Lake Tillery
Montgomery County, North CarolinaView mapDirections
Nutrients and algae run above the regional average.
↓ down from C at the last regrade
- Eutrophic
- #2 of 3 in the county
- Public access
- Limited data
Lake Tillery in Montgomery County, North Carolina has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Phosphorus: 30 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 15 µg/L.
- Type
- Eutrophic
- Public access
- Yes
Stays via Stay22
Stays near Lake Tillery
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Lake Tillery in Montgomery County, North Carolina — live availability and prices for your trip. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water. The water-quality grade measures nutrients and algae, not lodging — cabins and rentals around Lake Tillery are listed below.
Top-rated places to stay near Lake Tillery
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Lake Tillery is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Montgomery County, North Carolina. Water quality is graded D based on 2 sampling years through 2021. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available. Compared to the 2 other monitored lakes in Montgomery County, Lake Tillery ranks #2 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, NCDEQ, last sampled 2021-09-14. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
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 D is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Lake Tillery is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for pCBs. Check local advisories before you swim.
Water Quality Grade: D (Nutrient-rich)
No clarity data. Phosphorus 30 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 15 µg/L. TSI 55. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | No recent samples | |
| Phosphorus | 30 µg/L | Fair |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 15 µg/L | Poor |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 55 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Fishing Lake Tillery
EPA Impairment Status
Lake Tillery is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2022 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit NC13-(1)a · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (2.44 km)
County Ranking
Ranked #2 of 3 lakes in Montgomery County
Nearby Lakes in Montgomery County
Frequently asked questions about Lake Tillery
Where is Lake Tillery?
- Lake Tillery is a lake in Montgomery County, North Carolina. LakeQuality grades it D for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for Lake Tillery?
- Lake Tillery in Montgomery County, North Carolina has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Phosphorus: 30 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 15 µg/L.
Is Lake Tillery safe to swim in?
- The D is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Lake Tillery is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for pCBs. Check local advisories before you swim.
Explore Lake Tillery across LakeQuality
Depth, room, public access, and the state wake-sport rules
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 D Lakes in North Carolina
Eutrophic Lakes in North Carolina
Where this data comes from
63 measurements from 4 monitoring stations, 2021. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- North Carolina Dept of Environmental Quality NCDEQ-DWR WQX
21NC03WQ63 samples · 2021
Analytical methods
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
- 445.0 ~ EPA; Chlorophyll and Pheophytin in Algae by Fluorescence
- 2130 B ~ Nephelometric Method
Monitoring station identifiers (4)
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
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database