Clinch River Lake
Roane County, TennesseeView mapDirections
Nutrients and algae run above the regional average.
↓ down from C at the last regrade
- Eutrophic
- Impaired · Mercury
- #3 of 4 in the county
- Public access
Clinch River Lake in Roane County, Tennessee has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Phosphorus: 36 µg/L.
- Type
- Eutrophic
- Phosphorus
- 36 µg/L
- Public access
- Yes
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Stays near Clinch River Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Clinch River Lake in Roane County, Tennessee — 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. The water-quality grade measures nutrients and algae, not lodging — cabins and rentals around Clinch River Lake are listed below.
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Clinch River Lake is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Roane County, Tennessee. Water quality is graded D based on 1 sampling years through 2026. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available. Compared to the 3 other monitored lakes in Roane County, Clinch River Lake ranks #3 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, TDEC, last sampled 2026-05-27. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
Swimming Safety
Grade onlyElevated nutrients
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 D is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Clinch River Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for mercury, pesticides, pCBs. Check local advisories before you swim.
Water Quality Grade: D (Nutrient-rich)
No clarity data. Phosphorus 36 µg/L. TSI 56. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | No recent samples | |
| Phosphorus | 36 µg/L | Poor |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No recent samples | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 56 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Fishing Clinch River Lake
EPA Impairment Status
Clinch River Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit TN06010207001_1000 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (1.69 km)
County Ranking
Ranked #3 of 4 lakes in Roane County
Nearby Lakes With Higher Grades
Clinch River Lake holds Grade D. 3 nearby lakes hold higher nutrient-and-algae grades — useful for a swim day, not a reason to skip lodging here.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Roane County
Frequently asked questions about Clinch River Lake
Where is Clinch River Lake?
- Clinch River Lake is a lake in Roane County, Tennessee. LakeQuality grades it D for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for Clinch River Lake?
- Clinch River Lake in Roane County, Tennessee has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Phosphorus: 36 µg/L.
Is Clinch River Lake safe to swim in?
- The D is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Clinch River Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for mercury, pesticides, pCBs. Check local advisories before you swim.
Explore Clinch River Lake across LakeQuality
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Tennessee's top lakes, each with its grade
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Tennessee's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More Tennessee Lake Rankings
Other Grade D Lakes in Tennessee
Eutrophic Lakes in Tennessee
Where this data comes from
110 measurements from 2 monitoring stations, 2012–2026. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- TDEC Division of Water Resources
TDECWR_WQX110 samples · 2012–2026
Analytical methods
- 4500 P E ~ Phosphorus in Water by Colorimetry- Ascorbic Acid Method
- 4500 P H ~ Manual Digestion and Flow Injection Analysis for Total Phosphorus
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
- Turbidity by Nephelometry
- 2120 C ~ Color in Water by Spectrophotometry
Monitoring station identifiers (2)
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