Sites Lake is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Richland County, Ohio. Water quality is graded D based on 1 sampling years through 2021. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. Compared to the 1 other monitored lakes in Richland County, Sites Lake ranks #1 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Ohio DNR, last sampled 2021-10-22. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Sites Lake water quality
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Swimming Safety
Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk
Water Quality Grade: D, Poor
Murky, only visible to about 5.2 ft. Trophic State Index: 53.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 5.2 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 53 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Sites Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Sites Lake in Richland County, Ohio — 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 Sites Lake
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Fishing Sites Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +7.62 m/yr | 2 |
Water Temperature
Sites Lake averages about 79°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 81°F) and coldest in Oct (about 66°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 33 field readings (2016–2021) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Sites Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 2 lakes in Richland County
Nearby Lakes in Richland County
Explore Sites Lake across LakeGrade
More Ohio Lake Rankings
Other Grade D Lakes in Ohio
Eutrophic Lakes in Ohio
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
8 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Sites Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 5 facilities have a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Charles Mill Sites Lake Cottage Area WwtpMansfield · 0.5 mi away · NPDES OH0137880Recent violation
- Ohio Hilltop, IncMansfield · 0.9 mi away · NPDES OH0111562Recent violation
- Rdb Motels Inc Dba Heritage InnMansfield · 0.9 mi away · NPDES OH0126543Recent violation
- Hillside Estates MhpMansfield · 2.7 mi away · NPDES OH0122505Recent violation
- Eastview WwtpMansfield · 3.4 mi away · NPDES OH0039217Recent violation
- Oak Park TavernMansfield, City Of · 1.3 mi away · NPDES OH0137910
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: 2021-10-22
Monitoring stations: 1