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Lake Ripley
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 48 (Mesotrophic) and was determined using chlorophyll data. For a Deep Lowland lake, this is considered Good. Deep Lowland lakes stratify, or form separate layers of water, during the summer months and have watersheds greater than 4 square miles in area.
Lake Ripley has been monitored by volunteers since 1989. 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. Lake Ripley 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