Lake Independence is a 2,071-acre mesotrophic lake in Marquette County, Michigan. Water quality is graded C based on 1 sampling years through 2022. Water clarity is improving over recent sampling years. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available. Compared to the 9 other monitored lakes in Marquette County, Lake Independence ranks #10 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2022-09-10. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Lake Independence water quality
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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 | 2,071 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near Lake Independence
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Fishing Lake Independence
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +1.52 m/yr | 3 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↓ Declining | +0.95 µg/L/yr | 3 |
Location & Depth Map
Free interactive depth-contour map of Lake Independence, reaching a maximum surveyed depth of 30 ft. Toggle Depth contours to overlay the bathymetric survey lines. Contour data from Michigan DNR.
County Ranking
Ranked #10 of 10 lakes in Marquette County
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Explore Lake Independence across LakeGrade
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Fish species and best lakes in Marquette County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Moderate nutrients, good water quality
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Other Grade C Lakes in Michigan
Iron County · Clarity: 9 ft
Iron County · Clarity: 7.5 ft
Iron County · Clarity: 7.3 ft
Iron County · Clarity: 6 ft
Iron County · Clarity: 8 ft
Iron County · Clarity: 8.5 ft
Mesotrophic Lakes in Michigan
More records, surveys & data sources
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
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2022-09-10
Monitoring stations: 1