Where is Contoocook Lake-South End?

Contoocook Lake-South End is a lake in Cheshire County, New Hampshire. Its water-quality measurements are published by NHDES and shown on this page as reported.

Can I fish at Contoocook Lake-South End?

Public access to Contoocook Lake-South End is listed as yes on the lake record. Seasons, size and bag limits, and whether you need a license are set by New Hampshire's fish and wildlife agency, so check its current regulations before you go.

Contoocook Lake-South End

Cheshire County, New HampshireView map Directions

NHDES publishes the water-quality measurements for Contoocook Lake-South End. Here is what has been measured.

Phosphorus

11.5 µg/L

Typical for New Hampshire

Measured by NHDES

Impaired · Mercury
Public access
Limited data

See the measurements Directions Where to stay

Contoocook Lake-South End in Cheshire County, New Hampshire has water-quality measurements published by NHDES, shown here as reported. Phosphorus: 11.5 µg/L.

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Contoocook Lake-South End is a lake in Cheshire County, New Hampshire. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available.

Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, your state environmental agency, last sampled 2025-07-10. Methodology: how these readings are compared.

Swimming conditions

No reading

Limited data

Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Contoocook Lake-South End is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for mercury, nuisance exotic species, pH / acidity. Check local advisories before you swim.

Whether Contoocook Lake-South End is safe to swim in today is a call for the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services and the county health department, who post current advisories. LakeQuality does not issue swimming clearances.

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Water quality measurements for Contoocook Lake-South End

These are the measurements NHDES publishes for Contoocook Lake-South End, shown as reported. The condition class beside each reading is the EPA National Lakes Assessment class for this lake’s ecoregion.

No clarity data. Phosphorus 11.5 µg/L. TSI 39.

Water quality readings
Measure	Reading	Where it sits
Water clarity (Secchi depth)		No reading How deep a black-and-white disk stays visible from the surface. Higher is clearer.
Total phosphorus	11.5µg/L	Measured, not scored The nutrient that most limits algae growth in freshwater. More phosphorus, more algae potential.
Chlorophyll-a (algae)		No reading The green pigment in algae — a direct measure of how much algae is in the water.
Trophic state (TSI)Carlson's 0–100 index of how much algae a lake can support, from clarity, phosphorus and chlorophyll-a.	39	Oligotrophic OligotrophicMesotrophicEutrophicHypereutrophic

Low nutrients, clear water. No reading is a swimming clearance.

Ask about Contoocook Lake-South End

Answers come straight from the public measurements and survey records on this page.

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Stays near Contoocook Lake-South End

Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Contoocook Lake-South End in Cheshire County, New Hampshire — 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.

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Fishing Contoocook Lake-South End

→ Contoocook Lake-South End fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)

EPA Impairment Status

Contoocook Lake-South End is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).

Causes of impairment

MercuryNuisance exotic speciespH / acidity

Designated uses not supporting: Aquatic life, Fish consumption.

A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.

Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit NHLAK700030101-03-01 · Official waterbody report

Nearby Lakes in Cheshire County

Pool Pond-Deep SpotMesotrophic0.9 miView →Contoocook Lake Dam1.2 miView →Contoocook Lake-Deep SpotMesotrophic1.1 miView →Mountain Brook Reservoir—View →Grassy Pond—View →Nutting Road Bridge Lake2.3 miView →

Frequently asked questions about Contoocook Lake-South End

Where is Contoocook Lake-South End?: Contoocook Lake-South End is a lake in Cheshire County, New Hampshire. Its water-quality measurements are published by NHDES and shown on this page as reported.
What is the water quality of Contoocook Lake-South End?: Contoocook Lake-South End in Cheshire County, New Hampshire has water-quality measurements published by NHDES, shown here as reported. Phosphorus: 11.5 µg/L.
Is Contoocook Lake-South End safe to swim in?: Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Contoocook Lake-South End is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for mercury, nuisance exotic species, pH / acidity. Check local advisories before you swim.
Can I fish at Contoocook Lake-South End?: Public access to Contoocook Lake-South End is listed as yes on the lake record. Seasons, size and bag limits, and whether you need a license are set by New Hampshire's fish and wildlife agency, so check its current regulations before you go.

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