Buttermere
Buttermere in Cumbria and Lancashire, England has official water-quality measurements, not a LakeQuality A–F grade. Phosphorus: 4.4 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 1.8 µg/L.
Why Buttermere has no A–F grade
Buttermere in England is published with the authority's own measurements, not a LakeQuality letter. official authority class; not a LakeQuality A–F letter Sampling here has recorded phosphorus and algae (chlorophyll-a), but not water clarity.
A letter on the LakeQuality scale would be an invention, not an official class. Everything below that has been measured is still reported on this page.
Monitoring: the Environment Agency (England).
Buttermere is a lake in Cumbria and Lancashire County, England.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, your state environmental agency, last sampled 2026-05-15. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Not ratedLimited data
Not rated for swimming — there is not enough monitoring data to judge this lake
Water quality measurements for Buttermere
These readings exist but do not meet the evidence bar for an A–F grade — see why.
No clarity data. Phosphorus level: 4.4 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 1.8 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 31.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | No recent samples | |
| Phosphorus | 4.4 µg/L | Not graded |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 1.8 µg/L | Not graded |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 31 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Where to stay near Buttermere
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Buttermere in Cumbria and Lancashire, England — 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 Buttermere
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Fishing Buttermere
Frequently asked questions about Buttermere
What is the water quality of Buttermere?
- Buttermere in Cumbria and Lancashire, England has official water-quality measurements, not a LakeQuality A–F grade. Phosphorus: 4.4 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 1.8 µg/L.
Is Buttermere safe to swim in?
- Buttermere has official nutrient and clarity measurements, not a bacteria swim class and not a safety clearance. Algal blooms, currents, and depth are not covered. Always check local notices before swimming.
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Where this data comes from
166 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2016–2026. Retrieved from the Environment Agency (England; not the EPA Water Quality Portal) on 2026-08-16.
Collected and reported by
- Environment Agency (England)
ea-wqa166 samples · 2016–2026
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
NW-88021659
Authority classifications are stored separately from LakeQuality A–F letters and are never blended. See methodology and data sources.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grade thresholds from the EPA National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion
Most recent sample: 2026-05-15
Monitoring stations: 1