Lake Wapello
Davis County, WisconsinEutrophic
Lake Wapello is a 287-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Davis County, IA. Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2024. Compared to the 1 other monitored lakes in Davis County, Lake Wapello ranks #1 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, local state DNR records, last sampled 2024-09-17. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Moderate clarity, visible to about 7.5 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 13 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 52.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 7.5 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 13 µg/L | C |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 52 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 287 acres |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 2 lakes in Davis County
Nearby Lakes in Davis County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in Wisconsin
Eutrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Lake Wapello is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Lake Wapello Dam (completed 1934), built primarily for recreation on the Pee Dee Creek; earth-type dam, 57 ft tall and 1,500 ft long.
- Surface area
- 287 ac
- Normal storage
- 3,790 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 7,610 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 7.98 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Significant
- Owner
- Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID IA00301 · Operator website
EPA Impairment Status
Lake Wapello is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit IA 04-LDM-1035 · Official waterbody report
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2024-09-17
Monitoring stations: 1