Sand Lake Central Basin; Cambridge Township is a mesotrophic lake in Lenawee County, Michigan. Water quality is graded A based on 2 sampling years through 2023. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 6 documented fish species including Brook silverside, Johnny darter, and Mimic shiner. Public access is available with 2 public boat landings. Compared to the 7 other monitored lakes in Lenawee County, Sand Lake Central Basin; Cambridge Township ranks #1 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2023-09-22. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Sand Lake Central Basin; Cambridge Township water quality
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Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
Good clarity, visible to about 13.5 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 2.9 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 40.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 13.5 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 2.9 µg/L | A |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 40 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Sand Lake Central Basin; Cambridge Township
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Sand Lake Central Basin; Cambridge Township
- → Sand Lake Central Basin; Cambridge Township fishing forecast & best times (species outlook + 14-day solunar calendar)
- → Sand Lake Central Basin; Cambridge Township fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
- → Is it safe to eat fish from Sand Lake Central Basin; Cambridge 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 | +2.705 m/yr | 3 |
| Chlorophyll-a | → Stable | -0.05 µg/L/yr | 3 |
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Sand Lake Central Basin; Cambridge Township averages about 63°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Aug (about 65°F) and coldest in May (about 58°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 443 field readings (2019–2022) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Sand Lake Central Basin; Cambridge Township water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 8 lakes in Lenawee County
Nearby Lakes in Lenawee County
Explore Sand Lake Central Basin; Cambridge Township across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Michigan
Fish species and best lakes in Lenawee County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Where to stay at Michigan's top lakes, each with its grade
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Michigan's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More Michigan Lake Rankings
Other Grade A Lakes in Michigan
Jackson County · Clarity: 10 ft
Jackson County · Clarity: 11.8 ft
Washtenaw County · Clarity: 12 ft
Washtenaw County · Clarity: 11.5 ft
Livingston County · Excellent
Livingston County · Clarity: 10 ft
Mesotrophic Lakes in Michigan
More records, surveys & data sources
EPA Impairment Status
Sand Lake Central Basin; Cambridge Township is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 4A).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MI041000020106-02 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (0.38 km)
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
1 EPA-permitted facility operate within about 5 miles of Sand Lake Central Basin; Cambridge Township under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 1 facility has a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Onsted WwtpOnsted · 3.6 mi away · NPDES MI0028304Recent violation
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
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Most recent sample: 2023-09-22
Monitoring stations: 1