Prairie Oaks Pond
Prairie Oaks Pond in Dane County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Phosphorus: 350.5 µg/L.
- Type
- Hypereutrophic
- Trend
- ↑ Improving
Grade D measures nutrients and algae, not whether this is a good place for a cabin trip. Cabins and rentals near Prairie Oaks Pond →
Next lake in Dane County
Prairie Oaks Pond is a highly nutrient-loaded hypereutrophic lake in Dane County, Wisconsin. Water quality is graded D based on 1 sampling years through 2021. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. Compared to the 14 other monitored lakes in Dane County, Prairie Oaks Pond ranks #14 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2021-10-05. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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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.
Nutrients and algae run higher than average — check local advisories before swimming, and skip the water if you see scum
Water Quality Grade: D (Nutrient-rich)
No clarity data. Phosphorus level: 350.5 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 89.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | No recent samples | |
| Phosphorus | 350.5 µg/L | Poor |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No recent samples | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 89 | Hypereutrophic |
Very high nutrients, dense algae, poor clarity
Where to stay near Prairie Oaks Pond
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Prairie Oaks Pond in Dane County, Wisconsin — 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 Prairie Oaks Pond are listed below.
Top-rated places to stay near Prairie Oaks Pond
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Fishing Prairie Oaks Pond
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -132 µg/L/yr | 2 |
County Ranking
Ranked #14 of 15 lakes in Dane County
Nearby Lakes in Dane County
Frequently asked questions about Prairie Oaks Pond
What is the water quality grade for Prairie Oaks Pond?
- Prairie Oaks Pond in Dane County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Phosphorus: 350.5 µg/L.
Is Prairie Oaks Pond safe to swim in?
- Nutrients and algae run higher than average — check local advisories before swimming, and skip the water if you see scum. Prairie Oaks Pond has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
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Where this data comes from
7 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2020–2021. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
WIDNR_WQX7 samples · 2020–2021
Analytical methods
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
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.