Lake Wylie
Gaston County, North CarolinaView mapDirections
Nutrients and algae sit mid-range for this region.
- Eutrophic
- #2 of 5 in the county
- Public access
- Limited data
Lake Wylie in Gaston County, North Carolina has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Phosphorus: 30 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 13 µg/L.
- Type
- Eutrophic
- Trend
- → Stable
- Public access
- Yes
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Watch Lake Wylie’s letter
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Lake Wylie is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Gaston County, North Carolina. Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2022. Water clarity is improving over recent sampling years. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available. Compared to the 4 other monitored lakes in Gaston County, Lake Wylie ranks #2 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, NCDEQ, last sampled 2022-09-14. 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 C is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Lake Wylie is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for metals (other than mercury), pCBs, turbidity. Check local advisories before you swim.
Water Quality Grade: C (Fair)
No clarity data. Phosphorus 30 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 13 µg/L. TSI 54. 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) | 13 µg/L | Fair |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 54 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Fishing Lake Wylie
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.1 m/yr | 3 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +5 µg/L/yr | 3 |
EPA Impairment Status
Lake Wylie is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2022 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit NC11-(123.5)b · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (1.59 km)
County Ranking
Ranked #2 of 5 lakes in Gaston County
Nearby Lakes in Gaston County
Frequently asked questions about Lake Wylie
Where is Lake Wylie?
- Lake Wylie is a lake in Gaston 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 Wylie?
- Lake Wylie in Gaston County, North Carolina has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Phosphorus: 30 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 13 µg/L.
Is Lake Wylie safe to swim in?
- The C is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Lake Wylie is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for metals (other than mercury), pCBs, turbidity. Check local advisories before you swim.
Explore Lake Wylie across LakeQuality
18.4 mi away · cable-pulled, no boat wake
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
61 measurements from 4 monitoring stations, 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
21NC03WQ61 samples · 2022
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