Oneal Lake is a 138-acre cold, clear oligotrophic lake in Emmet County, Michigan. Water quality is graded A based on 2 sampling years through 2022. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 9 other monitored lakes in Emmet County, Oneal Lake ranks #8 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2022-02-15. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
No clarity data. Phosphorus level: 4.2 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 6.6 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 37.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | No data | |
| Phosphorus | 4.2 µg/L | A |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 6.6 µg/L | B |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 37 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 138 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near Oneal Lake
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Fishing Oneal Lake
Recreation & Access
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #8 of 10 lakes in Emmet County
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Explore Oneal Lake across LakeGrade
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Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
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Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Oneal Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the O'Neal Lake Dam (completed 1954), built primarily for recreation on the Big Sucker Creek; earth-type dam, 10 ft tall and 160 ft long.
- Surface area
- 138 ac
- Normal storage
- 500 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 1,250 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 8.1 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Low
- Owner
- MDNR Parks & Recreation
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID MI00033 · Operator website
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
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: 2022-02-15
Monitoring stations: 1