Pleasant Lake Northwest Basin; Freedom Township is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Washtenaw County, Michigan. Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2023. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 6 documented fish species including Blackchin shiner, Bluegill, and Bluntnose minnow. Compared to the 16 other monitored lakes in Washtenaw County, Pleasant Lake Northwest Basin; Freedom Township ranks #11 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2023-09-21. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Pleasant Lake Northwest Basin; Freedom Township water quality
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Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Murky, only visible to about 5.8 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 6.9 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 51.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 5.8 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 6.9 µg/L | B |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 51 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Pleasant Lake Northwest Basin; Freedom Township
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Pleasant Lake Northwest Basin; Freedom Township
- → Pleasant Lake Northwest Basin; Freedom Township fishing forecast & best times (species outlook + 14-day solunar calendar)
- → Pleasant Lake Northwest Basin; Freedom Township fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
- → Is it safe to eat fish from Pleasant Lake Northwest Basin; Freedom Township? (mercury & PFAS guide)
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.67 m/yr | 3 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -0.75 µg/L/yr | 3 |
Water Temperature
Pleasant Lake Northwest Basin; Freedom Township averages about 67°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Aug (about 70°F) and coldest in May (about 61°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 287 field readings (2014–2023) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Pleasant Lake Northwest Basin; Freedom Township water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #11 of 17 lakes in Washtenaw County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Pleasant Lake Northwest Basin; Freedom Township holds Grade C. 2 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- AClear Lake East Basin; Waterloo TownshipJackson County · 12.7 mi · Two grade letters higher (C → A)
- BSugarloaf Lake; Lyndon TwpWashtenaw County · 12.3 mi · Higher grade (C → B)
Nearby Lakes in Washtenaw County
Explore Pleasant Lake Northwest Basin; Freedom Township across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Michigan
Fish species and best lakes in Washtenaw County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Michigan's top lakes, each with its grade
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Michigan's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More Michigan Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in Michigan
Livingston County · Clarity: 8 ft
Livingston County · Clarity: 7 ft
Livingston County · Clarity: 9.5 ft
Livingston County · Clarity: 8 ft
Livingston County · Clarity: 9 ft
Livingston County · Clarity: 9.5 ft
Eutrophic 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 Pleasant Lake Northwest Basin; Freedom Township under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 1 facility has a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Manchester WwtpManchester · 5 mi away · NPDES MI0023507Recent violation
- Ceco-Freedom Compressor StaManchester · 0.3 mi away · NPDES MI0002038
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: 2023-09-21
Monitoring stations: 1