Apache Lake
Maricopa County, ArizonaView mapDirections
Not enough samples to grade — no nutrient or algae measurement meets the evidence bar (at least 3 samples within 10 years). No letter yet. Here is what we do have.
- Impaired · Mercury
- Public access
- Limited data
Apache Lake in Maricopa County, Arizona is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar.
- Trend
- ↓ Declining
- Public access
- Yes
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Stays near Apache Lake
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Watch Apache Lake’s letter
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Why Apache Lake has no grade
We grade a lake only when the monitoring record supports a letter: at least three phosphorus or chlorophyll-a samples in the last ten years, scored against EPA National Lakes Assessment thresholds for this lake’s ecoregion. For Apache Lake, no nutrient or algae measurement meets the evidence bar (at least 3 samples within 10 years).
Not Rated is not an F. It is EPA Integrated Reporting Category 3 — insufficient information. The water here may be excellent or poor; nobody has measured enough of it to say. Everything below that has been measured is still reported on this page.
Sampling is run by ADEQ and volunteer programs, and published through the EPA Water Quality Portal. Read the full grading methodology.
Apache Lake is a lake in Maricopa County, Arizona. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 3 public boat landings.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, ADEQ, last sampled 2026-04-08. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
What Apache Lake is good for
From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.
- Boat launch3 documented ramps
- Camping5 public campgrounds nearby
Swimming Safety
Not ratedLimited data
The letter is not a swimming clearance. Apache Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for mercury, oxygen depletion (low DO). Check local advisories before you swim.
Water quality measurements for Apache Lake
These readings exist but are not enough for an A–F grade — see why.
No clarity data.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | No recent samples | |
| Phosphorus | No recent samples | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No recent samples |
Recreation & Access
- Apache Lake - 1Public
- Apache Lake - 3Public
- Apache Lake - 2Public
Named access points in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory, within about 3 miles. More lakes with boat ramps
Public campgrounds near Apache Lake
- Apache Lake North Shore Boat Cg3.4 km
- Apache Lake North Shore Boat Cg3.4 km
- Lower Burnt Corral4.0 km
- Burnt Corral Campground4.0 km
- Upper Burnt Corral4.8 km
Nearest public campgrounds in the USGS National Map inventory, within about 3 miles. An empty list means USGS records no campground that close, which is not the same as camping being unavailable. Where the source gives an official reservation link, it is used; the cabin and hotel search does not cover campsites. More camping lakes
Fishing Apache Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.43 m/yr | 2 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +80 µg/L/yr | 2 |
EPA Impairment Status
Apache Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit AZL15060106A-0070_00 · Official waterbody report
Graded lakes near Apache Lake
Apache Lake has no grade, but these lakes within a short drive do.
Nearby Lakes in Maricopa County
Frequently asked questions about Apache Lake
Where is Apache Lake?
- Apache Lake is a lake in Maricopa County, Arizona. LakeQuality has not rated this lake (UNRATED) — no nutrient or algae measurement meets the evidence bar (at least 3 samples within 10 years).
What is the water quality grade for Apache Lake?
- Apache Lake in Maricopa County, Arizona is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar.
Is Apache Lake safe to swim in?
- The letter is not a swimming clearance. Apache Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for mercury, oxygen depletion (low DO). Check local advisories before you swim.
Are there boat ramps on Apache Lake?
- Apache Lake has 3 documented boat landings in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Apache Lake - 1, Apache Lake - 3, Apache Lake - 2. Public access is listed as yes.
Are there campgrounds on Apache Lake?
- Apache Lake has 5 public campgrounds from USGS The National Map within 5 km, including Apache Lake North Shore Boat Cg, Apache Lake North Shore Boat Cg, Lower Burnt Corral, Burnt Corral Campground. This is a location join, not a booking. Cabins and hotels are listed separately; campsite reservations use the official link when the source provides one.
Explore Apache Lake across LakeQuality
Depth, room, public access, and the state wake-sport rules
23 mi away · 200 ft
6.2 mi away · recorded at 118°F
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Arizona's top lakes, each with its grade
Arizona's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More Arizona Lake Rankings
Other Lakes in Arizona
Where this data comes from
3 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2026. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Great Lakes Environmental Center
GLEC3 samples · 2026
Analytical methods
- 4500 P E ~ Phosphorus in Water by Colorimetry- Ascorbic Acid Method
- 300.0 ~ EPA; Determination of Inorganic Anions by Ion Chromatography
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
Grade thresholds from the EPA National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See how grades are calculated and data sources.
Other records on this page
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Named boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Public campgrounds from USGS The National Map Structures, within about 3 miles