Black Pond
Black Pond in Middlesex County, Connecticut has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Phosphorus: 18 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 3.6 µg/L. Surface area: 76 acres.
- Area
- 76 acres
- Type
- Mesotrophic
- Public access
- Yes
Black Pond is a 76-acre mesotrophic lake in Middlesex County, Connecticut. Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2023. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 4 other monitored lakes in Middlesex County, Black Pond ranks #4 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, your state environmental agency, last sampled 2023-06-28. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Grade onlyLimited data
Based on clarity and algae grades from past sampling — we do not hold live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C (Fair)
No clarity data. Phosphorus level: 18 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 3.6 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 44.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | No recent samples | |
| Phosphorus | 18 µg/L | Fair |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 3.6 µg/L | Not graded |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 44 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Black Pond
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Black Pond in Middlesex County, Connecticut — 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 Black Pond
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Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 76 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
No bathymetric survey has been published for Black Pond, so its depth is not documented here.
Recreation & Access
- Black PondPublic
Named access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory, snapped within 5 km. More lakes with boat ramps
Fishing Black Pond
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Black Pond is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Black Pond Dam (completed 1880), built primarily for recreation on the Spoon Shop Brook; earth-type dam, 26 ft tall and 200 ft long.
- Surface area
- 76 ac
- Normal storage
- 123 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 353 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 1.2 sq mi
- Hazard class
- High
- Owner
- City of Meriden
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID CT00135 · Operator website
EPA Impairment Status
Black Pond is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2022 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit CT4607-10-1-L1_01 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (1.48 km)
County Ranking
Ranked #4 of 5 lakes in Middlesex County
Nearby Lakes in Middlesex County
Frequently asked questions about Black Pond
Where is Black Pond?
- Black Pond is a lake in Middlesex County, Connecticut. LakeQuality grades it C for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for Black Pond?
- Black Pond in Middlesex County, Connecticut has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Phosphorus: 18 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 3.6 µg/L. Surface area: 76 acres.
Is Black Pond safe to swim in?
- Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality. Black Pond has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Algae concentration (chlorophyll-a) is 3.6 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
Are there boat ramps on Black Pond?
- Black Pond has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Black Pond. Public access is listed as yes.
Explore Black Pond across LakeGrade
More Connecticut Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in Connecticut
Mesotrophic Lakes in Connecticut
Where this data comes from
10 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2023. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-21.
Collected and reported by
- Connecticut Department Of Energy And Environmental Protection
CT_DEP01_WQX10 samples · 2023
Analytical methods
- Total Phosphorus After Block Digestion
- 445.0 ~ EPA; Chlorophyll and Pheophytin in Algae by Fluorescence
- Nitrate-Nitrite Nitrogen by Colorimetry
- Turbidity by Nephelometry
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
Grade thresholds from the EPA National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See how grades are calculated and data sources.
Other records on this page
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Named boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory