Horseshoe Bend Lake
Horseshoe Bend Lake in Lake County, California has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Chlorophyll-a (algae): 20.3 µg/L.
- Type
- Eutrophic
Grade D measures nutrients and algae, not whether this is a good place for a cabin trip. Cabins and rentals near Horseshoe Bend Lake →
Horseshoe Bend Lake is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Lake County, California. Water quality is graded D based on 1 sampling years through 2026. Compared to the 35 other monitored lakes in Lake County, Horseshoe Bend Lake ranks #24 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, your state environmental agency, last sampled 2026-06-24. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Grade onlyBacteria advisory
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.
Nutrients and algae run higher than average — check local advisories before swimming, and skip the water if you see scum
Water Quality Grade: D (Nutrient-rich)
No clarity data. Chlorophyll-a: 20.3 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 60.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | No recent samples | |
| Phosphorus | No recent samples | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 20.3 µg/L | Poor |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 60 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Horseshoe Bend Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Horseshoe Bend Lake in Lake County, California — live availability and prices for your trip. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water. The water-quality grade measures nutrients and algae, not lodging — cabins and rentals around Horseshoe Bend Lake are listed below.
Top-rated places to stay near Horseshoe Bend Lake
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Fishing Horseshoe Bend Lake
EPA Impairment Status
Horseshoe Bend 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 CAL5135200019980814115549 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (1.67 km)
County Ranking
Ranked #24 of 36 lakes in Lake County
Nearby Lakes in Lake County
Frequently asked questions about Horseshoe Bend Lake
Where is Horseshoe Bend Lake?
- Horseshoe Bend Lake is a lake in Lake County, California. LakeQuality grades it D for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for Horseshoe Bend Lake?
- Horseshoe Bend Lake in Lake County, California has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Chlorophyll-a (algae): 20.3 µg/L.
Is Horseshoe Bend Lake safe to swim in?
- Nutrients and algae run higher than average — check local advisories before swimming, and skip the water if you see scum. Horseshoe Bend Lake has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Algae concentration (chlorophyll-a) is 20.3 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
Explore Horseshoe Bend Lake across LakeGrade
More California Lake Rankings
Other Grade D Lakes in California
Eutrophic Lakes in California
Where this data comes from
83 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2020–2026. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-21.
Collected and reported by
- Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians of the Big Valley Rancheria, California (Tribal)
CA_BVR83 samples · 2020–2026
Analytical methods
- Chlorophyll a
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
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
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database