Kimball Lake Central Basin; Garfield Township is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Newaygo County, Michigan. Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2023. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 21 documented fish species including Black crappie, Blackchin shiner, and Blacknose shiner. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 16 other monitored lakes in Newaygo County, Kimball Lake Central Basin; Garfield Township ranks #15 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2023-09-16. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Kimball Lake Central Basin; Garfield Township water quality
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Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Murky, only visible to about 4.5 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 6.4 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 52.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 4.5 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 6.4 µg/L | B |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 52 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Kimball Lake Central Basin; Garfield Township
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Kimball Lake Central Basin; Garfield Township
- → Kimball Lake Central Basin; Garfield Township fishing forecast & best times (species outlook + 14-day solunar calendar)
- → Kimball Lake Central Basin; Garfield Township fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
- → Is it safe to eat fish from Kimball Lake Central Basin; Garfield Township? (mercury & PFAS guide)
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 4 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +1.073 m/yr | 4 |
| Chlorophyll-a | → Stable | -0.05 µg/L/yr | 3 |
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Kimball Lake Central Basin; Garfield Township averages about 54°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Sep (about 56°F) and coldest in May (about 50°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 756 field readings (2021–2023) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Kimball Lake Central Basin; Garfield Township water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #15 of 17 lakes in Newaygo County
Nearby Lakes in Newaygo County
Explore Kimball Lake Central Basin; Garfield Township across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Michigan
Fish species and best lakes in Newaygo County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Michigan's top lakes, each with its grade
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Michigan's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More Michigan Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in Michigan
Eutrophic Lakes in Michigan
More records, surveys & data sources
EPA Impairment Status
Kimball Lake Central Basin; Garfield Township is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MI040601020903-02 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (0.31 km)
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
1 EPA-permitted facility operate within about 5 miles of Kimball Lake Central Basin; Garfield Township under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 1 facility has a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Newaygo WwtpNewaygo · 3.6 mi away · NPDES MI0048577Recent violation
Facilities permitted to discharge under the Clean Water Act within ~5 miles; proximity does not by itself mean a facility affects this lake. Source: EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES), as of 2026-07.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
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: 2023-09-16
Monitoring stations: 1