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LakeQuality

Pataganset Lake

C
Grade C — Fair
Fair · #9 of 10 lakes in the county · Mesotrophic · 120 acres
Limited DataMesotrophic

Pataganset Lake in New London County, Connecticut has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Phosphorus: 20 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 7.6 µg/L. Surface area: 120 acres.

Area
120 acres
Type
Mesotrophic

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Pataganset Lake is a 120-acre mesotrophic lake in New London County, Connecticut. Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2023. Compared to the 9 other monitored lakes in New London County, Pataganset Lake ranks #9 for water quality.

Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, your state environmental agency, last sampled 2023-07-27. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.

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Swimming Safety

Grade only

Limited data

Based on clarity and algae grades from past sampling — we do not hold live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.

Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality

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Water Quality Grade: C (Fair)

No clarity data. Phosphorus level: 20 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 7.6 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 49.

MetricValueGrade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)No recent samples
Phosphorus20 µg/LFair
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)7.6 µg/LNot graded
Trophic State Index (TSI)49Mesotrophic

Moderate nutrients, good water quality

Where to stay near Pataganset Lake

Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Pataganset Lake in New London County, Connecticut — 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.

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Lake Details

CharacteristicValue
Surface Area120 acres

No bathymetric survey has been published for Pataganset Lake, so its depth is not documented here.

Fishing Pataganset Lake

Reservoir Info (USACE NID)

Pataganset Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Pataguanset Lake Dam (completed 1942), built primarily for recreation on the Pataguanset River; earth-type dam, 12 ft tall and 210 ft long.

Surface area
120 ac
Normal storage
310 ac-ft
Max storage
950 ac-ft
Drainage area
3.91 sq mi
Hazard class
High
Owner
Connecticut DEEP

Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID CT00159 · Operator website · Matched by proximity (0.56 km)

County Ranking

Ranked #9 of 10 lakes in New London County

Nearby Lakes in New London County

Frequently asked questions about Pataganset Lake

Where is Pataganset Lake?

Pataganset Lake is a lake in New London County, Connecticut. LakeQuality grades it C for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.

What is the water quality grade for Pataganset Lake?

Pataganset Lake in New London County, Connecticut has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Phosphorus: 20 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 7.6 µg/L. Surface area: 120 acres.

Is Pataganset Lake safe to swim in?

Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality. Pataganset Lake has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Algae concentration (chlorophyll-a) is 7.6 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.

Where this data comes from

10 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2023. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-21.

Collected and reported by

  • Connecticut Department Of Energy And Environmental ProtectionCT_DEP01_WQX10 samples · 2023

Analytical methods

  • Total Phosphorus After Block Digestion
  • 445.0 ~ EPA; Chlorophyll and Pheophytin in Algae by Fluorescence
  • Nitrate-Nitrite Nitrogen by Colorimetry
  • Turbidity by Nephelometry
Monitoring station identifiers (1)

Grade thresholds from the EPA National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See how grades are calculated and data sources.