Great Bear Lake
Van Buren County, WisconsinLimited DataMesotrophic
Great Bear Lake is a mesotrophic lake in Van Buren County, MI. Water quality is graded C based on 1 sampling years through 2021. Compared to the 14 other monitored lakes in Van Buren County, Great Bear Lake ranks #8 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, local state DNR records, last sampled 2021-09-09. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Moderate clarity, visible to about 7.8 ft. Trophic State Index: 48.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 7.8 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 48 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #8 of 15 lakes in Van Buren County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Great Bear Lake holds Grade C. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Van Buren County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in Wisconsin
Cass County · Clarity: 7 ft
Leelanau County · Clarity: 9.5 ft
Iosco County · Clarity: 5.5 ft
Muskegon County · Clarity: 6.8 ft
Gladwin County · Clarity: 9 ft
Montmorency County · Clarity: 9 ft
Mesotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
EPA Impairment Status
Great Bear Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 4A).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MI040500020206-03 · Official waterbody report
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2021-09-09
Monitoring stations: 1