Beaver Lake is a cold, clear oligotrophic lake in Alger County, Michigan. Water quality is graded A based on 2 sampling years through 2024. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. The lake supports 14 documented fish species including Bluntnose minnow, Brook stickleback, and Brook trout. Compared to the 12 other monitored lakes in Alger County, Beaver Lake ranks #7 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2024-08-21. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
Good clarity, visible to about 14.7 ft. Phosphorus level: 7.8 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 36.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 14.7 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | 7.8 µg/L | A |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 36 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Where to stay near Beaver Lake
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Beaver Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.175 m/yr | 5 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +4.3 µg/L/yr | 2 |
Water Temperature
Beaver Lake averages about 68°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 69°F) and coldest in Jun (about 65°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 666 field readings (2010–2024) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Beaver Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location & Depth Map
Free interactive depth-contour map of Beaver Lake, reaching a maximum surveyed depth of 39 ft. Toggle Depth contours to overlay the bathymetric survey lines. Contour data from Michigan DNR.
County Ranking
Ranked #7 of 13 lakes in Alger County
Nearby Lakes in Alger County
Explore Beaver Lake across LakeGrade
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Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
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Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2024-08-21
Monitoring stations: 1