Lake Tugalo
Lake Tugalo in Oconee County, South Carolina has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 7.9 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 20 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 3.9 µg/L.
- Clarity
- 7.9 ft
- Type
- Mesotrophic
- Trend
- → Stable
Lake Tugalo is a mesotrophic lake in Oconee County, South Carolina. Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2022. Phosphorus level is improving over recent sampling years. Compared to the 8 other monitored lakes in Oconee County, Lake Tugalo ranks #5 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, SCDES, last sampled 2022-06-29. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Grade onlyModerate
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.
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C (Fair)
Moderate clarity, visible to about 7.9 ft. Phosphorus level: 20 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 3.9 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 46.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 7.9 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 20 µg/L | Fair |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 3.9 µg/L | Good |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 46 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Lake Tugalo
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Lake Tugalo in Oconee County, South 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.
Top-rated places to stay near Lake Tugalo
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Fishing Lake Tugalo
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 13 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | → Stable | -0.03 m/yr | 11 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -1.35 µg/L/yr | 2 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↓ Declining | +0.12 µg/L/yr | 13 |
County Ranking
Ranked #5 of 9 lakes in Oconee County
Nearby Lakes in Oconee County
Frequently asked questions about Lake Tugalo
What is the water quality grade for Lake Tugalo?
- Lake Tugalo in Oconee County, South Carolina has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 7.9 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 20 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 3.9 µg/L.
Is Lake Tugalo safe to swim in?
- Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality. Lake Tugalo has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Algae concentration (chlorophyll-a) is 3.9 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
Explore Lake Tugalo across LakeGrade
More South 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 C Lakes in South Carolina
Mesotrophic Lakes in South Carolina
Where this data comes from
218 measurements from 2 monitoring stations, 2013–2022. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Georgia DNR Environmental Protection Division
21GAEPD_WQX218 samples · 2013–2022
Monitoring station identifiers (2)
Grade thresholds come from the U.S. EPA National Lakes Assessment 2022 Technical Support Document (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See how grades are calculated and data sources.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grade thresholds from the EPA National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion
Most recent sample: 2022-06-29
Monitoring stations: 2