South Bar Lake; Center of Deepest Basin; Empire Township is a mesotrophic lake in Leelanau County, Michigan. Water quality is graded B based on 2 sampling years through 2023. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. 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, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2023-09-10. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch South Bar Lake; Center of Deepest Basin; Empire Township water quality
Subscribe for LakeQuality updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
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
Where to stay near South Bar Lake; Center of Deepest Basin; Empire Township
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near South Bar Lake; Center of Deepest Basin; Empire Township in Leelanau 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 South Bar Lake; Center of Deepest Basin; Empire Township
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a trip to South Bar Lake; Center of Deepest Basin; Empire Township?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near South Bar Lake; Center of Deepest Basin; Empire Township — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Michigan’s top lakes →
Fishing South Bar Lake; Center of Deepest Basin; Empire Township
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +2.525 m/yr | 3 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -1.9 µg/L/yr | 2 |
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. 2 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- ANorth Bar LakeLeelanau County · 1.9 mi · Higher grade (B → A)
- AOtter LakeBenzie County · 5.2 mi · Higher grade (B → A)
Nearby Lakes in Leelanau County
Explore South Bar Lake; Center of Deepest Basin; Empire Township across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Michigan
Fish species and best lakes in Leelanau County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Top lakes and where to stay in the Grand Traverse Region area
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 B Lakes in Michigan
Mesotrophic Lakes in Michigan
More records, surveys & data sources
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2023-09-10
Monitoring stations: 1