South Golden Lake
Steele County, WisconsinEutrophic
South Golden Lake is a 330-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Steele County, ND. Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2020. Compared to the 2 other monitored lakes in Steele County, South Golden Lake ranks #2 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, local state DNR records, last sampled 2020-10-07. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Murky, only visible to about 6.2 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 12.2 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 53.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 6.2 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 12.2 µg/L | C |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 53 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 330 acres |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #2 of 3 lakes in Steele County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
South Golden Lake holds Grade C. 2 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- BLake AshtabulaBarnes County · 29.7 mi · Higher grade (C → B)
- CCarlson-Tande Dam LakeGriggs County · 22.2 mi · Higher overall water quality score
Nearby Lakes in Steele County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in Wisconsin
Eutrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
South Golden Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Golden Lake Dam (completed 1957), built primarily for recreation on the Beaver Creek; earth-type dam, 21 ft tall.
- Surface area
- 330 ac
- Normal storage
- 5,000 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 5,000 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 0 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Low
- Owner
- ND Game & Fish
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID ND00409 · Operator website · Matched by proximity (0.26 km)
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2020-10-07
Monitoring stations: 1