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LakeQuality
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Nc Cheq Bay Lake

Ashland County, WisconsinLimited DataOligotrophic

Nc Cheq Bay Lake sits at the top of the Wisconsin DNR grading rubric with an A, a mark reached by the cleanest lakes in Wisconsin. 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.

Trophically, Nc Cheq Bay Lake reads as oligotrophic — nutrient-poor, clear, and ecologically more sensitive to disturbance than richer lakes. 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. Among the 10 graded lakes in Ashland County, Nc Cheq Bay Lake sits at rank 4, above the county median.

Nc Cheq Bay 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 Nc Cheq Bay Lake, which usually reflects a lack of formal fisheries survey work rather than an empty lake. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.

Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2025-06-24. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.

Swimming Safety

Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae

Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent

No clarity data. Phosphorus level: 8.3 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 35.

MetricValueGrade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)No data
Phosphorus8.3 µg/LA
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)No data
Trophic State Index (TSI)35Oligotrophic

Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming

Water Quality Trend: Declining

Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).

MetricTrendChange/YearYears
Phosphorus Declining+0.97 µg/L/yr3
See year-by-year chart →

Location

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County Ranking

Ranked #4 of 10 lakes in Ashland County

Nearby Lakes in Ashland County

Data Sources

Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal

Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards

Fish and recreation data from Wisconsin DNR Lakes

Most recent sample: 2025-06-24

Monitoring stations: 1