Stanley Lake Central Basin; Stambaugh Township is a mesotrophic lake in Iron County, Michigan. Water quality is graded C based on 1 sampling years through 2023. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 38 other monitored lakes in Iron County, Stanley Lake Central Basin; Stambaugh Township ranks #31 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2023-09-24. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Stanley Lake Central Basin; Stambaugh Township water quality
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Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Moderate clarity, visible to about 8.5 ft. Trophic State Index: 46.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 8.5 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 46 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Stanley Lake Central Basin; Stambaugh Township
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Stanley Lake Central Basin; Stambaugh Township in Iron 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 Stanley Lake Central Basin; Stambaugh Township
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Fishing Stanley Lake Central Basin; Stambaugh Township
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.54 m/yr | 3 |
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Stanley Lake Central Basin; Stambaugh Township averages about 73°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 73°F) and coldest in Sep (about 68°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 63 field readings (2016–2016) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Stanley Lake Central Basin; Stambaugh Township water temperature breakdown →
Location & Depth Map
Free interactive depth-contour map of Stanley Lake Central Basin; Stambaugh Township, reaching a maximum surveyed depth of 39 ft. Toggle Depth contours to overlay the bathymetric survey lines. Contour data from Michigan DNR.
County Ranking
Ranked #31 of 39 lakes in Iron County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Stanley Lake Central Basin; Stambaugh Township holds Grade C. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
Nearby Lakes in Iron County
Explore Stanley Lake Central Basin; Stambaugh Township across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Michigan
Fish species and best lakes in Iron 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
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More Michigan Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in Michigan
Gogebic County · Clarity: 9.5 ft
Gogebic County · Clarity: 7.9 ft
Gogebic County · Clarity: 9.3 ft
Gogebic County · Clarity: 7.3 ft
Gogebic County · Clarity: 7 ft
Gogebic County · Clarity: 9.5 ft
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.
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
2 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Stanley Lake Central Basin; Stambaugh Township under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits, including 1 classified by the EPA as major discharger. 1 facility has a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- West Iron Co Sa WwtpCaspian · 3.8 mi away · NPDES MI0043281MajorRecent violation
- Polyone Corp-Dober Mine CpxCaspian · 3.6 mi away · NPDES MI0045063
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
Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Most recent sample: 2023-09-24
Monitoring stations: 1