Butl Lake
Marion County, AlabamaView mapDirections
Nutrients and algae run above the regional average.
↓ down from C at the last regrade
- Eutrophic
- #1 of 1 in the county
- Limited data
Butl Lake in Marion County, Alabama has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Phosphorus: 37 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 14.7 µg/L.
- Type
- Eutrophic
- Phosphorus
- 37 µg/L
- Chlorophyll-a
- 14.7 µg/L
Stays via Stay22
Stays near Butl Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Butl Lake in Marion County, Alabama — 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 Butl Lake are listed below.
Top-rated places to stay near Butl Lake
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Watch Butl Lake’s letter
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Butl Lake is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Marion County, Alabama. Water quality is graded D based on 2 sampling years through 2022.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, ADEM, last sampled 2022-10-12. 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. Check local advisories before you swim.
Water Quality Grade: D (Nutrient-rich)
No clarity data. Phosphorus 37 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 14.7 µg/L. TSI 57. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | No recent samples | |
| Phosphorus | 37 µg/L | Poor |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 14.7 µg/L | Poor |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 57 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Fishing Butl Lake
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Butl Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Buttahatchee Dam (completed 1960), built primarily for recreation on the Buttahatchee River; other-type dam, 50 ft tall and 400 ft long.
- Normal storage
- 114 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 114 ac-ft
- Hazard class
- Significant
- Owner
- STATE OF ALA HWY DEPT
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID AL00139 · Operator website · Matched by proximity (0.08 km)
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 1 lakes in Marion County
Nearby Lakes With Higher Grades
Butl Lake holds Grade D. One nearby lake has a higher nutrient-and-algae grade — useful for a swim day, not a reason to skip lodging here.
Nearby Lakes in Marion County
Frequently asked questions about Butl Lake
Where is Butl Lake?
- Butl Lake is a lake in Marion County, Alabama. LakeQuality grades it D for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for Butl Lake?
- Butl Lake in Marion County, Alabama has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Phosphorus: 37 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 14.7 µg/L.
Is Butl Lake safe to swim in?
- The D is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.
Explore Butl Lake across LakeQuality
2 documented falls within 18.2 mi, nearest Caney Creek Falls
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Alabama's top lakes, each with its grade
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Alabama's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More Alabama Lake Rankings
Other Grade D Lakes in Alabama
Where this data comes from
21 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2022. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- ALABAMA DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT - WATER QUALITY DATA
21AWIC21 samples · 2022
Analytical methods
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
- 10200 H ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination
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.