Butternut 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 40 (Oligotrophic) and was determined using chlorophyll data. For a Two-Story lake, this is considered Excellent.

Butternut Lake has been monitored by volunteers since 1987. 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. 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
Butternut Lake - Butternut Lake	214020	Map	2023	Details
Butternut Lake - Site 1-Main Basin South Central	213070	Map	2015	Details
Butternut Lake - Site 2 Nw Main Basn	213071	Map	2015	Details
Butternut Lake - Site 3-Deep Hole	213137	Map	2024	Details
Butternut Lake - Site 4 East Lobe	213072	Map	1997	Details
Butternut Lake - Site 5 South Lobe	213073	Map	1997	Details