Boot Lake
Kalamazoo County, MichiganView mapDirections
Nutrients and algae run above the regional average.
↓ down from B at the last regrade
- Mesotrophic
- #7 of 7 in the county
Boot Lake in Kalamazoo County, Michigan has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Water clarity: 7 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 46 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 1.6 µg/L.
- Clarity
- 7 ft
- Typical in September
- 65°F
- Type
- Mesotrophic
- Trend
- ↓ Declining
Stays via Stay22
Stays 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. The water-quality grade measures nutrients and algae, not lodging — cabins and rentals around Boot Lake are listed below.
Top-rated places to stay near Boot Lake
Prices for Sep 11–13, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Michigan’s top lakes →
Watch Boot Lake’s letter
Email me if this lake’s grade moves. Grades stay free.
Or email
Boot Lake is a mesotrophic lake in Kalamazoo County, Michigan. Water quality is graded D based on 1 sampling years through 2025. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. Compared to the 6 other monitored lakes in Kalamazoo County, Boot Lake ranks #7 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, EGLE, last sampled 2025-11-26. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
Swimming Safety
Grade onlyBacteria A
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.
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: D (Nutrient-rich)
Moderate clarity, visible to about 7 ft. Phosphorus 46 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 1.6 µg/L. TSI 48. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 7 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 46 µg/L | Poor |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 1.6 µg/L | Not graded |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 48 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Water Temperature
Boot Lake typically sits around 65°F at the surface in September. Summer average is about 70°F. 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 →
Fishing Boot Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 10 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.13 m/yr | 2 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +12.25 µg/L/yr | 8 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↓ Declining | +0.75 µg/L/yr | 3 |
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.
County Ranking
Ranked #7 of 7 lakes in Kalamazoo County
Nearby Lakes With Higher Grades
Boot Lake holds Grade D. 2 nearby lakes hold higher nutrient-and-algae grades — useful for a swim day, not a reason to skip lodging here.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Kalamazoo County
Frequently asked questions about Boot Lake
Where is Boot Lake?
- Boot Lake is a lake in Kalamazoo County, Michigan. LakeQuality grades it D for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for Boot Lake?
- Boot Lake in Kalamazoo County, Michigan has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Water clarity: 7 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 46 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 1.6 µg/L.
Is Boot Lake safe to swim in?
- 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. That works out to a bacteria swim-safety grade of A — a historical summary of past testing, not a current reading. Boot Lake has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Bacteria levels can spike quickly after heavy rain, so always check Michigan's current beach and health-department advisories before you swim.
What is the water temperature of Boot Lake?
- Boot Lake typically sits around 65°F at the surface in September, from 787 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2010–2024). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
Explore Boot Lake across LakeQuality
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
Michigan's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More Michigan Lake Rankings
Other Grade D Lakes in Michigan
Mesotrophic Lakes in Michigan
Where this data comes from
501 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2016–2025. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-26.
Collected and reported by
- Match-e-be-nash-she-wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians of Michigan (Gun Lake)
GNLK01_WQX501 samples · 2016–2025
Analytical methods
- 4500 P E ~ Phosphorus in Water by Colorimetry- Ascorbic Acid Method
- 10200 H ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination
- Turbidity in Water
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
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)