South Pond
Chippewa County, Michigan14 acresView mapDirections
Nutrients and algae run above the regional average.
↑ up from D at the last regrade
- Eutrophic
- #5 of 6 in the county
South Pond in Chippewa County, Michigan has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Water clarity: 1.4 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 38 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 25.4 µg/L. Surface area: 13.9 acres.
- Clarity
- 1.4 ft
- Typical in September
- 63°F
- Area
- 14 acres
- Type
- Eutrophic
- Trend
- → Stable
Stays via Stay22
Stays near South Pond
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near South Pond in Chippewa 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. The water-quality grade measures nutrients and algae, not lodging — cabins and rentals around South Pond are listed below.
Top-rated places to stay near South Pond
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Watch South Pond’s letter
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South Pond is a 14-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Chippewa County, Michigan. Water quality is graded D based on 2 sampling years through 2023. Water clarity is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 6 documented fish species including Golden redhorse, Golden shiner, and Green sunfish. Compared to the 5 other monitored lakes in Chippewa County, South Pond ranks #5 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, EGLE, last sampled 2023-05-09. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
What South Pond is good for
From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.
- Fishing6 species recorded
Swimming Safety
Grade onlyAlgae risk
Based on clarity and algae grades from past sampling — we do not hold live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
The D is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.
Water Quality Grade: D (Nutrient-rich)
Very murky, less than 1.4 ft of visibility. Phosphorus 38 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 25.4 µg/L. TSI 64. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 1.4 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 38 µg/L | Fair |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 25.4 µg/L | Poor |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 64 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Water Temperature
South Pond typically sits around 63°F at the surface in September. Summer average is about 68°F. Usually warmest in Jul (about 70°F) and coldest in Feb (about 35°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 170 field readings (2010–2023) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full South Pond water temperature breakdown →
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 14 acres |
No bathymetric survey has been published for South Pond, so its depth is not documented here.
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing South Pond
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 9 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.092 m/yr | 8 |
| Phosphorus | → Stable | -0.3 µg/L/yr | 9 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↓ Declining | +4.5 µg/L/yr | 7 |
County Ranking
Ranked #5 of 6 lakes in Chippewa County
Nearby Lakes in Chippewa County
Frequently asked questions about South Pond
Where is South Pond?
- South Pond is a lake in Chippewa County, Michigan. LakeQuality grades it D for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for South Pond?
- South Pond in Chippewa County, Michigan has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Water clarity: 1.4 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 38 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 25.4 µg/L. Surface area: 13.9 acres.
Is South Pond safe to swim in?
- The D is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.
What is the water temperature of South Pond?
- South Pond typically sits around 63°F at the surface in September, from 170 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2010–2023). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
What fish are in South Pond?
- Fish species found in South Pond include Golden redhorse, Golden shiner, Green sunfish, Lake herring, Pumpkinseed, Spotted gar. South Pond is located in Chippewa County, Michigan.
Explore South Pond across LakeQuality
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Where this data comes from
142 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2016–2023. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-26.
Collected and reported by
- Bay Mills Indian Community, Michigan (Tribal)
BMIC_WQX142 samples · 2016–2023
Analytical methods
- 4500 P E ~ Phosphorus in Water by Colorimetry- Ascorbic Acid Method
- 10200 H ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination
- Turbidity by Nephelometry
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
Grade thresholds from the EPA National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See how grades are calculated and data sources.