Is Freezeout Lake Polluted?
Yes — Freezeout Lake in Teton County, Montana is on the EPA's Clean Water Act 303(d) impaired-waters list (2021 assessment cycle). It is cited for Metals (other than mercury), Noxious aquatic plants, Nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen), Salinity / chlorides. A formal cleanup plan — a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) — has been written. "Impaired" is a legal designation, separate from the lake's EPA condition class water-quality readings: it means at least one designated use (such as swimming, aquatic life, or fish consumption) does not meet state standards for the listed pollutant.
EPA 303(d) Listing
| On 303(d) impaired list | Yes |
| Cleanup plan (TMDL) | Completed |
| Assessment cycle | 2021 |
| EPA IR category | 5 |
| Uses not supported | Drinking water, Aquatic life, Recreation, Other |
| EPA names this lake in the listing | Yes |
| Location | Teton County, Montana |
Pollutants Cited
- Metals (other than mercury) — listed by EPA as exceeding water-quality standards for at least one designated use.
- Noxious aquatic plants — listed by EPA as exceeding water-quality standards for at least one designated use.
- Nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen) — Excess phosphorus and nitrogen fuel algae growth and summer blooms. This is the classic agricultural-runoff and shoreline-development impairment, and the one most likely to affect swimming via blue-green algae.
- Salinity / chlorides — listed by EPA as exceeding water-quality standards for at least one designated use.
Specific parameters in the EPA record: Aquatic Plants (Macrophytes), Phosphorus, Total, Selenium, Sulfate, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS).
What this means for using Freezeout Lake
Because Freezeout Lake is listed for Nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen), swimming can be affected — check for posted beach advisories, especially after heavy rain or during visible algae. An impairment listing does not mean the lake is closed — most impaired lakes remain open for boating and swimming. It means a specific pollutant exceeds a standard for a specific use. See the full breakdown on the lake report. The official EPA assessment is available in the ATTAINS waterbody report.
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