Lake Petocka is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Polk County, Iowa. Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2024. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. Compared to the 11 other monitored lakes in Polk County, Lake Petocka ranks #2 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Iowa DNR, last sampled 2024-09-11. 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 3.3 ft of visibility. Chlorophyll-a: 9.3 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 56.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 3.3 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 9.3 µg/L | B |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 56 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Lake Petocka
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Lake Petocka in Polk 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 Petocka
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Fishing Lake Petocka
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.135 m/yr | 3 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↓ Declining | +7.9 µg/L/yr | 3 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #2 of 12 lakes in Polk County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Lake Petocka holds Grade C. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Polk County
Explore Lake Petocka across LakeGrade
More Iowa Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in Iowa
Eutrophic Lakes in Iowa
More records, surveys & data sources
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
3 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Lake Petocka under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 1 facility has a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Country Living Mobile Home ParkAltoona · 3.5 mi away · NPDES IA0068004Recent violation
- Bondurant, City Of MS4Bondurant · 1.1 mi away · NPDES IA0078786
- Bondurant City Of StpBondurant · 1.6 mi away · NPDES IA0023396
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)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2024-09-11
Monitoring stations: 1