Puterbaugh Lake
Puterbaugh Lake in Cass County, Michigan is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Water clarity: 8 ft visibility. Surface area: 43.6 acres.
- Clarity
- 8 ft
- Area
- 44 acres
- Trend
- → Stable
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Why Puterbaugh Lake has no grade
We grade a lake only when the monitoring record supports a letter: at least three phosphorus or chlorophyll-a samples in the last ten years, scored against EPA National Lakes Assessment thresholds for this lake’s ecoregion. For Puterbaugh Lake, the only measurement available is water clarity, which is not a water-quality indicator on its own — EPA's National Lakes Assessment does not grade clarity. Sampling here has recorded water clarity, but not phosphorus and algae (chlorophyll-a).
Not Rated is not an F. It is EPA Integrated Reporting Category 3 — insufficient information. The water here may be excellent or poor; nobody has measured enough of it to say. Everything below that has been measured is still reported on this page.
Sampling is run by EGLE and volunteer programs, and published through the EPA Water Quality Portal. Read the full grading methodology.
Puterbaugh Lake is a 44-acre lake in Cass County, Michigan.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, EGLE, last sampled 2019-09-10. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
Watch Puterbaugh Lake water quality
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Swimming Safety
Not ratedLimited data
Not rated for swimming — there is not enough monitoring data to judge this lake
Water quality measurements for Puterbaugh Lake
These readings exist but are not enough for an A–F grade — see why.
Moderate clarity, visible to about 8 ft. Trophic State Index: 47.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 8 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | No recent samples | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No recent samples | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 47 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Puterbaugh Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Puterbaugh Lake in Cass 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 Puterbaugh Lake
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Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 44 acres |
No bathymetric survey has been published for Puterbaugh Lake, so its depth is not documented here.
Fishing Puterbaugh Lake
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 4 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | → Stable | -0.084 m/yr | 4 |
Graded lakes near Puterbaugh Lake
Puterbaugh Lake has no grade, but these lakes within a short drive do.
Nearby Lakes in Cass County
Frequently asked questions about Puterbaugh Lake
Where is Puterbaugh Lake?
- Puterbaugh Lake is a lake in Cass County, Michigan. LakeQuality has not rated this lake (UNRATED) — the only measurement available is water clarity, which is not a water-quality indicator on its own — EPA's National Lakes Assessment does not grade clarity.
What is the water quality grade for Puterbaugh Lake?
- Puterbaugh Lake in Cass County, Michigan is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Water clarity: 8 ft visibility. Surface area: 43.6 acres.
Is Puterbaugh Lake safe to swim in?
- Not rated for swimming — there is not enough monitoring data to judge this lake. Puterbaugh Lake is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
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Where this data comes from
58 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2016–2019. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-26.
Collected and reported by
- North American Lake Management Society
NALMS58 samples · 2016–2019
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.