Balsam 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 Secchi data. For a Shallow Lowland lake, this is considered Excellent. Shallow Lowland lakes do not stratify, or form separate layers of water, during the summer months and have watersheds greater than 4 square miles in area.

Balsam Lake has been monitored by volunteers since 1987. Volunteers monitor water clarity with a black and white Secchi disk. 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
Balsam Lake - Deep Hole	493121	Map	2005	Details
Balsam Lake - Deep Hole Off Cedar Island - Main Basin Site #1	493056	Map	2023	Details
Balsam Lake - NE [Herbicide Sampling Site 2]	10042104	Map	2015	Details
Balsam Lake - NW [Herbicide Sampling Site 1]	10042103	Map	2015	Details
Balsam Lake - Off Rock Island - East Basin - Site 3	493058	Map	2022	Details
Balsam Lake - S [Herbicide Sampling Site 5]	10043384	Map	2015	Details
Balsam Lake - S side of lake near 130th St. (S3)	10029965	Map	2010	Details
Balsam Lake - SE [Herbicide Sampling Site 4]	10042106	Map	2015	Details
Balsam Lake - SW [Herbicide Sampling Site 3]	10042105	Map	2015	Details
Balsam Lake - West Basin (S4)	10029966	Map	2010	Details
Balsam Lake - near 183rd Ave (S2)	10029964	Map	2010	Details
Balsam Lake Little Balsam Site #2 - Off Little Narrows	493057	Map	2023	Details
Balsam Lake near Kemoh Park Ln (S5)	10029967	Map	2023	Details