Clifford Lake Northwest Basin
Clifford Lake Northwest Basin in Montcalm County, Michigan is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Water clarity: 10 ft visibility.
- Clarity
- 10 ft
- Trend
- ↑ Improving
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Why Clifford Lake Northwest Basin has no grade
We grade a lake only when the monitoring record supports a letter: at least three phosphorus or chlorophyll-a samples in the last ten years, scored against EPA National Lakes Assessment thresholds for this lake’s ecoregion. For Clifford Lake Northwest Basin, the only measurement available is water clarity, which is not a water-quality indicator on its own — EPA's National Lakes Assessment does not grade clarity. Sampling here has recorded water clarity, but not phosphorus and algae (chlorophyll-a).
Not Rated is not an F. It is EPA Integrated Reporting Category 3 — insufficient information. The water here may be excellent or poor; nobody has measured enough of it to say. Everything below that has been measured is still reported on this page.
Sampling is run by EGLE and volunteer programs, and published through the EPA Water Quality Portal. Read the full grading methodology.
Clifford Lake Northwest Basin is a lake in Montcalm County, Michigan. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 10 documented fish species including Blackchin shiner, Bluegill, and Creek chub.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, EGLE, last sampled 2017-06-12. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
Watch Clifford Lake Northwest Basin water quality
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Swimming Safety
Not ratedLimited data
Not rated for swimming — there is not enough monitoring data to judge this lake
Water quality measurements for Clifford Lake Northwest Basin
These readings exist but are not enough for an A–F grade — see why.
Good clarity, visible to about 10 ft. Trophic State Index: 44.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 10 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | No recent samples | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No recent samples | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 44 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Clifford Lake Northwest Basin
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Clifford Lake Northwest Basin in Montcalm 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 Clifford Lake Northwest Basin
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Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS).
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Clifford Lake Northwest Basin
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.29 m/yr | 2 |
EPA Impairment Status
Clifford Lake Northwest Basin is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 4A).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MI040500060202-02 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (0.58 km)
Graded lakes near Clifford Lake Northwest Basin
Clifford Lake Northwest Basin has no grade, but these lakes within a short drive do.
Nearby Lakes in Montcalm County
Frequently asked questions about Clifford Lake Northwest Basin
Where is Clifford Lake Northwest Basin?
- Clifford Lake Northwest Basin is a lake in Montcalm County, Michigan. LakeQuality has not rated this lake (UNRATED) — the only measurement available is water clarity, which is not a water-quality indicator on its own — EPA's National Lakes Assessment does not grade clarity.
What is the water quality grade for Clifford Lake Northwest Basin?
- Clifford Lake Northwest Basin in Montcalm County, Michigan is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Water clarity: 10 ft visibility.
Is Clifford Lake Northwest Basin safe to swim in?
- Not rated for swimming — there is not enough monitoring data to judge this lake. Clifford Lake Northwest Basin is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
How deep is Clifford Lake Northwest Basin?
- The available depth estimate for Clifford Lake Northwest Basin is shallower than its measured water clarity, which cannot be right, so no depth is shown.
What fish are in Clifford Lake Northwest Basin?
- Fish species found in Clifford Lake Northwest Basin include Blackchin shiner, Bluegill, Creek chub, Iowa darter, Johnny darter, Largemouth bass, Rainbow darter, Rock bass, Rosyface shiner, Yellow bullhead. Clifford Lake Northwest Basin is located in Montcalm County, Michigan.
Explore Clifford Lake Northwest Basin across LakeQuality
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Where this data comes from
16 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2016–2017. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-26.
Collected and reported by
- Michigan EGLE - MiCorps
21MICH_MICORPS16 samples · 2016–2017
Analytical methods
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
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.
Other records on this page
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)