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LakeQuality
B

Lake Orion

Oakland County, WisconsinLimited DataMesotrophic

Lake Orion is a 470-acre mesotrophic lake in Oakland County, MI. Water quality is graded B based on 1 sampling years through 2022. Compared to the 44 other monitored lakes in Oakland County, Lake Orion ranks #11 for water quality.

Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, local state DNR records, last sampled 2022-09-14. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.

Swimming Safety

Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels

Water Quality Grade: B, Good

Good clarity, visible to about 13 ft. Trophic State Index: 40.

MetricValueGrade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)13 ftB
PhosphorusNo data
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)No data
Trophic State Index (TSI)40Mesotrophic

Moderate nutrients, good water quality

Lake Details

CharacteristicValue
Surface Area470 acres

Location

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County Ranking

Ranked #11 of 45 lakes in Oakland County

Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles

Lake Orion holds Grade B. One nearby lake has a higher grade.

See full comparison →

Nearby Lakes in Oakland County

Reservoir Info (USACE NID)

Lake Orion is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Lake Orion Dam (completed 1829), built primarily for other on the Paint Creek; gravity-type dam, 18 ft tall and 760 ft long.

Surface area
470 ac
Normal storage
1,800 ac-ft
Max storage
3,600 ac-ft
Drainage area
37 sq mi
Hazard class
Significant
Owner
Village of Lake Orion

Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID MI00259 · Operator website

EPA Impairment Status

Lake Orion is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).

Causes of impairment

MercuryNutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen)Oxygen depletion (low DO)PesticidesPCBs

Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MI040900030105-02 · 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: 2022-09-14

Monitoring stations: 1