Rathbun Lake
Appanoose County, WisconsinEutrophic
Rathbun Lake is a 11,013-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Appanoose County, IA. Water quality is graded D based on 2 sampling years through 2024.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, local state DNR records, last sampled 2024-09-17. 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. Chlorophyll-a: 15.3 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 59.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 3 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 15.3 µg/L | C |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 59 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 11.0K acres |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 1 lakes in Appanoose County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Rathbun Lake holds Grade D. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Appanoose County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
Other Grade D Lakes in Wisconsin
Eutrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Rathbun Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Rathbun Dam (completed 1969), built primarily for flood risk reduction on the CHARITON RIVER; earth-type dam, 100 ft tall and 10,120 ft long.
- Surface area
- 11,013 ac
- Normal storage
- 205,359 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 552,000 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 549 sq mi
- Hazard class
- High
- Owner
- USACE - Kansas City District
All listed purposes: Flood Risk Reduction;Other;Navigation;Fish and Wildlife Pond;Recreation.
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID IA00016 · Operator website
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2024-09-17
Monitoring stations: 1