What is the water quality grade for Sugarloaf Lake?

Sugarloaf Lake in Washtenaw County, Michigan received a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 9.5 ft visibility. Surface area: 280 acres.

Is Sugarloaf Lake safe to swim in?

Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality. Sugarloaf Lake has an overall water quality grade of C. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.

What fish are in Sugarloaf Lake?

Fish species found in Sugarloaf Lake include Northern pike, Spotted gar. Sugarloaf Lake is located in Washtenaw County, Michigan.

Washtenaw County, Michigan

Sugarloaf Lake

Grade CFair · 9.5 ft clarity

Find places to stay →

Limited DataMesotrophic

Sugarloaf Lake is a 280-acre mesotrophic lake in Washtenaw County, Michigan. Water quality is graded C based on 1 sampling years through 2022. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 2 documented fish species including Northern pike and Spotted gar. Public access is available with 3 public boat landings. Compared to the 16 other monitored lakes in Washtenaw County, Sugarloaf Lake ranks #12 for water quality.

Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2022-09-12. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.

Watch Sugarloaf Lake water quality

Subscribe for LakeQuality updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Swimming Safety

Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality

Compare the safest swimming lakes near Detroit →

Water Quality Grade: C, Fair

Moderate clarity, visible to about 9.5 ft. Trophic State Index: 45.

Metric	Value	Grade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)	9.5 ft	C
Phosphorus	No data
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)	No data
Trophic State Index (TSI)	45	Mesotrophic

Moderate nutrients, good water quality

Lake Details

Characteristic	Value
Surface Area	280 acres
Public Access	Yes

Where to stay near Sugarloaf Lake

Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Sugarloaf Lake in Washtenaw 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 Sugarloaf Lake

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 Sugarloaf Lake?

Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Sugarloaf Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Michigan’s top lakes →

Fish Species

Northern pike Spotted gar

Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.

Fishing Sugarloaf Lake

Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving

Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).

Metric	Trend	Change/Year	Years
Water Clarity	↑ Improving	+3.98 m/yr	2

Recreation & Access

Boat Landings

Yes

Public Access

Location

Loading map…

County Ranking

Ranked #12 of 17 lakes in Washtenaw County

Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles

Sugarloaf Lake holds Grade C. 4 nearby lakes hold higher grades.

Nearby Lakes in Washtenaw County

Sugarloaf Lake; Lyndon Twp

Washtenaw County

Long Lake Southeast Basin; Lyndon Township

Washtenaw County

North Lake North Central Basin; Dexter Township

Explore Sugarloaf Lake across LakeGrade

Michigan Fishing Guide

Fish species and top-graded lakes across Michigan

Washtenaw County Fishing

Fish species and best lakes in Washtenaw County

Lake Fishing Forecast

Species activity outlook by water temperature and season

Michigan Lake Trips

Where to stay at Michigan's top lakes, each with its grade

Mesotrophic Lakes

Moderate nutrients, good water quality

The State of Michigan's Lakes

Michigan's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked

More Michigan Lake Rankings

Cleanest lakes in Michigan

Top 25 by overall water quality score

Clearest lakes in Michigan

Top 25 by Secchi water clarity

Best swimming lakes in Michigan

Grade A/B + low algae filter

Family fishing lakes in Michigan

Panfish-rich, public access

All Michigan lakes

Full state directory

Other Grade C Lakes in Michigan

Triangle Lake

Livingston County · Clarity: 9.5 ft

Tamarack Lake North Basin; Hamburg Township

Livingston County · Clarity: 7 ft

Tamarack Lake

Livingston County · Clarity: 8 ft

Bass Lake

Livingston County · Clarity: 9.5 ft

Oneida Lake

Livingston County · Clarity: 8 ft

Earl Lake Central Basin

Livingston County · Clarity: 5.5 ft

Mesotrophic Lakes in Michigan

Clear Lake East Basin; Waterloo Township Clear Lake Portage Lake Base Line Lake Northeast Basin; Hamburg Township

More records, surveys & data sources

Reservoir Info (USACE NID)

Sugarloaf Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Winnewana Dam (completed 1956), built primarily for recreation on the Tributary to Portage River; earth-type dam, 12 ft tall and 270 ft long.

Surface area: 280 ac
Normal storage: 1,000 ac-ft
Max storage: 1,560 ac-ft
Drainage area: 1.8 sq mi
Hazard class: Significant
Owner: MDNR Parks & Recreation

Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID MI00327 · Operator website · Matched by proximity (0.82 km)

Lake Size & Watershed

Watershed (drainage) area

4 sq mi

Mean depth (est.)

14.1 ft

Shoreline

2.2 mi

Elevation

938 ft

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

Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory

Most recent sample: 2022-09-12

Monitoring stations: 1

Where to stay near Sugarloaf Lake →