Bear Creek Reservoir is a mesotrophic lake in Jackson County, North Carolina. Water quality is graded B based on 2 sampling years through 2024. Compared to the 2 other monitored lakes in Jackson County, Bear Creek Reservoir ranks #2 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, North Carolina DNR, last sampled 2024-11-06. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Moderate clarity, visible to about 7.7 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 4.1 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 46.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 7.7 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 4.1 µg/L | A |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 46 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Bear Creek Reservoir
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Fishing Bear Creek Reservoir
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #2 of 3 lakes in Jackson County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Bear Creek Reservoir holds Grade B. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Jackson County
Explore Bear Creek Reservoir across LakeGrade
More North Carolina Lake Rankings
Top 25 by overall water quality score
Top 25 by Secchi water clarity
Grade A/B + low algae filter
Panfish-rich, public access
Full state directory
Other Grade B Lakes in North Carolina
Mesotrophic Lakes in North Carolina
More records, surveys & data sources
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2024-11-06
Monitoring stations: 2