Oxbow Lake
Oakland County, WisconsinLimited DataOligotrophic
Oxbow Lake is a 290-acre cold, clear oligotrophic lake in Oakland County, MI. Water quality is graded A based on 1 sampling years through 2022. The lake supports 1 documented fish species including Lake herring. Compared to the 44 other monitored lakes in Oakland County, Oxbow Lake ranks #3 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, local state DNR records, last sampled 2022-09-17. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
Crystal clear, you can see 15 ft down. Trophic State Index: 38.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 15 ft | A |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 38 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 290 acres |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Wisconsin and Minnesota lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Oxbow Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Oxbow Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Oxbow Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #3 of 45 lakes in Oakland County
Nearby Lakes in Oakland County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
Other Grade A Lakes in Wisconsin
Mecosta County · Clarity: 12.8 ft
Benzie County · Clarity: 13.5 ft
Clare County · Clarity: 15 ft
Kalkaska County · Clarity: 16 ft
Gogebic County · Clarity: 18 ft
Iron County · Clarity: 16 ft
Oligotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Oxbow Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Oxbow Dam (completed 1964), built primarily for recreation on the Huron River; earth-type dam, 15 ft tall and 255 ft long.
- Surface area
- 290 ac
- Normal storage
- 6,900 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 2,100 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 25.7 sq mi
- Hazard class
- High
- Owner
- Oakland County Drain Commissioner
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID MI00263 · Operator website
EPA Impairment Status
Oxbow 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 MI040900050101-04 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (2.87 km)
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2022-09-17
Monitoring stations: 1