Birch Lake Central Basin; Porter Township is a mesotrophic lake in Cass County, Michigan. Water quality is graded A based on 2 sampling years through 2023. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 2 public boat landings. Compared to the 22 other monitored lakes in Cass County, Birch Lake Central Basin; Porter Township ranks #2 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2023-09-23. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Birch Lake Central Basin; Porter Township water quality
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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 13 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 2.6 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 40.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 13 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 2.6 µg/L | A |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 40 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Birch Lake Central Basin; Porter Township
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Fishing Birch Lake Central Basin; Porter Township
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +3.405 m/yr | 3 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -0.4 µg/L/yr | 3 |
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Birch Lake Central Basin; Porter Township averages about 55°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Aug (about 56°F) and coldest in May (about 50°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 1,510 field readings (2010–2023) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Birch Lake Central Basin; Porter Township water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #2 of 23 lakes in Cass County
Nearby Lakes in Cass County
Explore Birch Lake Central Basin; Porter Township across LakeGrade
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Fish species and best lakes in Cass County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Moderate nutrients, good water quality
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More Michigan Lake Rankings
Other Grade A Lakes in Michigan
St. Joseph County · Clarity: 16 ft
St. Joseph County · Clarity: 16 ft
Van Buren County · Clarity: 13 ft
St. Joseph County · Clarity: 10.5 ft
Van Buren County · Clarity: 17 ft
Van Buren County · Clarity: 15 ft
Mesotrophic Lakes in Michigan
More records, surveys & data sources
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
Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Most recent sample: 2023-09-23
Monitoring stations: 1