West Fork Eno River Reservoir
Orange County, North CarolinaView mapDirections
Nutrients and algae run above the regional average.
- Eutrophic
- #5 of 7 in the county
West Fork Eno River Reservoir in Orange County, North Carolina has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Water clarity: 3.8 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 50 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 30 µg/L.
- Clarity
- 3.8 ft
- Type
- Eutrophic
- Trend
- → Stable
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Stays near West Fork Eno River Reservoir
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near West Fork Eno River Reservoir in Orange County, North Carolina — 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 West Fork Eno River Reservoir are listed below.
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West Fork Eno River Reservoir is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Orange County, North Carolina. Water quality is graded D based on 2 sampling years through 2025. Water clarity is improving over recent sampling years. Compared to the 6 other monitored lakes in Orange County, West Fork Eno River Reservoir ranks #5 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, NCDEQ, last sampled 2025-09-11. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
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)
Murky, only visible to about 3.8 ft. Phosphorus 50 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 30 µg/L. TSI 61. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 3.8 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 50 µg/L | Poor |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 30 µg/L | Poor |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 61 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Fishing West Fork Eno River Reservoir
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.03 m/yr | 5 |
| Phosphorus | → Stable | +0.41 µg/L/yr | 5 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↓ Declining | +2.99 µg/L/yr | 5 |
County Ranking
Ranked #5 of 7 lakes in Orange County
Nearby Lakes With Higher Grades
West Fork Eno River Reservoir holds Grade D. 2 nearby lakes hold higher nutrient-and-algae grades — useful for a swim day, not a reason to skip lodging here.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Orange County
Frequently asked questions about West Fork Eno River Reservoir
Where is West Fork Eno River Reservoir?
- West Fork Eno River Reservoir is a lake in Orange County, North Carolina. LakeQuality grades it D for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for West Fork Eno River Reservoir?
- West Fork Eno River Reservoir in Orange County, North Carolina has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Water clarity: 3.8 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 50 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 30 µg/L.
Is West Fork Eno River Reservoir safe to swim in?
- The D is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.
Explore West Fork Eno River Reservoir across LakeQuality
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at North Carolina's top lakes, each with its grade
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Where this data comes from
78 measurements from 3 monitoring stations, 2020–2025. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- North Carolina Dept of Environmental Quality NCDEQ-DWR WQX
21NC03WQ78 samples · 2020–2025
Analytical methods
- WSSSOP
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
- 445.0 ~ EPA; Chlorophyll and Pheophytin in Algae by Fluorescence
- 2130 B ~ Nephelometric Method
Monitoring station identifiers (3)
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.