Lake Nockamixon is a 1,450-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Water quality is graded D based on 1 sampling years through 2023. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 3 public boat landings.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Pennsylvania DNR, last sampled 2023-07-23. 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 4.8 ft. Trophic State Index: 55.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 4.8 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 55 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 1,450 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
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Fishing Lake Nockamixon
Recreation & Access
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 1 lakes in Bucks County
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Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Lake Nockamixon is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Nockamixon (completed 1973), built primarily for recreation on the TOHICKON CREEK; rockfill-type dam, 112 ft tall and 1,511 ft long.
- Surface area
- 1,450 ac
- Normal storage
- 40,000 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 71,000 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 73.3 sq mi
- Hazard class
- High
- Owner
- DCNR
All listed purposes: Recreation;Flood Risk Reduction.
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID PA00734 · Operator website
EPA Impairment Status
Lake Nockamixon 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 PA-LRP-02040105003977 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (0.43 km)
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
29 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Lake Nockamixon under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 13 facilities have a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Nockamixon State Park StpPerkasie · 1.8 mi away · NPDES PA0042641Recent violation
- Tohickon Family Campground WwtpQuakertown · 2.7 mi away · NPDES PA0051586Recent violation
- Harrow Station StpOttsville · 3.1 mi away · NPDES PA0058017Recent violation
- Success Rehabilitation Clinic WwtpQuakertown · 3.5 mi away · NPDES PA0054704Recent violation
- Bradshaw ReservoirPlumstead · 3.6 mi away · NPDES PA0052221Recent violation
- Heidelberg Materials Ne Ottsville QuarryOttsville · 3.7 mi away · NPDES PA0611999Recent 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: 2023-07-23
Monitoring stations: 1