Newell Pit Lake is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Buena Vista County, Iowa. Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2022. Water clarity is improving over recent sampling years. Compared to the 2 other monitored lakes in Buena Vista County, Newell Pit Lake ranks #1 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Iowa DNR, last sampled 2022-09-12. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Murky, only visible to about 4.1 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 12 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 56.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 4.1 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 12 µg/L | C |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 56 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Newell Pit Lake
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Top-rated places to stay near Newell Pit Lake
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Fishing Newell Pit Lake
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.25 m/yr | 3 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↓ Declining | +1.8 µg/L/yr | 3 |
Water Temperature
Newell Pit Lake averages about 77°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 80°F) and coldest in Jun (about 73°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 8 field readings (2018–2022) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Newell Pit Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 3 lakes in Buena Vista County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Newell Pit Lake holds Grade C. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Buena Vista County
Explore Newell Pit Lake across LakeGrade
More Iowa Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in Iowa
Eutrophic Lakes in Iowa
More records, surveys & data sources
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
1 EPA-permitted facility operate within about 5 miles of Newell Pit Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits.
- Newell, City Of StpNewell · 2.7 mi away · NPDES IA0021989
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.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2022-09-12
Monitoring stations: 1