Brown Lake Central Basin; Summit Township is a mesotrophic lake in Jackson County, Michigan. Water quality is graded C based on 1 sampling years through 2023. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 1 documented fish species including Lake herring. Compared to the 8 other monitored lakes in Jackson County, Brown Lake Central Basin; Summit Township ranks #6 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2023-08-12. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Brown Lake Central Basin; Summit Township water quality
Subscribe for LakeQuality updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Moderate clarity, visible to about 7.5 ft. Trophic State Index: 48.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 7.5 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 48 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Brown Lake Central Basin; Summit Township
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Brown Lake Central Basin; Summit Township in Jackson 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.
Top-rated places to stay near Brown Lake Central Basin; Summit Township
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 trip to Brown Lake Central Basin; Summit Township?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Brown Lake Central Basin; Summit Township — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Michigan’s top lakes →
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Brown Lake Central Basin; Summit Township
- → Brown Lake Central Basin; Summit Township fishing forecast & best times (species outlook + 14-day solunar calendar)
- → Brown Lake Central Basin; Summit Township fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
- → Is it safe to eat fish from Brown Lake Central Basin; Summit Township? (mercury & PFAS guide)
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +1.225 m/yr | 3 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #6 of 9 lakes in Jackson County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Brown Lake Central Basin; Summit Township holds Grade C. 2 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
Nearby Lakes in Jackson County
Explore Brown Lake Central Basin; Summit Township across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Michigan
Fish species and best lakes in Jackson County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Top lakes and where to stay in the Irish Hills area
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 C Lakes in Michigan
Hillsdale County · Clarity: 9.5 ft
Lenawee County · Clarity: 5 ft
Washtenaw County · Clarity: 9.5 ft
Washtenaw County · Clarity: 9 ft
Washtenaw County · Clarity: 5.8 ft
Washtenaw County · Clarity: 7.2 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.
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
7 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Brown Lake Central Basin; Summit Township under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 2 facilities have a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Mid-American ProductsJackson · 4.8 mi away · NPDES MI0052558Recent violation
- Elco Prod Welding IncJackson · 5 mi away · NPDES MIG250359Recent violation
- Wolverine Technologies IncJackson · 4.3 mi away · NPDES MI0041726
- Amoco Oil Company-JacksonJackson · 4.6 mi away · NPDES MI0049468
- Trw Inc-JacksonJackson · 4.6 mi away · NPDES MI0056006
- Plastigage CorpJackson · 4.8 mi away · NPDES MI0055042
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)
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2023-08-12
Monitoring stations: 1