Boot Lake is a mesotrophic lake in Kalamazoo County, Michigan. Water quality is graded B based on 3 sampling years through 2025. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available. Compared to the 11 other monitored lakes in Kalamazoo County, Boot Lake ranks #6 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2025-11-26. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Boot Lake water quality
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Swimming Safety
Based on E. coli testing, Boot Lake never exceeded the EPA safe-swimming threshold (235 MPN/100mL) — on 0% of 8 samples across 7 seasons.
This is a historical summary of past testing, not a current condition — bacteria levels change quickly, especially after rain. Always check Michigan’s current beach and health-department advisories before swimming.
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Moderate clarity, visible to about 7 ft. Phosphorus level: 46 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 1.6 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 48.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 7 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | 46 µg/L | C |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 1.6 µg/L | A |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 48 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Boot Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Boot 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.
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Fishing Boot Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 6 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.13 m/yr | 2 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +43.7 µg/L/yr | 4 |
Water Temperature
Boot Lake averages about 70°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 72°F) and coldest in Jan (about 37°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 787 field readings (2010–2024) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Boot Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #6 of 12 lakes in Kalamazoo County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Boot Lake holds Grade B. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Kalamazoo County
Explore Boot 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
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Other Grade B Lakes in Michigan
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More records, surveys & data sources
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
3 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Boot Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits, including 1 classified by the EPA as major discharger. 2 facilities have a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Battle Creek WwtpBattle Creek · 4.8 mi away · NPDES MI0022276MajorRecent violation
- Paradigm Sintered ProductsBattle Creek · 3.9 mi away · NPDES MIG250466Recent violation
- Logans Gas & DeliBattle Creek · 4.1 mi away · NPDES MIG081093
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
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2025-11-26
Monitoring stations: 1