Nelson Lake is a mesotrophic lake in Kent County, Michigan. Water quality is graded C based on 1 sampling years through 2023. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. Compared to the 17 other monitored lakes in Kent County, Nelson Lake ranks #15 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2023-09-15. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Nelson Lake water quality
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Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Moderate clarity, visible to about 7 ft. Trophic State Index: 49.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 7 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 49 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Nelson Lake
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Fishing Nelson Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +5.09 m/yr | 2 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #15 of 18 lakes in Kent County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Nelson Lake holds Grade C. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
Nearby Lakes in Kent County
Explore Nelson Lake across LakeGrade
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Moderate nutrients, good water quality
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Other Grade C Lakes in Michigan
Ottawa County · Clarity: 4 ft
Newaygo County · Clarity: 4.5 ft
Montcalm County · Clarity: 9 ft
Montcalm County · Clarity: 9.5 ft
Allegan County · Clarity: 8 ft
Allegan County · Clarity: 8 ft
Mesotrophic Lakes in Michigan
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: 2023-09-15
Monitoring stations: 1