Terra Park Lake is a mesotrophic lake in Polk County, Iowa. Water quality is graded A based on 2 sampling years through 2024. Water clarity is declining over recent sampling years. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 11 other monitored lakes in Polk County, Terra Park Lake ranks #1 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Iowa DNR, last sampled 2024-09-11. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
Good clarity, visible to about 11.5 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 4.7 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 44.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 11.5 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 4.7 µg/L | A |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 44 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Terra Park Lake
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Fishing Terra Park Lake
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -1.1 m/yr | 2 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -3.7 µg/L/yr | 2 |
Recreation & Access
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 12 lakes in Polk County
Nearby Lakes in Polk County
Explore Terra Park Lake across LakeGrade
More Iowa Lake Rankings
Other Grade A Lakes in Iowa
Mesotrophic Lakes in Iowa
More records, surveys & data sources
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
10 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Terra Park Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 2 facilities have a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Camp DodgeJohnston · 1.9 mi away · NPDES IA0063215Recent violation
- Saylorville Water Treatment PlantDes Moines · 3 mi away · NPDES IA0079847Recent violation
- Johnston, City Of MS4Johnston · 1 mi away · NPDES IA0078212
- Urbandale, City Of MS4Urbandale · 2.8 mi away · NPDES IA0078620
- Saylorville-Bob Shetler StpJohnston · 3.2 mi away · NPDES IA0065528
- Pepsi Beverages CompanyUrbandale · 3.6 mi away · NPDES IA0081035
Facilities permitted to discharge under the Clean Water Act within ~5 miles; proximity does not by itself mean a facility affects this lake. Source: EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES), as of 2026-07.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Most recent sample: 2024-09-11
Monitoring stations: 1