Lake Townsend is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Guilford County, North Carolina. Water quality is graded D based on 3 sampling years through 2023. Compared to the 4 other monitored lakes in Guilford County, Lake Townsend ranks #2 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, North Carolina DNR, last sampled 2023-09-14. 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 3.5 ft. Phosphorus level: 40 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 28 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 60.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 3.5 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | 40 µg/L | C |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 28 µg/L | D |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 60 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
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Fishing Lake Townsend
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #2 of 5 lakes in Guilford County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Lake Townsend holds Grade D. 2 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- ABelews LakeStokes County · 17.2 mi · Two grade letters higher (D → A)
- CLake MackintoshGuilford County · 15.7 mi · Higher grade (D → C)
Nearby Lakes in Guilford County
Explore Lake Townsend across LakeGrade
More North Carolina Lake Rankings
Top 25 by overall water quality score
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
More records, surveys & data sources
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2023-09-14
Monitoring stations: 3