Barton Lake is a mesotrophic lake in Kalamazoo County, Michigan. Water quality is graded C based on 1 sampling years through 2023. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 11 other monitored lakes in Kalamazoo County, Barton Lake ranks #9 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2023-06-21. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Barton Lake water quality
Subscribe for LakeQuality updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Moderate clarity, visible to about 8 ft. Trophic State Index: 47.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 8 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 47 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Barton Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Barton Lake in Kalamazoo County, Michigan — live availability and prices for your trip. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water.
Top-rated places to stay near Barton Lake
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 Barton Lake?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Barton Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Michigan’s top lakes →
Fishing Barton Lake
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | → Stable | -0.035 m/yr | 3 |
Recreation & Access
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #9 of 12 lakes in Kalamazoo County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Barton Lake holds Grade C. 4 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- AFishers Lake North Central Basin; Park TownshipSt. Joseph County · 7.1 mi · Two grade letters higher (C → A)
- BIndian Lake Central Basin; Brady TownshipKalamazoo County · 5.1 mi · Higher grade (C → B)
- BPaw Paw Lake East Central Basin; Texas TownshipKalamazoo County · 10.3 mi · Higher grade (C → B)
- BBarton Lake West Basin; Schoolcraft TownshipKalamazoo County · 1.4 mi · Higher grade (C → B)
Nearby Lakes in Kalamazoo County
Explore Barton Lake across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Michigan
Fish species and best lakes in Kalamazoo County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Michigan's top lakes, each with its grade
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Michigan's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More Michigan Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in Michigan
St. Joseph County · Clarity: 6 ft
Cass County · Clarity: 8.3 ft
St. Joseph County · Clarity: 9.5 ft
Van Buren County · Clarity: 8 ft
Van Buren County · Clarity: 8.3 ft
Cass County · Clarity: 7 ft
Mesotrophic Lakes in Michigan
More records, surveys & data sources
EPA Impairment Status
Barton Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MI040500010503-02 · Official waterbody report
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
2 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Barton Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits.
- Mdeq-Rrd-Arco Ind CorpSchoolcraft · 3.1 mi away · NPDES MI0048551
- J Rettenmaier Usa LpSchoolcraft · 4 mi away · NPDES MI0056791
Facilities permitted to discharge under the Clean Water Act within ~5 miles; proximity does not by itself mean a facility affects this lake. Source: EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES), as of 2026-07.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Most recent sample: 2023-06-21
Monitoring stations: 1