Nantahala Lake is a mesotrophic lake in Macon County, North Carolina. Water quality is graded A based on 2 sampling years through 2024. Compared to the 1 other monitored lakes in Macon County, Nantahala Lake ranks #1 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, North Carolina DNR, last sampled 2024-11-07. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
Good clarity, visible to about 12.5 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 3.1 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 41.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 12.5 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 3.1 µg/L | A |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 41 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
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Fishing Nantahala Lake
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 2 lakes in Macon County
Nearby Lakes in Macon County
Explore Nantahala Lake 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 A Lakes in North Carolina
Mesotrophic 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: 2024-11-07
Monitoring stations: 3