Wesslyn Cut Lake
Perry County, IllinoisView mapDirections
Nutrients and algae run above the regional average.
- Eutrophic
- Impaired · Mercury
- #2 of 2 in the county
- Public access
- Limited data
Wesslyn Cut Lake in Perry County, Illinois has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Water clarity: 4.5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 119 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 19.3 µg/L.
- Clarity
- 4.5 ft
- Typical in October
- 61°F
- Type
- Eutrophic
- Public access
- Yes
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Stays near Wesslyn Cut Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Wesslyn Cut Lake in Perry County, Illinois — live availability and prices for your trip. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water. The water-quality grade measures nutrients and algae, not lodging — cabins and rentals around Wesslyn Cut Lake are listed below.
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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. 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 EPA, last sampled 2021-10-05. 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 D is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Wesslyn Cut Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for mercury, nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen). Check local advisories before you swim.
Water Quality Grade: D (Nutrient-rich)
Murky, only visible to about 4.5 ft. Phosphorus 119 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 19.3 µg/L. TSI 63. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 4.5 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 119 µg/L | Poor |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 19.3 µg/L | Fair |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 63 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Water Temperature
Wesslyn Cut Lake typically sits around 61°F at the surface in October. Summer average is about 61°F. 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 →
Fishing Wesslyn Cut Lake
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.
County Ranking
Ranked #2 of 2 lakes in Perry County
Nearby Lakes With Higher Grades
Wesslyn Cut Lake holds Grade D. One nearby lake has a higher nutrient-and-algae grade — useful for a swim day, not a reason to skip lodging here.
Nearby Lakes in Perry County
Frequently asked questions about Wesslyn Cut Lake
Where is Wesslyn Cut Lake?
- Wesslyn Cut Lake is a lake in Perry County, Illinois. LakeQuality grades it D for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for Wesslyn Cut Lake?
- Wesslyn Cut Lake in Perry County, Illinois has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Water clarity: 4.5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 119 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 19.3 µg/L.
Is Wesslyn Cut Lake safe to swim in?
- The D is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Wesslyn Cut Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for mercury, nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen). Check local advisories before you swim.
What is the water temperature of Wesslyn Cut Lake?
- Wesslyn Cut Lake typically sits around 61°F at the surface in October, from 414 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2016–2021). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
Explore Wesslyn Cut Lake across LakeQuality
More Illinois Lake Rankings
Other Grade D Lakes in Illinois
Eutrophic Lakes in Illinois
Where this data comes from
48 measurements from 3 monitoring stations, 2021. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- illinois epa
IL_EPA_WQX48 samples · 2021
Analytical methods
- MEASURED IN FIELD
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
- 10200 H 2 ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination by spectrophotometer
Monitoring station identifiers (3)
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
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)