Bunch Lake
Randolph County, North Carolina25 acresView mapDirections
Nutrients and algae run above the regional average.
↓ down from B at the last regrade
- Eutrophic
- #3 of 5 in the county
- Limited data
Bunch Lake in Randolph County, North Carolina has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Phosphorus: 20 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 18 µg/L. Surface area: 25 acres.
- Area
- 25 acres
- Type
- Eutrophic
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Stays near Bunch Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Bunch Lake in Randolph County, North Carolina — 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 Bunch Lake are listed below.
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Bunch Lake is a 25-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Randolph County, North Carolina. Water quality is graded D based on 1 sampling years through 2021. Compared to the 4 other monitored lakes in Randolph County, Bunch Lake ranks #3 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, NCDEQ, last sampled 2021-09-08. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
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.
The D is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Bunch Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for algal growth. Check local advisories before you swim.
Water Quality Grade: D (Nutrient-rich)
No clarity data. Phosphorus 20 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 18 µg/L. TSI 53. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | No recent samples | |
| Phosphorus | 20 µg/L | Not graded |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 18 µg/L | Poor |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 53 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 25 acres |
No bathymetric survey has been published for Bunch Lake, so its depth is not documented here.
Fishing Bunch Lake
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Bunch Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the John Bunch Lake Dam (completed 1942), built primarily for water supply on the Cedar Fork Creek; earth-type dam, 47 ft tall and 400 ft long.
- Surface area
- 25 ac
- Normal storage
- 396 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 471 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 2.54 sq mi
- Hazard class
- High
- Owner
- City of Asheboro
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID NC00451 · Operator website · Matched by proximity (0.11 km)
EPA Impairment Status
Bunch Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2022 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit NC13-2-3-3-(0.7) · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (2.44 km)
County Ranking
Ranked #3 of 5 lakes in Randolph County
Nearby Lakes in Randolph County
Frequently asked questions about Bunch Lake
Where is Bunch Lake?
- Bunch Lake is a lake in Randolph County, North Carolina. LakeQuality grades it D for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for Bunch Lake?
- Bunch Lake in Randolph County, North Carolina has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Phosphorus: 20 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 18 µg/L. Surface area: 25 acres.
Is Bunch Lake safe to swim in?
- The D is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Bunch Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for algal growth. Check local advisories before you swim.
Explore Bunch Lake across LakeQuality
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Where this data comes from
12 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2021. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- North Carolina Dept of Environmental Quality NCDEQ-DWR WQX
21NC03WQ12 samples · 2021
Analytical methods
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
- 445.0 ~ EPA; Chlorophyll and Pheophytin in Algae by Fluorescence
- 2130 B ~ Nephelometric Method
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