Silver Lake West Basin
Columbia County, WisconsinMesotrophic
Silver Lake West Basin carries a solid B grade — strong on most parameters, with measurements that hold up well across the summer season. With clarity and phosphorus scored, the sub-grades cluster within a letter of each other, pointing to stable conditions rather than one specific stressor.
A TSI near 48 places Silver Lake West Basin in the mesotrophic band — moderate productivity, with seasonal swings between clearer spring water and richer late-summer conditions. The lake bottoms out at 42 ft — a moderate depth that supports a warm-water fishery without the year-round cold refuge a deeper basin provides. At 70 acres, Silver Lake West Basin sits below the Wisconsin median: a small water where shoreline activity has an outsized effect on water quality. Silver Lake West Basin ranks 2 of 10 in Columbia County, putting it in the upper tier of locally monitored lakes.
Eurasian watermilfoil is established at Silver Lake West Basin, which can dampen recreational access and pressure the native plant community. Walleye are documented at Silver Lake West Basin, one of 5 fish species on record for the lake. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2022-08-11. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Track Silver Lake West Basin
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Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Moderate clarity, visible to about 8.8 ft. Phosphorus level: 23.2 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 48.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 8.8 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | 23.2 µg/L | B |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 48 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 42 ft |
| Surface Area | 70 acres |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Wisconsin and Minnesota lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Silver Lake West Basin (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Silver Lake West Basin? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Silver Lake West Basin fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Invasive & Introduced Species
Red chips are ecologically harmful invasive species. Gray chips are stocked or introduced fish that aren't a current ecological concern.
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -3.5 m/yr | 3 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -5.3 µg/L/yr | 3 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #2 of 10 lakes in Columbia County
Nearby Lakes in Columbia County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Silver Lake West Basin
Other Grade B Lakes in Wisconsin
Mesotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. 2 stations on file (most recent sample 2022).
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
EPA Impairment Status
Silver Lake West Basin is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit WI10033580 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (2.39 km)
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2022-08-11
Monitoring stations: 1