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LakeQuality
D

Otter Lake

Oneida County, WisconsinLimited DataEutrophic

Otter Lake is a 135-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Oneida County, NY. Water quality is graded D based on 1 sampling years through 2020.

Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, local state DNR records, last sampled 2020-09-27. 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 6.6 ft. Trophic State Index: 50.

MetricValueGrade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)6.6 ftD
PhosphorusNo data
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)No data
Trophic State Index (TSI)50Eutrophic

High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity

Lake Details

CharacteristicValue
Surface Area135 acres

Location

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County Ranking

Ranked #1 of 1 lakes in Oneida County

Nearby Lakes in Oneida County

Reservoir Info (USACE NID)

Otter Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Otter Lake Dam (completed 1880), built primarily for recreation on the OTTER LAKE OUTLET; earth-type dam, 8 ft tall and 127 ft long.

Surface area
135 ac
Normal storage
269 ac-ft
Max storage
358 ac-ft
Hazard class
Low
Owner
NYS DEC

Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID NY00804 · Operator website

EPA Impairment Status

Otter Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2022 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).

Causes of impairment

pH / acidity

Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit NY0801-0407 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (2.06 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

Most recent sample: 2020-09-27

Monitoring stations: 1