Emerald Lake is a mesotrophic lake in Kent County, Michigan. Water quality is graded B based on 1 sampling years through 2022. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 15 documented fish species including Black crappie, Blacknose shiner, and Bluegill. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 17 other monitored lakes in Kent County, Emerald Lake ranks #8 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2022-09-15. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Good clarity, visible to about 12.3 ft. Trophic State Index: 41.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 12.3 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 41 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Emerald Lake
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Emerald Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +2.44 m/yr | 3 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -0.5 µg/L/yr | 3 |
Recreation & Access
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #8 of 18 lakes in Kent County
Nearby Lakes in Kent County
Explore Emerald Lake across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Michigan
Fish species and best lakes in Kent 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
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Other Grade B Lakes in Michigan
Mesotrophic Lakes in Michigan
More records, surveys & data sources
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
10 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Emerald Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits, including 1 classified by the EPA as major discharger. 4 facilities have a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- North Kent Sa WwtpGrand Rapids · 2 mi away · NPDES MI0057419MajorRecent violation
- Kent Crc MS4Grand Rapids · 3.4 mi away · NPDES MI0060111Recent violation
- Bps Building InvestorsGrand Rapids · 3.5 mi away · NPDES MI0043869Recent violation
- Grand Rapids-Singer ParkGrand Rapids · 4.3 mi away · NPDES MIG250006Recent violation
- Amoco Service Station #9758Grand Rapids · 1 mi away · NPDES MIG080884
- Plainfield Twp MS4-KentBelmont · 2.9 mi away · NPDES MI0060114
Facilities permitted to discharge under the Clean Water Act within ~5 miles; proximity does not by itself mean a facility affects this lake. Source: EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES), as of 2026-07.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Most recent sample: 2022-09-15
Monitoring stations: 1