What is the water quality grade for Paradise Lake?

Paradise Lake in Coles County, Wisconsin received a water quality grade of F (Very Poor). Phosphorus: 139 µg/L. Surface area: 174 acres.

Is Paradise Lake safe to swim in?

Avoid swimming, very poor water quality, potential algae toxins. Paradise Lake has an overall water quality grade of F. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.

Paradise Lake

Coles County, WisconsinLimited DataHypereutrophic

Paradise Lake is a 174-acre highly nutrient-loaded hypereutrophic lake in Coles County, IL. Water quality is graded F based on 1 sampling years through 2021. Compared to the 1 other monitored lakes in Coles County, Paradise Lake ranks #2 for water quality.

Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, local state DNR records, last sampled 2021-10-07. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.

Swimming Safety

Avoid swimming, very poor water quality, potential algae toxins

Water Quality Grade: F, Very Poor

No clarity data. Phosphorus level: 139 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 75.

Metric	Value	Grade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)	No data
Phosphorus	139 µg/L	F
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)	No data
Trophic State Index (TSI)	75	Hypereutrophic

Very high nutrients, dense algae, poor clarity

Lake Details

Characteristic	Value
Surface Area	174 acres

Location

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County Ranking

Ranked #2 of 2 lakes in Coles County

Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles

Paradise Lake holds Grade F. One nearby lake has a higher grade.

D
Sara Lake
Effingham County · 22.1 mi · Higher grade (F → D)

See full comparison →

Nearby Lakes in Coles County

Charleston Side Channel Lake

More Wisconsin Lake Rankings

Cleanest lakes in Wisconsin

Top 25 by overall water quality score

Best swimming lakes in Wisconsin

Grade A/B + low algae filter

Family fishing lakes in Wisconsin

Panfish-rich, public access

All Wisconsin lakes

Full state directory

Other Grade F Lakes in Wisconsin

Lake Charlemagne

Cook County · Clarity: 2 ft

Bode Lake North

Cook County · Clarity: 1.5 ft

Great Lakes Quarries West

Cook County · Clarity: 2.5 ft

Bull Frog Lake

Cook County · Clarity: 3 ft

Belly Deep Slough Lake

Cook County · Clarity: 0.7 ft

Sauk Lake

Cook County · Clarity: 1 ft

Hypereutrophic Lakes in Wisconsin

Bode Lake North Belly Deep Slough Lake Sauk Lake Washington Park Lagoon Lake

Reservoir Info (USACE NID)

Paradise Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Paradise Lake Dam (completed 1929), built primarily for recreation on the LITTLE WABASH RIVER; earth-type dam, 46 ft tall and 1,400 ft long.

Surface area: 174 ac
Normal storage: 1,350 ac-ft
Max storage: 2,834 ac-ft
Drainage area: 16.9 sq mi
Hazard class: High
Owner: CITY OF MATTOON

All listed purposes: Recreation;Water Supply.

Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID IL00710 · Operator website

EPA Impairment Status

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

Causes of impairment

Algal growthMercuryMetals (other than mercury)Nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen)Oxygen depletion (low DO)pH / acidityTurbidity

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

Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit IL_RCG · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (0.81 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: 2021-10-07

Monitoring stations: 3