Unknown Lake
Grant County, WisconsinEutrophic
On the scoring rubric Unknown Lake grades a D: clarity at 7.9 ft and 136 µg/L of phosphorus keep it in the lower bracket for Grant County. Of the three parameters, phosphorus is the worst — at 136 µg/L of phosphorus, it keeps the lake susceptible to algal blooms in warm years.
A TSI in the eutrophic range signals a lake doing what nutrient-loaded waters do — supporting an active algal community at the cost of clear water. The lake's maximum depth is not yet documented in state morphometric records — context for its physical structure remains limited. The lake's surface area is not consistently recorded across state datasets — physical context remains partial. Within the 3 graded lakes of Grant County, Unknown Lake sits at rank 3, near the bottom of the county list.
No invasive species are currently listed at Unknown Lake — the lake remains off the Wisconsin infested-waters roster. The state fisheries records do not list documented species for Unknown Lake, which usually reflects a lack of formal fisheries survey work rather than an empty lake. Monitoring depth is thin here: the LakeGrade rubric is applied to a small number of sample years, and the grade will be revised as more data accumulates.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2022-10-27. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Swimming Safety
Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk
Water Quality Grade: D, Poor
Moderate clarity, visible to about 7.9 ft. Phosphorus level: 135.5 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 61.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 7.9 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | 135.5 µg/L | F |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 61 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #3 of 3 lakes in Grant County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Unknown Lake holds Grade D. 5 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- ABlack Hawk LakeIowa County · 16 mi · Two grade letters higher (D → A)
- AGoodwiler LakeIowa County · 4.1 mi · Two grade letters higher (D → A)
- ACruson Slough LakeRichland County · 13.2 mi · Two grade letters higher (D → A)
- BJones Slough LakeGrant County · 2.4 mi · Two grade letters higher (D → B)
- BKendal LakeIowa County · 5.9 mi · Two grade letters higher (D → B)
Nearby Lakes in Grant County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Unknown Lake
Other Grade D Lakes in Wisconsin
Eutrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2022-10-27
Monitoring stations: 2