Forest Lake Water Quality

Water Quality

One measure of a lake’s health is the trophic state, which relates to the amount of algae in the water. The average summer trophic state for the last 5 years was 34 (Oligotrophic) and was determined using Secchi data. For a Two-Story lake, this is considered Excellent.

Forest Lake has been monitored by volunteers since 1990. Volunteers monitor water clarity with a black and white Secchi disk, and also sample water for phosphorous and nitrogen testing by the WI State Laboratory of Hygiene. Volunteers are the source of the majority of Wisconsin’s lake water quality data, and their dedication is greatly appreciated. Additional monitoring has been done through projects funded in part by DNR Aquatic Invasive Species Grants.

The reports summarizing this volunteer collected data can be found on the DNR Forest Lake Page.