overlay the bathymetric survey lines. Contour data from Iowa DNR.
County Ranking
Ranked #3 of 4 lakes in Taylor County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Lake of Three Fires Max Depth holds Grade F. 2 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- DBinder LakeAdams County · 20.3 mi · Higher grade (F → D)
- DLoch Ayr LakeRinggold County · 23.6 mi · Higher grade (F → D)
Nearby Lakes in Taylor County
Explore Lake of Three Fires Max Depth across LakeGrade
More Iowa Lake Rankings
Other Grade F Lakes in Iowa
Eutrophic Lakes in Iowa
More records, surveys & data sources
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Lake of Three Fires Max Depth is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Lake of Three Fires Dam (completed 1967), built primarily for recreation on the TR-EAST 102 RIVER; earth-type dam, 32 ft tall and 980 ft long.
- Surface area
- 125 ac
- Normal storage
- 1,231 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 2,100 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 6.15 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Significant
- Owner
- Iowa Department of Natural Resources
All listed purposes: Recreation;Water Supply.
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID IA01058 · Operator website · Matched by proximity (0.16 km)
EPA Impairment Status
Lake of Three Fires Max Depth is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 4A).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit IA 05-PLA-1476 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (0.58 km)
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Most recent sample: 2024-10-01
Monitoring stations: 1