Chain Lakes East Basin is a cold, clear oligotrophic lake in Iosco County, Michigan. Water quality is graded A based on 2 sampling years through 2023. Water clarity is improving over recent sampling years. Compared to the 7 other monitored lakes in Iosco County, Chain Lakes East Basin ranks #4 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2023-09-15. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
Good clarity, visible to about 12 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 2.1 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 40.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 12 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 2.1 µg/L | A |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 40 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Where to stay near Chain Lakes East Basin
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Fishing Chain Lakes East Basin
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +2.26 m/yr | 3 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↓ Declining | +0.6 µg/L/yr | 3 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #4 of 8 lakes in Iosco County
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Other Grade A Lakes in Michigan
Ogemaw County · Clarity: 10.5 ft
Alcona County · Clarity: 10.5 ft
Alcona County · Clarity: 24.5 ft
Alcona County · Clarity: 17 ft
Alpena County · Clarity: 16 ft
Alpena County · Clarity: 16 ft
Oligotrophic Lakes in Michigan
More records, surveys & data sources
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2023-09-15
Monitoring stations: 1