Coldwater Lake Southeast Basin; Nottawa Township is a mesotrophic lake in Isabella County, Michigan. Water quality is graded A based on 2 sampling years through 2023. Water clarity is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 1 documented fish species including Lake herring. Public access is available. Compared to the 1 other monitored lakes in Isabella County, Coldwater Lake Southeast Basin; Nottawa Township ranks #1 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2023-09-14. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Coldwater Lake Southeast Basin; Nottawa Township water quality
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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 10.5 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 2.1 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 40.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 10.5 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 2.1 µg/L | A |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 40 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Coldwater Lake Southeast Basin; Nottawa Township
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Coldwater Lake Southeast Basin; Nottawa Township
- → Coldwater Lake Southeast Basin; Nottawa Township fishing forecast & best times (species outlook + 14-day solunar calendar)
- → Coldwater Lake Southeast Basin; Nottawa Township fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
- → Is it safe to eat fish from Coldwater Lake Southeast Basin; Nottawa Township? (mercury & PFAS guide)
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +3.9 m/yr | 3 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↓ Declining | +0.45 µg/L/yr | 2 |
Water Temperature
Coldwater Lake Southeast Basin; Nottawa Township averages about 54°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Aug (about 56°F) and coldest in May (about 51°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 479 field readings (2021–2023) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Coldwater Lake Southeast Basin; Nottawa Township water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 2 lakes in Isabella County
Nearby Lakes in Isabella County
Explore Coldwater Lake Southeast Basin; Nottawa Township across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Michigan
Fish species and best lakes in Isabella County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Michigan's top lakes, each with its grade
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Michigan's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More Michigan Lake Rankings
Other Grade A Lakes in Michigan
Clare County · Clarity: 15 ft
Clare County · Clarity: 15 ft
Mecosta County · Clarity: 10 ft
Mecosta County · Clarity: 11 ft
Mecosta County · Clarity: 12.8 ft
Montcalm County · Clarity: 10.5 ft
Mesotrophic Lakes in Michigan
More records, surveys & data sources
EPA Impairment Status
Coldwater Lake Southeast Basin; Nottawa Township 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 MI040802020204-07 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (0.75 km)
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
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2023-09-14
Monitoring stations: 1