Squaw Creek Reservoir
Washoe County, Nevada48 acresView mapDirections
Nutrients and algae sit mid-range for this region.
↓ down from B at the last regrade
- Eutrophic
- Impaired · Metals (other than mercury)
- #3 of 10 in the county
- Limited data
Squaw Creek Reservoir in Washoe County, Nevada has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Phosphorus: 60 µg/L. Surface area: 48 acres.
- Area
- 48 acres
- Type
- Eutrophic
- Phosphorus
- 60 µg/L
- Trend
- ↑ Improving
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Watch Squaw Creek Reservoir’s letter
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Squaw Creek Reservoir is a 48-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Washoe County, Nevada. Water quality is graded C based on 1 sampling years through 2021. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. Compared to the 9 other monitored lakes in Washoe County, Squaw Creek Reservoir ranks #3 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, NDEP, last sampled 2021-07-08. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
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.
The C is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Squaw Creek Reservoir is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for metals (other than mercury), nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen), oxygen depletion (low DO). Check local advisories before you swim.
Water Quality Grade: C (Fair)
No clarity data. Phosphorus 60 µg/L. TSI 63. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | No recent samples | |
| Phosphorus | 60 µg/L | Fair |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No recent samples | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 63 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 48 acres |
No bathymetric survey has been published for Squaw Creek Reservoir, so its depth is not documented here.
Fishing Squaw Creek Reservoir
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -22.86 µg/L/yr | 3 |
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Squaw Creek Reservoir is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Squaw Creek Dam, built primarily for irrigation on the Squaw Creek; earth-type dam, 65 ft tall and 560 ft long.
- Surface area
- 48 ac
- Normal storage
- 1,200 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 1,450 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 58 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Significant
- Owner
- BRIGHT HOLLAND CO. (TODD JAKSICK)
All listed purposes: Irrigation;Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond;Recreation.
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID NV00036 · Operator website
EPA Impairment Status
Squaw Creek Reservoir is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2022 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit NV02-BL-02-B_00 · Official waterbody report
County Ranking
Ranked #3 of 10 lakes in Washoe County
Nearby Lakes in Washoe County
Frequently asked questions about Squaw Creek Reservoir
Where is Squaw Creek Reservoir?
- Squaw Creek Reservoir is a lake in Washoe County, Nevada. LakeQuality grades it C for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for Squaw Creek Reservoir?
- Squaw Creek Reservoir in Washoe County, Nevada has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Phosphorus: 60 µg/L. Surface area: 48 acres.
Is Squaw Creek Reservoir safe to swim in?
- The C is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Squaw Creek Reservoir is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for metals (other than mercury), nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen), oxygen depletion (low DO). Check local advisories before you swim.
Explore Squaw Creek Reservoir across LakeQuality
4 thermal springs within 19.3 mi, nearest Fly Ranch (Wards) Hot Springs
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
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Where this data comes from
6 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2018–2021. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Nevada Division of Environmental Protection
21NEV1_WQX6 samples · 2018–2021
Analytical methods
- 4500 P E ~ Phosphorus by Ascorbic Acid
- Phosphorus by Two Reagent Colorimetry
- 2130 B ~ Nephelometric Method
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.
Other records on this page
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database