Harwood Lake is a mesotrophic lake in Cass County, Michigan. Water quality is graded C based on 1 sampling years through 2022. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. The lake supports 11 documented fish species including Blackchin shiner, Blackstripe topminnow, and Bluegill. Public access is available with 4 public boat landings. Compared to the 22 other monitored lakes in Cass County, Harwood Lake ranks #13 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2022-09-16. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Harwood Lake water quality
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Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Moderate clarity, visible to about 8.3 ft. Trophic State Index: 47.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 8.3 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 47 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Harwood Lake
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Harwood Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.3 m/yr | 2 |
Recreation & Access
Location & Depth Map
Free interactive depth-contour map of Harwood Lake, reaching a maximum surveyed depth of 50 ft. Toggle Depth contours to overlay the bathymetric survey lines. Contour data from Michigan DNR.
County Ranking
Ranked #13 of 23 lakes in Cass County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Harwood Lake holds Grade C. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
Nearby Lakes in Cass County
Explore Harwood Lake across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Michigan
Fish species and best lakes in Cass 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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More Michigan Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in Michigan
Kalamazoo County · Clarity: 9 ft
St. Joseph County · Clarity: 9.5 ft
Kalamazoo County · Clarity: 8 ft
St. Joseph County · Clarity: 6 ft
Van Buren County · Clarity: 8 ft
Kalamazoo County · Clarity: 9.5 ft
Mesotrophic Lakes in Michigan
More records, surveys & data sources
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
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Most recent sample: 2022-09-16
Monitoring stations: 1