Potter'S Lake
Douglas County, KansasView mapDirections
Nutrients and algae run above the regional average.
↓ down from C at the last regrade
- Eutrophic
- Impaired · Nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen)
- #3 of 4 in the county
- Limited data
Potter'S Lake in Douglas County, Kansas has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Water clarity: 4.4 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 45 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 26.5 µg/L.
- Clarity
- 4.4 ft
- Type
- Eutrophic
- Phosphorus
- 45 µg/L
- Chlorophyll-a
- 26.5 µg/L
- Trend
- ↑ Improving
Stays via Stay22
Stays near Potter'S Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Potter'S Lake in Douglas County, Kansas — live availability and prices for your trip. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water. The water-quality grade measures nutrients and algae, not lodging — cabins and rentals around Potter'S Lake are listed below.
Top-rated places to stay near Potter'S Lake
Prices for Sep 11–13, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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Watch Potter'S Lake’s letter
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Potter'S Lake is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Douglas County, Kansas. Water quality is graded D based on 1 sampling years through 2017. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. Compared to the 3 other monitored lakes in Douglas County, Potter'S Lake ranks #3 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, KDHE, last sampled 2017-07-25. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
Swimming Safety
Grade onlyLimited data
Based on clarity and algae grades from past sampling — we do not hold live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
The D is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Potter'S Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 4A) for nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen). Check local advisories before you swim.
Water Quality Grade: D (Nutrient-rich)
Murky, only visible to about 4.4 ft. Phosphorus 45 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 26.5 µg/L. TSI 59. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 4.4 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 45 µg/L | Not graded |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 26.5 µg/L | Poor |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 59 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Fishing Potter'S Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.15 m/yr | 2 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -5.25 µg/L/yr | 3 |
EPA Impairment Status
Potter'S Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 4A).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit KS-LM073401 · Official waterbody report
County Ranking
Ranked #3 of 4 lakes in Douglas County
Nearby Lakes in Douglas County
Frequently asked questions about Potter'S Lake
Where is Potter'S Lake?
- Potter'S Lake is a lake in Douglas County, Kansas. LakeQuality grades it D for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for Potter'S Lake?
- Potter'S Lake in Douglas County, Kansas has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Water clarity: 4.4 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 45 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 26.5 µg/L.
Is Potter'S Lake safe to swim in?
- The D is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Potter'S Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 4A) for nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen). Check local advisories before you swim.
Explore Potter'S Lake across LakeQuality
More Kansas Lake Rankings
Other Grade D Lakes in Kansas
Eutrophic Lakes in Kansas
Where this data comes from
51 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2012–2017. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Kansas Department Of Health And Environment
21KAN001_WQX51 samples · 2012–2017
Analytical methods
- Depth, Secchi disk depth
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
- 10200 H ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
Grade thresholds from the EPA National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See how grades are calculated and data sources.
Other records on this page
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database