Horsehead Lake
Mecosta County, WisconsinLimited DataMesotrophic
Horsehead Lake is a 430-acre mesotrophic lake in Mecosta County, MI. Water quality is graded B based on 1 sampling years through 2022. Compared to the 11 other monitored lakes in Mecosta County, Horsehead Lake ranks #6 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, local state DNR records, last sampled 2022-09-15. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Good clarity, visible to about 11.5 ft. Trophic State Index: 42.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 11.5 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 42 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 430 acres |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #6 of 12 lakes in Mecosta County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Horsehead Lake holds Grade B. 2 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- AHorsehead Lake Northwest Basin; Martiny TownshipMecosta County · 0.3 mi · Higher grade (B → A)
- ABlue Lake North Central BasinMecosta County · 4.2 mi · Higher grade (B → A)
Nearby Lakes in Mecosta County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
Other Grade B Lakes in Wisconsin
Lapeer County · Clarity: 9.5 ft
Livingston County · Clarity: 13 ft
Manistee County · Clarity: 11 ft
Lake County · Clarity: 14 ft
Cass County · Clarity: 10.5 ft
Genesee County · Clarity: 10 ft
Mesotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Horsehead Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Horsehead Lake Dam (completed 1961), built primarily for other on the Gilbert Creek; earth-type dam, 7 ft tall.
- Surface area
- 430 ac
- Normal storage
- 600 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 1,800 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 10.27 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Low
- Owner
- Mecosta County Drain Commissioner
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID MI00941 · Operator website
EPA Impairment Status
Horsehead Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MI040601020801-03 · 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: 2022-09-15
Monitoring stations: 1