Layc Lake
Shelby County, AlabamaView mapDirections
Nutrients and algae run above the regional average.
↓ down from C at the last regrade
- Eutrophic
- Impaired · Hydrologic alteration
- #2 of 2 in the county
Layc Lake in Shelby County, Alabama has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Water clarity: 3.7 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 25 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 18.7 µg/L.
- Clarity
- 3.7 ft
- Type
- Eutrophic
- Phosphorus
- 25 µg/L
- Chlorophyll-a
- 18.7 µg/L
- Trend
- → Stable
Stays via Stay22
Stays near Layc Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Layc Lake in Shelby County, Alabama — 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 Layc Lake are listed below.
Top-rated places to stay near Layc Lake
Prices for Sep 11–13, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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Watch Layc Lake’s letter
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Layc Lake is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Shelby County, Alabama. Water quality is graded D based on 2 sampling years through 2025. Phosphorus level is improving over recent sampling years. Compared to the 1 other monitored lakes in Shelby County, Layc Lake ranks #2 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, ADEM, last sampled 2025-10-22. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
Swimming Safety
Grade onlyAlgae risk
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. Layc Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for hydrologic alteration, nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen), oxygen depletion (low DO), pCBs. Check local advisories before you swim.
Water Quality Grade: D (Nutrient-rich)
Murky, only visible to about 3.7 ft. Phosphorus 25 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 18.7 µg/L. TSI 56. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 3.7 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 25 µg/L | Fair |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 18.7 µg/L | Poor |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 56 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Fishing Layc Lake
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | → Stable | +0.02 m/yr | 5 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -0.9 µg/L/yr | 5 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↓ Declining | +0.65 µg/L/yr | 5 |
EPA Impairment Status
Layc Lake 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 AL03150107-0503-110 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (1.23 km)
County Ranking
Ranked #2 of 2 lakes in Shelby County
Nearby Lakes With Higher Grades
Layc Lake holds Grade D. 3 nearby lakes hold higher nutrient-and-algae grades — useful for a swim day, not a reason to skip lodging here.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Shelby County
Frequently asked questions about Layc Lake
Where is Layc Lake?
- Layc Lake is a lake in Shelby County, Alabama. LakeQuality grades it D for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for Layc Lake?
- Layc Lake in Shelby County, Alabama has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Water clarity: 3.7 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 25 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 18.7 µg/L.
Is Layc Lake safe to swim in?
- The D is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Layc Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for hydrologic alteration, nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen), oxygen depletion (low DO), pCBs. Check local advisories before you swim.
Explore Layc Lake across LakeQuality
More Alabama Lake Rankings
Other Grade D Lakes in Alabama
Eutrophic Lakes in Alabama
Where this data comes from
122 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2013–2025. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- ALABAMA DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT - WATER QUALITY DATA
21AWIC122 samples · 2013–2025
Analytical methods
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
- 10200 H ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
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