Fontana Lake
Swain County, North CarolinaView mapDirections
Nutrients and algae sit mid-range for this region.
↓ down from A at the last regrade
- Mesotrophic
- #1 of 1 in the county
- Public access
- Limited data
Fontana Lake in Swain County, North Carolina has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 13.6 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 30 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 4.7 µg/L.
- Clarity
- 13.6 ft
- Type
- Mesotrophic
- Public access
- Yes
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Stays near Fontana Lake
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Watch Fontana Lake’s letter
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Fontana Lake is a mesotrophic lake in Swain County, North Carolina. Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2024. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, NCDEQ, last sampled 2024-11-05. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
What Fontana Lake is good for
From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.
- Clear water13.6 ft of visibility
- Camping1 public campground nearby
Swimming Safety
Grade onlyLimited data
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 C is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.
Water Quality Grade: C (Fair)
Good clarity, visible to about 13.6 ft. Phosphorus 30 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 4.7 µg/L. TSI 46. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 13.6 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 30 µg/L | Fair |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 4.7 µg/L | Good |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 46 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Recreation & Access
Public campgrounds near Fontana Lake
- Tsali Campground4.1 km
Nearest public campgrounds in the USGS National Map inventory, within about 3 miles. An empty list means USGS records no campground that close, which is not the same as camping being unavailable. Where the source gives an official reservation link, it is used; the cabin and hotel search does not cover campsites. More camping lakes
Fishing Fontana Lake
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 1 lakes in Swain County
Nearby Lakes in Swain County
Frequently asked questions about Fontana Lake
Where is Fontana Lake?
- Fontana Lake is a lake in Swain County, North Carolina. LakeQuality grades it C for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for Fontana Lake?
- Fontana Lake in Swain County, North Carolina has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 13.6 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 30 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 4.7 µg/L.
Is Fontana Lake safe to swim in?
- The C is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.
Are there campgrounds on Fontana Lake?
- Fontana Lake has 1 public campground from USGS The National Map within 5 km, including Tsali Campground. This is a location join, not a booking. Cabins and hotels are listed separately; campsite reservations use the official link when the source provides one.
Explore Fontana Lake across LakeQuality
2 documented falls within 19.7 mi, nearest Laurel Falls
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at North Carolina's top lakes, each with its grade
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
North Carolina's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
Planning a trip around Great Smoky Mountains?
Fontana Lake is about 12 miles from Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Crowds there swing hard by season, so the month you pick changes both how busy the park is and what lodging costs.
Best time to visit Great Smoky Mountains →More North Carolina Lake Rankings
Ranked by overall water quality grade
Top 25 by Secchi water clarity
Grade A/B + low algae filter
Panfish-rich, public access
Full state directory
Other Grade C Lakes in North Carolina
Mesotrophic Lakes in North Carolina
Where this data comes from
60 measurements from 3 monitoring stations, 2024. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- North Carolina Dept of Environmental Quality NCDEQ-DWR WQX
21NC03WQ60 samples · 2024
Analytical methods
- WSSSOP
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
- 445.0 ~ EPA; Chlorophyll and Pheophytin in Algae by Fluorescence
- 2130 B ~ Nephelometric Method
Monitoring station identifiers (3)
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
Public campgrounds from USGS The National Map Structures, within about 3 miles