Tampier Lake is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Cook County, Illinois. Water quality is graded D based on 2 sampling years through 2021. Compared to the 67 other monitored lakes in Cook County, Tampier Lake ranks #41 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Illinois DNR, last sampled 2021-09-28. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk
Water Quality Grade: D, Poor
Very murky, less than 1.7 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 38.5 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 63.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 1.7 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | 38.5 µg/L | C |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 63 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Tampier Lake
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Fishing Tampier Lake
Water Temperature
Tampier Lake averages about 79°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Aug (about 81°F) and coldest in Oct (about 57°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 59 field readings (2010–2021) via the EPA Water Quality Portal.
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #41 of 68 lakes in Cook County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Tampier Lake holds Grade D. 2 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- CSag Quarry East LakeCook County · 3.4 mi · Higher grade (D → C)
- CSag Quarry West LakeCook County · 3.4 mi · Higher grade (D → C)
Nearby Lakes in Cook County
Explore Tampier Lake across LakeGrade
More Illinois Lake Rankings
Other Grade D Lakes in Illinois
Eutrophic Lakes in Illinois
More records, surveys & data sources
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Tampier Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Tampier Lake Dam (completed 1964), built primarily for recreation on the TRIB LONG RUN CREEK; gravity-type dam, 9 ft tall and 240 ft long.
- Normal storage
- 668 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 859 ac-ft
- Hazard class
- Significant
- Owner
- FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT OF COOK COUNTY
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID IL00866 · Operator website
EPA Impairment Status
Tampier Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit IL_RGZO · Official waterbody report
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
3 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Tampier Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits, including 2 classified by the EPA as major dischargers. 3 facilities have a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Il American Wtr Company-Chickasaw Hills WrfLockport · 0.9 mi away · NPDES IL0031984MajorRecent violation
- Il American Wtr Company-Oak Valley WrfLockport · 4.3 mi away · NPDES IL0055981MajorRecent violation
- Illinois - American Water Company- Derby Meadows WrfLockport · 1 mi away · NPDES IL0045993Recent violation
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
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2021-09-28
Monitoring stations: 3