Oneida Lake is a mesotrophic lake in Livingston County, Michigan. Water quality is graded C based on 1 sampling years through 2022. Water clarity is improving over recent sampling years. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 2 public boat landings. Compared to the 19 other monitored lakes in Livingston County, Oneida Lake ranks #15 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2022-09-16. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Moderate clarity, visible to about 8 ft. Trophic State Index: 47.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 8 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 47 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Oneida Lake
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Fishing Oneida Lake
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +1.7 m/yr | 3 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↓ Declining | +0.05 µg/L/yr | 3 |
Recreation & Access
Location & Depth Map
Free interactive depth-contour map of Oneida Lake, reaching a maximum surveyed depth of 33 ft. Toggle Depth contours to overlay the bathymetric survey lines. Contour data from Michigan DNR.
County Ranking
Ranked #15 of 20 lakes in Livingston County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Oneida Lake holds Grade C. 3 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
Nearby Lakes in Livingston County
Explore Oneida Lake across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Michigan
Fish species and best lakes in Livingston 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
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More Michigan Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in Michigan
Washtenaw County · Clarity: 9 ft
Washtenaw County · Clarity: 5.8 ft
Washtenaw County · Clarity: 7.2 ft
Washtenaw County · Clarity: 9.5 ft
Genesee County · Clarity: 9 ft
Shiawassee County · Clarity: 5 ft
Mesotrophic Lakes in Michigan
More records, surveys & data sources
EPA Impairment Status
Oneida 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 MI040900050307-09 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (1.94 km)
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
1 EPA-permitted facility operate within about 5 miles of Oneida Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits.
- Mdc-Camp BrightonPinckney · 3.3 mi away · NPDES MIG960009
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
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
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: 2022-09-16
Monitoring stations: 1