Horsethief Basin Lake is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Yavapai County, Arizona. Water quality is graded D based on 1 sampling years through 2026. Compared to the 8 other monitored lakes in Yavapai County, Horsethief Basin Lake ranks #6 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Arizona DNR, last sampled 2026-03-30. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk
Water Quality Grade: D, Poor
Murky, only visible to about 3.8 ft. Phosphorus level: 74 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 62.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 3.8 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | 74 µg/L | D |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 62 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
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Fishing Horsethief Basin Lake
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #6 of 9 lakes in Yavapai County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Horsethief Basin Lake holds Grade D. 2 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
Nearby Lakes in Yavapai County
Explore Horsethief Basin Lake across LakeGrade
More Arizona Lake Rankings
Other Grade D Lakes in Arizona
Eutrophic Lakes in Arizona
More records, surveys & data sources
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2026-03-30
Monitoring stations: 1