Ransom Lake
Benzie County, WisconsinOligotrophic
Ransom Lake is a cold, clear oligotrophic lake in Benzie County, MI. Water quality is graded A based on 2 sampling years through 2023. Compared to the 34 other monitored lakes in Benzie County, Ransom Lake ranks #11 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, local state DNR records, last sampled 2023-09-19. 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. Chlorophyll-a: 2.5 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 39.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 15 ft | A |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 2.5 µg/L | A |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 39 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #11 of 35 lakes in Benzie County
Nearby Lakes in Benzie County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
Other Grade A Lakes in Wisconsin
Mecosta County · Clarity: 12.8 ft
Clare County · Clarity: 15 ft
Kalkaska County · Clarity: 16 ft
Gogebic County · Clarity: 18 ft
Iron County · Clarity: 16 ft
Leelanau County · Clarity: 15.5 ft
Oligotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
EPA Impairment Status
Ransom 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 MI040601040202-01 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (1.95 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: 2023-09-19
Monitoring stations: 1