Wesslyn Cut Lake is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Perry County, Illinois. Water quality is graded D based on 2 sampling years through 2021. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 1 other monitored lakes in Perry County, Wesslyn Cut Lake ranks #2 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Illinois DNR, last sampled 2021-10-05. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk
Water Quality Grade: D, Poor
Murky, only visible to about 4.5 ft. Phosphorus level: 109 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 64.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 4.5 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | 109 µg/L | F |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 64 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Wesslyn Cut Lake
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Fishing Wesslyn Cut Lake
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Wesslyn Cut Lake averages about 61°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 62°F) and coldest in Apr (about 53°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 414 field readings (2016–2021) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Wesslyn Cut Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #2 of 2 lakes in Perry County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Wesslyn Cut Lake holds Grade D. 3 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- BBoulder South LakePerry County · 1.1 mi · Two grade letters higher (D → B)
- DSparta Northwest LakeRandolph County · 18.4 mi · Higher overall water quality score
- DRandolph LakeRandolph County · 21.1 mi · Higher overall water quality score
Nearby Lakes in Perry County
Explore Wesslyn Cut Lake across LakeGrade
More Illinois Lake Rankings
Other Grade D Lakes in Illinois
Eutrophic Lakes in Illinois
More records, surveys & data sources
EPA Impairment Status
Wesslyn Cut Lake 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 IL_RNZA · Official waterbody report
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
3 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Wesslyn Cut Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 2 facilities have a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Pinckneyville Stp 2 East, City OfPinckneyville · 4.4 mi away · NPDES IL0071650Recent violation
- Pinckneyville - Stp 1, City OfPinckneyville · 4.5 mi away · NPDES IL0021997Recent violation
- Il Dnr-Pyramid MinePinckneyville · 0.8 mi away · NPDES IL0048623
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
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
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: 2021-10-05
Monitoring stations: 3