Chittenden County Lake Quality
Vermont, 8 lakes, average grade B (Good)
Chittenden County has 8 graded lakes — a thin enough sample that one or two stressed lakes can move the county average noticeably. Use the per-lake pages below for what actually matters. The county-wide average lands at B — solid water quality with most lakes carrying clear summer transparency and low-to-moderate phosphorus.
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 Burlington Bay Lake (A); the most-stressed is Shelburne Pond (F).
Quick Answers for Chittenden County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Burlington Bay Lake — or check the official Vermont fishing regulations.
All Lakes in Chittenden County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Burlington Bay Lake | A | 14.8 ft | 9.4 µg/L |
| 2 | Malletts Bay Lake | A | 13.8 ft | 9.2 µg/L |
| 3 | Shelburne Bay Lake | A | 14.1 ft | 9.1 µg/L |
| 4 | Indian Brook Reservoir | B | 12.1 ft | 15.8 µg/L |
| 5 | Lake Iroquois | B | 11.8 ft | 18.2 µg/L |
| 6 | Colchester Pond | B | 8.9 ft | 17.2 µg/L |
| 7 | Gillett Pond | C | 3.1 ft | 25.8 µg/L |
| 8 | Shelburne Pond | F | 1.8 ft | 130 µg/L |
Other Counties in Vermont
See how Chittenden County stacks up in the national county water-quality rankings, or browse the full directory of graded lakes across all 17 states.
Where to stay near Chittenden County
Top-rated places to stay near Chittenden County
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 Chittenden County?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Chittenden County — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.