Barnes Lake
Lapeer County, WisconsinOligotrophic
Barnes Lake is a 110-acre cold, clear oligotrophic lake in Lapeer County, MI. Water quality is graded A based on 2 sampling years through 2023. Compared to the 7 other monitored lakes in Lapeer County, Barnes Lake ranks #1 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, local state DNR records, last sampled 2023-09-18. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
Good clarity, visible to about 14.5 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 2.1 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 38.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 14.5 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 2.1 µg/L | A |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 38 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 110 acres |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 8 lakes in Lapeer County
Nearby Lakes in Lapeer County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
Other Grade A Lakes in Wisconsin
Mecosta County · Clarity: 12.8 ft
Benzie County · Clarity: 13.5 ft
Clare County · Clarity: 15 ft
Kalkaska County · Clarity: 16 ft
Gogebic County · Clarity: 18 ft
Iron County · Clarity: 16 ft
Oligotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Barnes Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Barnes Lake Dam (completed 1935), built primarily for recreation on the Barnes Lake Outlet; earth-type dam, 7 ft tall and 225 ft long.
- Surface area
- 110 ac
- Normal storage
- 132 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 184 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 0 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Low
- Owner
- Barnes Lake Property Owners
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID MI01420 · Operator website
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2023-09-18
Monitoring stations: 1