What is the water quality grade for Prairie Lee Lake Nr. Dam?

Prairie Lee Lake Nr. Dam in Jackson County, Wisconsin received a water quality grade of D (Poor). Water clarity: 3 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 43 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 18.5 µg/L. Surface area: 300 acres.

Is Prairie Lee Lake Nr. Dam safe to swim in?

Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk. Prairie Lee Lake Nr. Dam has an overall water quality grade of D. Algae concentration (chlorophyll-a) is 18.5 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.

Prairie Lee Lake Nr. Dam

Jackson County, WisconsinEutrophic

Prairie Lee Lake Nr. Dam is a 300-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Jackson County, MO. Water quality is graded D based on 3 sampling years through 2024. Compared to the 26 other monitored lakes in Jackson County, Prairie Lee Lake Nr. Dam ranks #6 for water quality.

Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, local state DNR records, last sampled 2024-09-20. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.

Swimming Safety

Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk

Water Quality Grade: D, Poor

Very murky, less than 3 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 43 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 18.5 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 60.

Metric	Value	Grade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)	3 ft	F
Phosphorus	43 µg/L	C
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)	18.5 µg/L	C
Trophic State Index (TSI)	60	Eutrophic

High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity

Lake Details

Characteristic	Value
Surface Area	300 acres

Location

Loading map…

County Ranking

Ranked #6 of 27 lakes in Jackson County

Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles

Prairie Lee Lake Nr. Dam holds Grade D. 2 nearby lakes hold higher grades.

See full comparison →

Nearby Lakes in Jackson County

Longview L. Nr. Dam Lake

Jackson County

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 D Lakes in Wisconsin

Boathouse Lake

St. Louis city County · Clarity: 2.3 ft

Hunnewell Lake

Shelby County · Clarity: 3.2 ft

Long Branch Lk. Lake

Macon County · Clarity: 1.8 ft

Harrison County Lake Intake

Harrison County · Clarity: 1.7 ft

Table Rock L. Bl. Hwy. 173 Lake

Stone County · Clarity: 2.3 ft

Henry Sever Lake

Knox County · Clarity: 2.1 ft

Eutrophic Lakes in Wisconsin

Aspen Lake Along Southern Arm Boathouse Lake Hunnewell Lake Long Branch Lk. Lake

Reservoir Info (USACE NID)

Prairie Lee Lake Nr. Dam is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Prairie Lee Lake Dam (completed 1939), built primarily for recreation on the EAST FORK LITTLE BLUE RIVER; earth-type dam, 69 ft tall and 980 ft long.

Surface area: 300 ac
Normal storage: 2,500 ac-ft
Max storage: 6,000 ac-ft
Drainage area: 15 sq mi
Hazard class: High
Owner: JACKSON COPARKS & REC

Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID MO10044 · Operator website · Matched by proximity (0.09 km)

Data Sources

Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal

Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards

Most recent sample: 2024-09-20

Monitoring stations: 1