Little Platte Lake is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Benzie County, Michigan. Water quality is graded D based on 1 sampling years through 2021. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available. Compared to the 34 other monitored lakes in Benzie County, Little Platte Lake ranks #35 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2021-09-09. 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 6.5 ft. Trophic State Index: 50.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 6.5 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 50 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Little Platte Lake
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Fishing Little Platte Lake
Location & Depth Map
Free interactive depth-contour map of Little Platte Lake, reaching a maximum surveyed depth of 8 ft. Toggle Depth contours to overlay the bathymetric survey lines. Contour data from Michigan DNR.
County Ranking
Ranked #35 of 35 lakes in Benzie County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Little Platte Lake holds Grade D. 4 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
Nearby Lakes in Benzie County
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High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
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More records, surveys & data sources
EPA Impairment Status
Little Platte Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MI040601040206-03 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (2.25 km)
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2021-09-09
Monitoring stations: 1