What is the water quality grade for Barnes Lake?

Barnes Lake in Lapeer County, Wisconsin received a water quality grade of B (Good). Water clarity: 14 ft visibility. Surface area: 110 acres.

Is Barnes Lake safe to swim in?

Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels. Barnes Lake has an overall water quality grade of B. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.

Barnes Lake

Lapeer County, WisconsinLimited DataOligotrophic

Barnes Lake is a 110-acre cold, clear oligotrophic lake in Lapeer County, MI. Water quality is graded B based on 1 sampling years through 2022. Compared to the 7 other monitored lakes in Lapeer County, Barnes Lake ranks #3 for water quality.

Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, local state DNR records, last sampled 2022-09-16. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.

Swimming Safety

Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels

Water Quality Grade: B, Good

Good clarity, visible to about 14 ft. Trophic State Index: 39.

Metric	Value	Grade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)	14 ft	B
Phosphorus	No data
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)	No data
Trophic State Index (TSI)	39	Oligotrophic

Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming

Lake Details

Characteristic	Value
Surface Area	110 acres

Location

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County Ranking

Ranked #3 of 8 lakes in Lapeer County

Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles

Barnes Lake holds Grade B. One nearby lake has a higher grade.

A
Barnes Lake
Lapeer County · 0 mi · Higher grade (B → A)

See full comparison →

Nearby Lakes in Lapeer County

Barnes Lake

Lapeer County

Middle Lake; Elba Township; Section 13

More Wisconsin Lake Rankings

Cleanest lakes in Wisconsin

Top 25 by overall water quality score

Best swimming lakes in Wisconsin

Grade A/B + low algae filter

Family fishing lakes in Wisconsin

Panfish-rich, public access

All Wisconsin lakes

Full state directory

Other Grade B Lakes in Wisconsin

Portage Lake

Livingston County · Clarity: 13 ft

Bear Lake East Basin; Pleasanton Township

Manistee County · Clarity: 11 ft

Bass Lake

Lake County · Clarity: 14 ft

Long Lake

Cass County · Clarity: 10.5 ft

Byram Lake West Central Basin; Fenton Township

Genesee County · Clarity: 10 ft

Big Star Lake Central Basin; Lake Township

Lake County · Clarity: 8 ft

Oligotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin

Lake Ann Southeast Basin; Almira Township Section 26 Windover Lake South Basin; Freeman Township Squaw Lake Moon Lake Central Basin; Watersmeet Township

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: 2022-09-16

Monitoring stations: 1