Guilford County Lake Quality
North Carolina, 5 lakes, average grade D (Poor)
Only 5 lakes in Guilford County carry an active grade. The county-level summary is therefore representative of those specific lakes, not necessarily of every water body in the county. On average, Guilford County lakes grade D, with phosphorus loading and reduced clarity showing up across most of the dataset.
The county's lakes lean shallow, which makes the grades sensitive to wind, sediment-resuspension, and any nutrient inputs from the watershed. The cleanest lake on the books is Lake Mackintosh (C); the most-stressed is Lake Brandt (D).
Quick Answers for Guilford County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Lake Mackintosh — or check the official North Carolina fishing regulations.
All Lakes in Guilford County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake Mackintosh | C | 3.9 ft | 30 µg/L |
| 2 | Lake Townsend | D | 3.5 ft | 40 µg/L |
| 3 | Lake Brandt | D | 3 ft | 40 µg/L |
| 4 | High Point Lake | D | 3 ft | 40 µg/L |
| 5 | Lake Higgins | D | 3 ft | 35 µg/L |
Other Counties in North Carolina
See how Guilford County stacks up in the national county water-quality rankings, or browse the full directory of graded lakes across all 12 states.
Where to stay near Guilford County
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.