Lake Independence
Marquette County, WisconsinLimited DataMesotrophic
Lake Independence is a 2,071-acre mesotrophic lake in Marquette County, MI. Water quality is graded C based on 1 sampling years through 2022. Compared to the 9 other monitored lakes in Marquette County, Lake Independence ranks #10 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, local state DNR records, last sampled 2022-09-10. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Moderate clarity, visible to about 9 ft. Trophic State Index: 45.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 9 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 45 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 2.1K acres |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #10 of 10 lakes in Marquette County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Lake Independence holds Grade C. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Marquette County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in Wisconsin
Cass County · Clarity: 7 ft
Leelanau County · Clarity: 9.5 ft
Iosco County · Clarity: 5.5 ft
Muskegon County · Clarity: 6.8 ft
Gladwin County · Clarity: 9 ft
Montmorency County · Clarity: 9 ft
Mesotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Lake Independence is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Lake Independence Dam (completed 1913), built primarily for recreation on the Iron River; earth-type dam, 14 ft tall and 150 ft long.
- Surface area
- 2,071 ac
- Normal storage
- 9,330 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 16,100 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 95 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Low
- Owner
- Marquette County Drain Commissioner
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID MI00438 · Operator website
EPA Impairment Status
Lake Independence is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 4A).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MI040201050303-02 · 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: 2022-09-10
Monitoring stations: 1