Is Houghton Lake Safe for Swimming?
Houghton Lake in Roscommon County, Michigan has nutrient and algae measurements on record from state and federal monitoring. A water-quality reading is not a swimming clearance. The state water agency and county health departments post current advisories; check them before you swim.. Water clarity: 5 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 14 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 2 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
Key Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 5 ft |
| Phosphorus | 14 μg/L |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 2 μg/L |
| Maximum Depth | 21 ft |
| Location | Roscommon County, Michigan |
How does Houghton Lake compare?
On nutrient and algae readings, Houghton Lake matches or beats the Michigan state average. It ranks #3 of 3 lakes in Roscommon County on nutrient and algae readings.
Water clarity (Secchi depth) sits at 5 feet. That falls into moderate clarity — typical for lakes with some nutrient enrichment. Algae levels (chlorophyll-a) measure 2 µg/L — low and well within safe swimming guidelines.
Stays via Stay22
Where to stay near Houghton Lake
Compare cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Houghton Lake in Roscommon County, Michigan. Live availability and prices for your nights. Switch the map to Satellite to see how close each stay is to the water.
Top-rated places to stay near Houghton Lake
Prices for Oct 16–18, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a trip to Houghton Lake?
Get lake water-quality updates plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Houghton Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Watch Houghton Lake water quality
Get an email when the clarity or algae readings change. Unsubscribe anytime.