Silver Lake Max Depth is a 39-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Delaware County, Iowa. Water quality is graded F based on 2 sampling years through 2024. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 4 public boat landings.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Iowa DNR, last sampled 2024-10-21. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Silver Lake Max Depth water quality
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Swimming Safety
Avoid swimming, very poor water quality, potential algae toxins
Water Quality Grade: F, Very Poor
Very murky, less than 2.4 ft of visibility. Chlorophyll-a: 37.6 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 65.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 2.4 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 37.6 µg/L | F |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 65 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 39 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near Silver Lake Max Depth
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Silver Lake Max Depth in Delaware County, Iowa — 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.
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Fishing Silver Lake Max Depth
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 4 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | → Stable | +0.015 m/yr | 4 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↓ Declining | +21.39 µg/L/yr | 4 |
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Silver Lake Max Depth averages about 76°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 80°F) and coldest in Sep (about 71°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 26 field readings (2010–2023) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Silver Lake Max Depth water temperature breakdown →
Location & Depth Map
Free interactive depth-contour map of Silver Lake Max Depth, reaching a maximum surveyed depth of 16 ft. Toggle Depth contours to overlay the bathymetric survey lines. Contour data from Iowa DNR.
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 1 lakes in Delaware County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Silver Lake Max Depth holds Grade F. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Delaware County
Explore Silver Lake Max Depth across LakeGrade
More Iowa Lake Rankings
Other Grade F Lakes in Iowa
Eutrophic Lakes in Iowa
More records, surveys & data sources
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Silver Lake Max Depth is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Silver Lake Dam (completed 1948), built primarily for recreation on the TR-MAQUOKETA RIVER; earth-type dam, 25 ft tall and 200 ft long.
- Surface area
- 39 ac
- Normal storage
- 210 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 415 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 0.4 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Low
- Owner
- Delaware County Conservation Board
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID IA02035 · Operator website · Matched by proximity (0.15 km)
EPA Impairment Status
Silver Lake Max Depth 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 IA 01-MAQ-17 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (0.27 km)
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Most recent sample: 2024-10-21
Monitoring stations: 1