Lower Gar Lake
Dickinson County, IowaView mapDirections
Nutrients and algae run above the regional average.
- Eutrophic
- #5 of 8 in the county
Lower Gar Lake in Dickinson County, Iowa has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Water clarity: 2.6 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 71.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 20.7 µg/L.
- Clarity
- 2.6 ft
- Typical in September
- 71°F
- Type
- Eutrophic
- Phosphorus
- 71.5 µg/L
- Chlorophyll-a
- 20.7 µg/L
- Trend
- ↑ Improving
Stays via Stay22
Stays near Lower Gar Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Lower Gar Lake in Dickinson 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. The water-quality grade measures nutrients and algae, not lodging — cabins and rentals around Lower Gar Lake are listed below.
Top-rated places to stay near Lower Gar Lake
Prices for Sep 11–13, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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Watch Lower Gar Lake’s letter
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Free interactive depth-contour map of Lower Gar Lake, reaching a maximum surveyed depth of 6 ft. Toggle Depth contours to overlay the bathymetric survey lines. Contour data from Iowa DNR.
Lower Gar Lake is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Dickinson County, Iowa. Water quality is graded D based on 2 sampling years through 2024. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. Compared to the 7 other monitored lakes in Dickinson County, Lower Gar Lake ranks #5 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Iowa DNR, last sampled 2024-09-10. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
Swimming Safety
Grade onlyAlgae risk
Based on clarity and algae grades from past sampling — we do not hold live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
The D is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.
Water Quality Grade: D (Nutrient-rich)
Very murky, less than 2.6 ft of visibility. Phosphorus 71.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 20.7 µg/L. TSI 63. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 2.6 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 71.5 µg/L | Poor |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 20.7 µg/L | Poor |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 63 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Water Temperature
Lower Gar Lake typically sits around 71°F at the surface in September. Summer average is about 75°F. Usually warmest in Jul (about 81°F) and coldest in May (about 70°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 27 field readings (2010–2023) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Lower Gar Lake water temperature breakdown →
Fishing Lower Gar Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.15 m/yr | 5 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -1.55 µg/L/yr | 4 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -0.4 µg/L/yr | 5 |
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
5 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Lower Gar Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits, including 1 classified by the EPA as major discharger. 1 facility has a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Iowa Great Lakes Sanitary District StpMilford · 1.2 mi away · NPDES IA0059765MajorRecent violation
- Iowa Dot Ia 86 Hma Paved ShouldersMilford · 2 mi away · NPDES IA0052357
- Dctb Hwy 86 Trail - Wetland ProjectWahpeton · 2 mi away · NPDES IA0077445
- Derner'S Of Milford, Inc.Milford · 3.7 mi away · NPDES IA0077593
- Magellan Pipeline Company, L.P. - Milford TerminalMilford · 4.6 mi away · NPDES IA0071358
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.
County Ranking
Ranked #5 of 8 lakes in Dickinson County
Nearby Lakes With Higher Grades
Lower Gar Lake holds Grade D. 3 nearby lakes hold higher nutrient-and-algae grades — useful for a swim day, not a reason to skip lodging here.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Dickinson County
Frequently asked questions about Lower Gar Lake
Where is Lower Gar Lake?
- Lower Gar Lake is a lake in Dickinson County, Iowa. LakeQuality grades it D for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for Lower Gar Lake?
- Lower Gar Lake in Dickinson County, Iowa has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Water clarity: 2.6 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 71.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 20.7 µg/L.
Is Lower Gar Lake safe to swim in?
- The D is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.
What is the water temperature of Lower Gar Lake?
- Lower Gar Lake typically sits around 71°F at the surface in September, from 27 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2010–2023). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
Explore Lower Gar Lake across LakeQuality
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Where to stay at Iowa's top lakes, each with its grade
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
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Where this data comes from
54 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2020–2024. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Iowa DNR Surface Water Monitoring Data
21IOWA_WQX54 samples · 2020–2024
Analytical methods
- Unknown
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
- 445.0 ~ EPA; Chlorophyll and Pheophytin in Algae by Fluorescence
- In-Vitro Determination of Chlorophyll
- ISU modification of APHA 2130-B
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
Grade thresholds from the EPA National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See how grades are calculated and data sources.
Other records on this page
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)