Lower Kelly Lake
Lower Kelly Lake in Waukesha County, Wisconsin is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Phosphorus: 156 µg/L. Maximum depth: 36 ft. Surface area: 3 acres.
Wisconsin DNR rates Panfish as abundant on Lower Kelly Lake. DNR survey details →
- Max depth
- 36 ft
- Area
- 3 acres
- Trend
- ↑ Improving
- Public access
- Yes
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Why Lower Kelly Lake has no grade
We grade a lake only when the monitoring record supports a letter: at least three phosphorus or chlorophyll-a samples in the last ten years, scored against EPA National Lakes Assessment thresholds for this lake’s ecoregion. For Lower Kelly Lake, no nutrient or algae measurement meets the evidence bar (at least 3 samples within 10 years). Sampling here has recorded phosphorus, but not water clarity and algae (chlorophyll-a).
Not Rated is not an F. It is EPA Integrated Reporting Category 3 — insufficient information. The water here may be excellent or poor; nobody has measured enough of it to say. Everything below that has been measured is still reported on this page.
Sampling is run by WI DNR and volunteer programs, and published through the EPA Water Quality Portal. Read the full grading methodology.
Lower Kelly Lake is a 3-acre lake in Waukesha County, Wisconsin with a maximum depth of 36 feet. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 2 documented fish species including Panfish and Largemouth Bass. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2025-09-14. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
Watch Lower Kelly Lake water quality
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Swimming Safety
Not ratedLimited data
Not rated for swimming — there is not enough monitoring data to judge this lake
Water quality measurements for Lower Kelly Lake
These readings exist but are not enough for an A–F grade — see why.
No clarity data. Phosphorus level: 156 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 77.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | No recent samples | |
| Phosphorus | 156 µg/L | Not graded |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No recent samples | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 77 | Hypereutrophic |
Very high nutrients, dense algae, poor clarity
Where to stay near Lower Kelly Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Lower Kelly Lake in Waukesha County, Wisconsin — 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 Lower Kelly Lake
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Wisconsin DNR rates Panfish as abundant on Lower Kelly Lake.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality does not assign an A–F grade on Lower Kelly Lake — official chemistry is on file, not a letter, and the water-quality trend over 3 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. 1 station on file (most recent sample 2025).
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 36 ft |
| Surface Area | 3 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Recreation & Access
- Durham DrivePublic
Named access points in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory, within about 3 miles. More lakes with boat ramps
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Lower Kelly Lake
Invasive & Introduced Species
Red chips are ecologically harmful invasive species. Gray chips are stocked or introduced fish that aren't a current ecological concern.
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.188 m/yr | 2 |
EPA Impairment Status
Lower Kelly Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5R).
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit WI10008146 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (0.4 km)
Graded lakes near Lower Kelly Lake
Lower Kelly Lake has no grade, but these lakes within a short drive do.
Nearby Lakes in Waukesha County
Frequently asked questions about Lower Kelly Lake
Where is Lower Kelly Lake?
- Lower Kelly Lake is a lake in Waukesha County, Wisconsin. LakeQuality has not rated this lake (UNRATED) — there is not enough recent sampling to assign a letter.
What is the water quality grade for Lower Kelly Lake?
- Lower Kelly Lake in Waukesha County, Wisconsin is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Phosphorus: 156 µg/L. Maximum depth: 36 ft. Surface area: 3 acres.
Is Lower Kelly Lake safe to swim in?
- Not rated for swimming — there is not enough monitoring data to judge this lake. Lower Kelly Lake is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
How deep is Lower Kelly Lake?
- Lower Kelly Lake has a maximum depth of 36 feet. The lake covers 3 acres.
What fish are in Lower Kelly Lake?
- Fish species found in Lower Kelly Lake include Panfish, Largemouth Bass. Lower Kelly Lake is located in Waukesha County, Wisconsin.
What did the DNR fisheries survey find at Lower Kelly Lake?
- Wisconsin DNR rates Panfish as abundant on Lower Kelly Lake. A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality does not assign an A–F grade on Lower Kelly Lake — official chemistry is on file, not a letter, and the water-quality trend over 3 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
Are there boat ramps on Lower Kelly Lake?
- Lower Kelly Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Durham Drive. Public access is listed as yes.
Explore Lower Kelly Lake across LakeQuality
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Where this data comes from
1 measurement from 1 monitoring station, 2025. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
WIDNR_WQX1 sample · 2025
Analytical methods
- Total Phosphorus After Block Digestion
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
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Fish and recreation data from Wisconsin DNR Lakes
Named boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory