What is the water quality grade for Moorehead Lake?

Moorehead Lake in Ida County, Wisconsin received a water quality grade of D (Poor). Water clarity: 3.7 ft visibility. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 20.7 µg/L. Surface area: 10.9 acres.

Is Moorehead Lake safe to swim in?

Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk. Moorehead Lake has an overall water quality grade of D. Algae concentration (chlorophyll-a) is 20.7 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.

Moorehead Lake

Ida County, WisconsinEutrophic

Moorehead Lake is a 11-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Ida County, IA. Water quality is graded D based on 2 sampling years through 2024. Compared to the 1 other monitored lakes in Ida County, Moorehead Lake ranks #1 for water quality.

Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, local state DNR records, last sampled 2024-09-03. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.

Swimming Safety

Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk

Water Quality Grade: D, Poor

Murky, only visible to about 3.7 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 20.7 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 59.

Metric	Value	Grade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)	3.7 ft	D
Phosphorus	No data
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)	20.7 µg/L	D
Trophic State Index (TSI)	59	Eutrophic

High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity

Lake Details

Characteristic	Value
Surface Area	10.9 acres

Location

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County Ranking

Ranked #1 of 2 lakes in Ida County

Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles

Moorehead Lake holds Grade D. 3 nearby lakes hold higher grades.

See full comparison →

Nearby Lakes in Ida County

Crawford Creek Lake

Ida County

Little Sioux Park Lake

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Reservoir Info (USACE NID)

Moorehead Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Moorhead Pioneer Park Dam (completed 1966), built primarily for fire protection, stock, or small fish pond on the TR-MAPLE RIVER; earth-type dam, 36 ft tall and 594 ft long.

Surface area: 10.9 ac
Normal storage: 107 ac-ft
Max storage: 186 ac-ft
Drainage area: 0.85 sq mi
Hazard class: Low
Owner: Ida County Conservation Board

All listed purposes: Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond;Recreation.

Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID IA00502 · Operator website · Matched by proximity (0.07 km)

Data Sources

Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal

Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards

Most recent sample: 2024-09-03

Monitoring stations: 1