Chain Lake is a lake in Similkameen River, British Columbia. Its water-quality measurements are published by ENV and shown on this page as reported.

Chain Lake

Similkameen River, British ColumbiaView map Directions

ENV publishes the water-quality measurements for Chain Lake. Here is what has been measured.

Clarity

2.7 m

Typical for British Columbia

Secchi · sampled 2024

Phosphorus

25.2 µg/L

More phosphorus than most

Measured by ENV

Chlorophyll-a

9.1 µg/L

More algae than most

Measured by ENV

Limited data

See the measurements Directions Where to stay

Chain Lake in Similkameen River, British Columbia has water-quality measurements published by ENV, shown here as reported. Water clarity: 2.7 m visibility. Phosphorus: 25.2 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 9.1 µg/L.

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Chain Lake is a lake in Similkameen River County, British Columbia.

Source: the British Columbia Ministry of Environment and Parks — not the EPA Water Quality Portal, last sampled 2024-10-01. Methodology: how these readings are compared.

Swimming conditions

No reading

Limited data

Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.

Whether Chain Lake is safe to swim in today is a call for the British Columbia Ministry of Environment and Parks and the county health department, who post current advisories. LakeQuality does not issue swimming clearances.

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Water quality measurements for Chain Lake

These are the measurements ENV publishes for Chain Lake, shown as reported. The condition class beside each reading is the EPA National Lakes Assessment class for this lake’s ecoregion.

Moderate clarity, visible to about 8.9 ft. Phosphorus 25.2 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 9.1 µg/L. TSI 50.

Water quality readings
Measure	Reading	Where it sits
Water clarity (Secchi depth)	2.72m	Measured, not scored How deep a black-and-white disk stays visible from the surface. Higher is clearer.
Total phosphorus	25.2µg/L	Measured, not scored The nutrient that most limits algae growth in freshwater. More phosphorus, more algae potential.
Chlorophyll-a (algae)	9.1µg/L	Measured, not scored The green pigment in algae — a direct measure of how much algae is in the water.
Trophic state (TSI)Carlson's 0–100 index of how much algae a lake can support, from clarity, phosphorus and chlorophyll-a.	50	Mesotrophic OligotrophicMesotrophicEutrophicHypereutrophic

Moderate nutrients, good water quality

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Fishing Chain Lake

→ Chain Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)

Nearby Lakes in Similkameen River

Nickel Plate Lake5.7 m clear25.1 miView →Quiniscoe Lake4 m clear43.8 miView →Glacier Lake5 m clear—View →Ladyslipper Lake8.5 m clear—View →

Frequently asked questions about Chain Lake

Where is Chain Lake?: Chain Lake is a lake in Similkameen River, British Columbia. Its water-quality measurements are published by ENV and shown on this page as reported.
What is the water quality of Chain Lake?: Chain Lake in Similkameen River, British Columbia has water-quality measurements published by ENV, shown here as reported. Water clarity: 2.7 m visibility. Phosphorus: 25.2 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 9.1 µg/L.
Is Chain Lake safe to swim in?: Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.