South Bar Lake; Center of Deepest Basin; Empire Township
Leelanau County, WisconsinMesotrophic
South Bar Lake; Center of Deepest Basin; Empire Township is a mesotrophic lake in Leelanau County, MI. Water quality is graded B based on 2 sampling years through 2023. Compared to the 20 other monitored lakes in Leelanau County, South Bar Lake; Center of Deepest Basin; Empire Township ranks #19 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, local state DNR records, last sampled 2023-09-10. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Moderate clarity, visible to about 8.5 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 5.5 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 47.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 8.5 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 5.5 µg/L | B |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 47 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #19 of 21 lakes in Leelanau County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
South Bar Lake; Center of Deepest Basin; Empire Township holds Grade B. 4 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- AGlen Lake North Cent Basin; Glen Arbor Township Section 35Leelanau County · 6.7 mi · Higher grade (B → A)
- ANorth Bar LakeLeelanau County · 1.9 mi · Higher grade (B → A)
- AGlen Lake Southeast Basin; Empire Township Section 4Leelanau County · 4.4 mi · Higher grade (B → A)
- AOtter LakeBenzie County · 5.2 mi · Higher grade (B → A)
Nearby Lakes in Leelanau County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
Other Grade B Lakes in Wisconsin
Lapeer County · Clarity: 9.5 ft
Livingston County · Clarity: 13 ft
Manistee County · Clarity: 11 ft
Lake County · Clarity: 14 ft
Cass County · Clarity: 10.5 ft
Genesee County · Clarity: 10 ft
Mesotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2023-09-10
Monitoring stations: 1