Canyon Ferry Lake
Broadwater County, MontanaView mapDirections
Nutrients and algae sit mid-range for this region.
- Eutrophic
- Impaired · Algal growth
- #2 of 2 in the county
- Public access
- Limited data
Canyon Ferry Lake in Broadwater County, Montana has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 8.9 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 34 µg/L.
- Clarity
- 8.9 ft
- Type
- Eutrophic
- Phosphorus
- 34 µg/L
- Trend
- ↑ Improving
- Public access
- Yes
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Watch Canyon Ferry Lake’s letter
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Canyon Ferry Lake is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Broadwater County, Montana. Water quality is graded C based on 1 sampling years through 2026. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 2 public boat landings. Compared to the 1 other monitored lakes in Broadwater County, Canyon Ferry Lake ranks #2 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Montana DEQ, last sampled 2026-06-18. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
What Canyon Ferry Lake is good for
From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.
- Boat launch2 documented ramps
- Camping1 public campground nearby
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 C is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Canyon Ferry Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for algal growth, ammonia, metals (other than mercury). Check local advisories before you swim.
Water Quality Grade: C (Fair)
Moderate clarity, visible to about 8.9 ft. Phosphorus 34 µg/L. TSI 50. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 8.9 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 34 µg/L | Fair |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No recent samples | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 50 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Recreation & Access
- White Earth CampgroundPublic
- Goose BayPublic
Named access points in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory, within about 3 miles. More lakes with boat ramps
Public campgrounds near Canyon Ferry Lake
- Goose Bay Marina and Campground4.0 km
Nearest public campgrounds in the USGS National Map inventory, within about 3 miles. An empty list means USGS records no campground that close, which is not the same as camping being unavailable. Where the source gives an official reservation link, it is used; the cabin and hotel search does not cover campsites. More camping lakes
Fishing Canyon Ferry Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 4 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.247 m/yr | 4 |
EPA Impairment Status
Canyon Ferry Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2021 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MT41I003_010 · Official waterbody report
County Ranking
Ranked #2 of 2 lakes in Broadwater County
Nearby Lakes in Broadwater County
Frequently asked questions about Canyon Ferry Lake
Where is Canyon Ferry Lake?
- Canyon Ferry Lake is a lake in Broadwater County, Montana. LakeQuality grades it C for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for Canyon Ferry Lake?
- Canyon Ferry Lake in Broadwater County, Montana has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 8.9 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 34 µg/L.
Is Canyon Ferry Lake safe to swim in?
- The C is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Canyon Ferry Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for algal growth, ammonia, metals (other than mercury). Check local advisories before you swim.
Are there boat ramps on Canyon Ferry Lake?
- Canyon Ferry Lake has 2 documented boat landings in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include White Earth Campground, Goose Bay. Public access is listed as yes.
Are there campgrounds on Canyon Ferry Lake?
- Canyon Ferry Lake has 1 public campground from USGS The National Map within 5 km, including Goose Bay Marina and Campground. This is a location join, not a booking. Cabins and hotels are listed separately; campsite reservations use the official link when the source provides one.
Explore Canyon Ferry Lake across LakeQuality
Depth, room, public access, and the state wake-sport rules
13.4 mi away · recorded at 74°F
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Montana's top lakes, each with its grade
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Montana's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
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Other Grade C Lakes in Montana
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Where this data comes from
93 measurements from 2 monitoring stations, 2015–2026. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Montana DEQ WQPB
MDEQ_WQ_WQX57 samples · 2015–2026 - USGS Montana Water Science Center
USGS-MT36 samples · 2015–2017
Analytical methods
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
Monitoring station identifiers (2)
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
Named boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Public campgrounds from USGS The National Map Structures, within about 3 miles