Lake Norman
Iredell County, North CarolinaView mapDirections
Nutrients and algae sit mid-range for this region.
↓ down from B at the last regrade
- Eutrophic
- #1 of 2 in the county
- Public access
- Limited data
Lake Norman in Iredell County, North Carolina has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Phosphorus: 25 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 8.5 µg/L.
- Type
- Eutrophic
- Public access
- Yes
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Lake Norman is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Iredell County, North Carolina. Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2022. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 3 public boat landings. Compared to the 1 other monitored lakes in Iredell County, Lake Norman ranks #1 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, NCDEQ, last sampled 2022-09-08. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
What Lake Norman is good for
From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.
- Boat launch3 documented ramps
Swimming Safety
Grade onlyLimited data
Based on clarity and algae grades from past sampling — we do not hold live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
The C is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.
Water Quality Grade: C (Fair)
No clarity data. Phosphorus 25 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 8.5 µg/L. TSI 51. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | No recent samples | |
| Phosphorus | 25 µg/L | Fair |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 8.5 µg/L | Fair |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 51 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Recreation & Access
- Long IslandPublic
- Stumpy Creek Boat LandingPublic
- Lake Norman State Park Boat RampPublic
Named access points in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory, within about 3 miles. More lakes with boat ramps
Fishing Lake Norman
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 2 lakes in Iredell County
Nearby Lakes in Iredell County
Frequently asked questions about Lake Norman
Where is Lake Norman?
- Lake Norman is a lake in Iredell County, North Carolina. LakeQuality grades it C for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for Lake Norman?
- Lake Norman in Iredell County, North Carolina has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Phosphorus: 25 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 8.5 µg/L.
Is Lake Norman safe to swim in?
- The C is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.
Are there boat ramps on Lake Norman?
- Lake Norman has 3 documented boat landings in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Long Island, Stumpy Creek Boat Landing, Lake Norman State Park Boat Ramp. Public access is listed as yes.
Explore Lake Norman across LakeQuality
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at North Carolina's top lakes, each with its grade
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
North Carolina's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More North Carolina Lake Rankings
Ranked by overall water quality grade
Top 25 by Secchi water clarity
Grade A/B + low algae filter
Panfish-rich, public access
Full state directory
Other Grade C Lakes in North Carolina
Eutrophic Lakes in North Carolina
Where this data comes from
14 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2022. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- North Carolina Dept of Environmental Quality NCDEQ-DWR WQX
21NC03WQ14 samples · 2022
Analytical methods
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
- 445.0 ~ EPA; Chlorophyll and Pheophytin in Algae by Fluorescence
- 2130 B ~ Nephelometric Method
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
Grade thresholds from the EPA National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See how grades are calculated and data sources.
Other records on this page
Named boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory