Swimming Lakes Near Milwaukee
Wisconsin
2 lakes within driving distance of Milwaukee, Wisconsin pass the low-algae screen — favourable clarity and nutrient readings, low algae, and public access. 0 have direct bacteria (E. coli) testing on record. Filtered for the clearest, lowest-nutrient readings in the sampling record, low algae (chlorophyll-a under 15 µg/L), and public access. Not a swimming clearance: always check local advisories on the day you swim.
Milwaukee is not lake-dense: only 2 measured lakes are within easy reach. The cleanest of those measured is Lake Beulah.
Filtered for swimming, the nearby-lake list narrows further. swimming-specific signals, fish species, public access, depth profile, motor-boat congestion, interact with the water-quality readings in different ways depending on the use case.
| # | Lake | County | Bacteria | Distance | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake Beulah | Walworth | Low algae | 28.6 mi | 10 ft | 58 ft |
| 2 | Potter Lake | Walworth | Limited data | 27 mi | 4.3 ft | 26 ft |
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.