Center of Sutton Lake
New Hanover County, North Carolina1,185 acresView mapDirections
Clarity, phosphorus, and algae all sit in the cleanest band for this region.
↑ up from B at the last regrade
- Mesotrophic
- #2 of 3 in the county
- Public access
- Limited data
Center of Sutton Lake in New Hanover County, North Carolina has a water quality grade of A (Excellent). Water clarity: 6.7 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 30 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 4.8 µg/L. Surface area: 1185 acres.
- Clarity
- 6.7 ft
- Area
- 1,185 acres
- Type
- Mesotrophic
- Public access
- Yes
Stays via Stay22
Stays near Center of Sutton Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Center of Sutton Lake in New Hanover 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.
Top-rated places to stay near Center of Sutton Lake
Prices for Sep 4–6, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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? Cabins and lodging at Center of Sutton Lake → · more North Carolina lake trips
Watch Center of Sutton Lake’s letter
Email me if this lake’s grade moves. Grades stay free.
Or email
Center of Sutton Lake is a 1,185-acre mesotrophic lake in New Hanover County, North Carolina. Water quality is graded A based on 2 sampling years through 2023. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available. Compared to the 2 other monitored lakes in New Hanover County, Center of Sutton Lake ranks #2 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, NCDEQ, last sampled 2023-09-18. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
What Center of Sutton Lake is good for
From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.
- Big water1,185 acres
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 A is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.
Water Quality Grade: A (Excellent)
Moderate clarity, visible to about 6.7 ft. Phosphorus 30 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 4.8 µg/L. TSI 50. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 6.7 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 30 µg/L | Good |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 4.8 µg/L | Good |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 50 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 1,185 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
No bathymetric survey has been published for Center of Sutton Lake, so its depth is not documented here.
Fishing Center of Sutton Lake
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Center of Sutton Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Sutton 1972 Cooling Lake Dam (completed 1972), built primarily for other on the Cape Fear River; earth-type dam, 19 ft tall and 20,100 ft long.
- Surface area
- 1,185 ac
- Max storage
- 6,900 ac-ft
- Hazard class
- Low
- Owner
- Duke Energy Corporation
All listed purposes: Other;Recreation.
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID NC05949 · Operator website · Matched by proximity (0.94 km)
County Ranking
Ranked #2 of 3 lakes in New Hanover County
Nearby Lakes in New Hanover County
Frequently asked questions about Center of Sutton Lake
Where is Center of Sutton Lake?
- Center of Sutton Lake is a lake in New Hanover County, North Carolina. LakeQuality grades it A for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for Center of Sutton Lake?
- Center of Sutton Lake in New Hanover County, North Carolina has a water quality grade of A (Excellent). Water clarity: 6.7 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 30 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 4.8 µg/L. Surface area: 1185 acres.
Is Center of Sutton Lake safe to swim in?
- The A is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.
Explore Center of Sutton Lake across LakeQuality
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at North Carolina's top lakes, each with its grade
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
North Carolina's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More North Carolina Lake Rankings
Ranked by overall water quality grade
Top 25 by Secchi water clarity
Grade A/B + low algae filter
Panfish-rich, public access
Full state directory
Other Grade A Lakes in North Carolina
Mesotrophic Lakes in North Carolina
Where this data comes from
21 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2023. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- North Carolina Dept of Environmental Quality NCDEQ-DWR WQX
21NC03WQ21 samples · 2023
Analytical methods
- WSSSOP
- 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.