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Tippy Pond by Dam

Manistee County, WisconsinLimited DataOligotrophic

Tippy Pond by Dam is a 1,330-acre cold, clear oligotrophic lake in Manistee County, MI. Water quality is graded A based on 1 sampling years through 2025. Compared to the 11 other monitored lakes in Manistee County, Tippy Pond by Dam ranks #2 for water quality.

Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, local state DNR records, last sampled 2025-10-07. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.

Swimming Safety

Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae

Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent

No clarity data. Phosphorus level: 10.2 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 38.

MetricValueGrade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)No data
Phosphorus10.2 µg/LA
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)No data
Trophic State Index (TSI)38Oligotrophic

Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming

Lake Details

CharacteristicValue
Surface Area1.3K acres

Location

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County Ranking

Ranked #2 of 12 lakes in Manistee County

Nearby Lakes in Manistee County

A
Manistee North Lake
Manistee County
A
Tippy Pond Pine Arm
Manistee County
A
Tippy Pond Manistee Arm
Manistee County
A
Manistee Lake South
Manistee County
A
Bear Lake Central Basin North; Pleasanton Township
Manistee County
B
Bear Lake East Basin; Pleasanton Township
Manistee County

More Wisconsin Lake Rankings

Cleanest lakes in Wisconsin

Top 25 by overall water quality score

Best swimming lakes in Wisconsin

Grade A/B + low algae filter

Family fishing lakes in Wisconsin

Panfish-rich, public access

All Wisconsin lakes

Full state directory

Other Grade A Lakes in Wisconsin

Chippewa Lake Northeast Basin; Chippewa Township

Mecosta County · Clarity: 12.8 ft

Lake Ann Southeast Basin; Almira Township Section 26

Benzie County · Clarity: 13.5 ft

Windover Lake South Basin; Freeman Township

Clare County · Clarity: 15 ft

Squaw Lake

Kalkaska County · Clarity: 16 ft

Moon Lake Central Basin; Watersmeet Township

Gogebic County · Clarity: 18 ft

Camp Lake

Iron County · Clarity: 16 ft

Oligotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin

Lake Ann Southeast Basin; Almira Township Section 26Windover Lake South Basin; Freeman TownshipSquaw LakeMoon Lake Central Basin; Watersmeet Township

Reservoir Info (USACE NID)

Tippy Pond by Dam is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Tippy (completed 1918), built primarily for hydroelectric on the Manistee River; gravity-type dam, 82 ft tall and 830 ft long.

Surface area
1,330 ac
Normal storage
27,620 ac-ft
Drainage area
1,451 sq mi
Hazard class
High
Owner
Consumers Energy Company

All listed purposes: Hydroelectric;Recreation.

Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID MI00200 · Operator website · Matched by proximity (0.18 km)

Data Sources

Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal

Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards

Most recent sample: 2025-10-07

Monitoring stations: 1