Osterhout Lake Northern Basin is a mesotrophic lake in Allegan 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 11 other monitored lakes in Allegan County, Osterhout Lake Northern Basin ranks #8 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2023-09-14. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Osterhout Lake Northern Basin water quality
Subscribe for LakeQuality updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Moderate clarity, visible to about 8.5 ft. Trophic State Index: 46.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 8.5 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 46 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Osterhout Lake Northern Basin
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Osterhout Lake Northern Basin in Allegan County, Michigan — live availability and prices for your trip. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water.
Top-rated places to stay near Osterhout Lake Northern Basin
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a trip to Osterhout Lake Northern Basin?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Osterhout Lake Northern Basin — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Michigan’s top lakes →
Fishing Osterhout Lake Northern Basin
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.97 m/yr | 3 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #8 of 12 lakes in Allegan County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Osterhout Lake Northern Basin holds Grade C. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
Nearby Lakes in Allegan County
Explore Osterhout Lake Northern Basin across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Michigan
Fish species and best lakes in Allegan 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 C Lakes in Michigan
Van Buren County · Clarity: 9.5 ft
Van Buren County · Clarity: 9.5 ft
Van Buren County · Clarity: 7.8 ft
Van Buren County · Clarity: 8.3 ft
Van Buren County · Clarity: 8 ft
Van Buren County · Clarity: 8 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 Osterhout Lake Northern Basin under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 1 facility has a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Pullman Industries Inc.Pullman · 3.5 mi away · NPDES MIG250128Recent violation
- Antioch Packing HouseAntioch · 4.6 mi away · NPDES IL0067733
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
Most recent sample: 2023-09-14
Monitoring stations: 1