Chapel Lake is a mesotrophic lake in Alger County, Michigan. Water quality is graded B based on 2 sampling years through 2024. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. Compared to the 12 other monitored lakes in Alger County, Chapel Lake ranks #11 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2024-08-19. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Chapel Lake water quality
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Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Moderate clarity, visible to about 7.9 ft. Phosphorus level: 23.5 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 49.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 7.9 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | 23.5 µg/L | B |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 49 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Chapel Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Chapel Lake in Alger County, Michigan — 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 Chapel Lake
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Fishing Chapel Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.277 m/yr | 5 |
| Phosphorus | → Stable | +0.03 µg/L/yr | 5 |
Water Temperature
Chapel Lake averages about 50°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Aug (about 51°F) and coldest in Jun (about 48°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 1,392 field readings (2010–2024) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Chapel Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #11 of 13 lakes in Alger County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Chapel Lake holds Grade B. 3 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- ABeaver LakeAlger County · 6.3 mi · Higher grade (B → A)
- BLegion LakeAlger County · 4.3 mi · Higher overall water quality score
- BTrapper'S LakeAlger County · 7.7 mi · Higher overall water quality score
Nearby Lakes in Alger County
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Moderate nutrients, good water quality
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Other Grade B Lakes in Michigan
Marquette County · Clarity: 12.5 ft
Marquette County · Clarity: 12 ft
Marquette County · Clarity: 14.3 ft
Marquette County · Clarity: 11.8 ft
Charlevoix County · Clarity: 10 ft
Charlevoix County · Clarity: 10 ft
Mesotrophic 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: 2024-08-19
Monitoring stations: 1