North Lake North Central Basin; Dexter Township is a mesotrophic lake in Washtenaw County, Michigan. Water quality is graded A based on 2 sampling years through 2023. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. The lake supports 2 documented fish species including Redear sunfish and Warmouth. Public access is available with 3 public boat landings. Compared to the 16 other monitored lakes in Washtenaw County, North Lake North Central Basin; Dexter Township ranks #2 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2023-09-18. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch North Lake North Central Basin; Dexter Township water quality
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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 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 3.8 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 42.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 12 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 3.8 µg/L | A |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 42 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near North Lake North Central Basin; Dexter Township
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing North Lake North Central Basin; Dexter Township
- → North Lake North Central Basin; Dexter Township fishing forecast & best times (species outlook + 14-day solunar calendar)
- → North Lake North Central Basin; Dexter Township fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
- → Is it safe to eat fish from North Lake North Central Basin; Dexter Township? (mercury & PFAS guide)
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.58 m/yr | 2 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↓ Declining | +0.15 µg/L/yr | 3 |
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
North Lake North Central Basin; Dexter Township averages about 59°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Aug (about 61°F) and coldest in Apr (about 51°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 1,179 field readings (2014–2023) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full North Lake North Central Basin; Dexter Township water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #2 of 17 lakes in Washtenaw County
Nearby Lakes in Washtenaw County
Explore North Lake North Central Basin; Dexter Township across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Michigan
Fish species and best lakes in Washtenaw County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Michigan's top lakes, each with its grade
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Michigan's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More Michigan Lake Rankings
Other Grade A Lakes in Michigan
Livingston County · Excellent
Jackson County · Clarity: 10 ft
Livingston County · Clarity: 10 ft
Lenawee County · Clarity: 13.5 ft
Lenawee County · Clarity: 10.8 ft
Lenawee County · Clarity: 12 ft
Mesotrophic Lakes in Michigan
More records, surveys & data sources
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
2 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of North Lake North Central Basin; Dexter Township under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 1 facility has a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Mdnr-Bruin Lake Cg WwslPinckney · 2.8 mi away · NPDES MI0044946Recent violation
- Mdnr-Bruin Lake Cg WwslGregory · 3.1 mi away · NPDES MIG960035
Facilities permitted to discharge under the Clean Water Act within ~5 miles; proximity does not by itself mean a facility affects this lake. Source: EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES), as of 2026-07.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Most recent sample: 2023-09-18
Monitoring stations: 1