Shell Lake

Water Quality

One measure of a lakes 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 45 (Mesotrophic) and was determined using chlorophyll data. For a Shallow Seepage lake, this is considered Good. Shallow Seepage lakes do not stratify, or form separate layers of water, during the summer months and have no inlet or outlet.

Shell Lake has been monitored by volunteers since 1988. Volunteers monitor water clarity with a black and white Secchi disk. Some also collect water samples, which are sent to the State Lab of Hygiene to be analyzed. Volunteers are the source of the majority of Wisconsin's lake water quality data, and their dedication is greatly appreciated. Shell Lake is also part of DNR's long term trend monitoring project. Additional monitoring has been done through projects funded in part by DNR Lake Grants and Aquatic Invasive Species Grants. Reports and graphs featuring data collected by volunteers, DNR staff and others can be viewed below.

Water Quality Reports and Graphs

Station Name	Station ID	Map	Max Year	Reports
Shell Lake	664043	Map	1979	Details
Shell Lake - Deep Hole	663010	Map	2024	Details
Shell Lake Northeast Site	10041526	Map	2009	Details
Shell Lake Northwest Site 1	10041524	Map	2009	Details
Shell Lake Northwest Site 2	10041525	Map	2009	Details
Shell Lake Southcentral Site	10041528	Map	2009	Details
Shell Lake Southeast Site	10041527	Map	2009	Details
Shell Lake Southwest Site	10041529	Map	2009	Details