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D

Milwaukee Harbor Estuary Lake

Milwaukee County, WisconsinLimited DataEutrophic

On the scoring rubric Milwaukee Harbor Estuary Lake grades a D: clarity at 3.8 ft and phosphorus readings still being added keep it in the lower bracket for Milwaukee County. Sub-grades cluster within a single letter of each other, which usually means the lake is in stable trophic balance rather than fighting one specific stressor.

At a TSI of 58, Milwaukee Harbor Estuary Lake reads as eutrophic — nutrient-rich enough that summer algal growth and reduced clarity are expected, not unusual. The lake's maximum depth is not yet documented in state morphometric records — context for its physical structure remains limited. The lake's surface area is not consistently recorded across state datasets — physical context remains partial. Milwaukee Harbor Estuary Lake ranks 13 of 14 in Milwaukee County — at the lower end of the locally monitored distribution.

Milwaukee Harbor Estuary Lake has no invasive species recorded in Wisconsin state databases as of 2025, though prevention practices still apply at all access points. The state fisheries records do not list documented species for Milwaukee Harbor Estuary Lake, which usually reflects a lack of formal fisheries survey work rather than an empty lake. Monitoring depth is thin here: the LakeGrade rubric is applied to a small number of sample years, and the grade will be revised as more data accumulates.

Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2025-11-04. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.

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Swimming Safety

Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk

Water Quality Grade: D, Poor

Murky, only visible to about 3.8 ft. Trophic State Index: 58.

MetricValueGrade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)3.8 ftD
PhosphorusNo data
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)No data
Trophic State Index (TSI)58Eutrophic

High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity

Water Quality Trend: Declining

Based on 6 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).

MetricTrendChange/YearYears
Water Clarity Declining-0.097 m/yr6
Chlorophyll-a Declining+7.63 µg/L/yr6
See year-by-year chart →

Recreation & Access

1
Boat Landings
Yes
Public Access

Location

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County Ranking

Ranked #13 of 14 lakes in Milwaukee County

Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles

Milwaukee Harbor Estuary Lake holds Grade D. 5 nearby lakes hold higher grades.

Nearby Lakes in Milwaukee County

State Parks Near Milwaukee Harbor Estuary Lake

EPA Impairment Status

Milwaukee Harbor Estuary Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).

Causes of impairment

Metals (other than mercury)Pathogens (E. coli, fecal)PCBs

A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.

Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit WI10008753 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (0.57 km)

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

Fish and recreation data from Wisconsin DNR Lakes

Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory

Most recent sample: 2025-11-04

Monitoring stations: 1

Where to stay near Milwaukee Harbor Estuary Lake

Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Milwaukee Harbor Estuary Lake in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin — live availability and prices for your trip.

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