What is the water quality grade for Whiteside Lake?

Whiteside Lake in Lincoln County, Wisconsin received a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 3.3 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 26 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 14.7 µg/L. Surface area: 20 acres.

Is Whiteside Lake safe to swim in?

Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality. Whiteside Lake has an overall water quality grade of C. Algae concentration (chlorophyll-a) is 14.7 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.

Whiteside Lake

Lincoln County, WisconsinEutrophic

Whiteside Lake is a 20-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Lincoln County, MO. Water quality is graded C based on 3 sampling years through 2024. Compared to the 1 other monitored lakes in Lincoln County, Whiteside Lake ranks #2 for water quality.

Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, local state DNR records, last sampled 2024-05-03. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.

Swimming Safety

Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality

Water Quality Grade: C, Fair

Very murky, less than 3.3 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 26 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 14.7 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 56.

Metric	Value	Grade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)	3.3 ft	F
Phosphorus	26 µg/L	B
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)	14.7 µg/L	C
Trophic State Index (TSI)	56	Eutrophic

High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity

Lake Details

Characteristic	Value
Surface Area	20 acres

Location

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County Ranking

Ranked #2 of 2 lakes in Lincoln County

Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles

Whiteside Lake holds Grade C. 5 nearby lakes hold higher grades.

See full comparison →

Nearby Lakes in Lincoln County

Innsbrook Lake Nr. Dam

Warren County

Castlenovo Lake

Warren County

More Wisconsin Lake Rankings

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Top 25 by overall water quality score

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Grade A/B + low algae filter

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Panfish-rich, public access

All Wisconsin lakes

Full state directory

Other Grade C Lakes in Wisconsin

Aspen Lake Along Southern Arm

Warren County · Clarity: 3.8 ft

Mark Twain Lake by Hwy J

Ralls County · Clarity: 3.7 ft

Red Fox Lake

Warren County · Clarity: 3.3 ft

Waukomis Lake

Platte County · Clarity: 4.7 ft

Table Rock L. Nr. Greens Hollow Lake

Barry County · Clarity: 5 ft

Little Prairie Lake by Dam

Phelps County · Clarity: 4.9 ft

Eutrophic Lakes in Wisconsin

Aspen Lake Along Southern Arm Boathouse Lake Hunnewell Lake Long Branch Lk. Lake

Reservoir Info (USACE NID)

Whiteside Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the White Lake Dam (completed 1980), built primarily for recreation on the MILL CREEK TRIBUTARY; earth-type dam, 40 ft tall and 1,000 ft long.

Surface area: 20 ac
Normal storage: 205 ac-ft
Max storage: 458 ac-ft
Drainage area: 0.5 sq mi
Hazard class: High
Owner: MO DEPT OF CONSERVATION

Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID MO12220 · Operator website · Matched by proximity (0.07 km)

Data Sources

Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal

Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards

Most recent sample: 2024-05-03

Monitoring stations: 1