Woods Lake is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Kalamazoo County, Michigan. Water quality is graded D based on 1 sampling years through 2022. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. Compared to the 11 other monitored lakes in Kalamazoo County, Woods Lake ranks #12 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2022-08-16. 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
Murky, only visible to about 4 ft. Trophic State Index: 57.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 4 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 57 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Woods Lake
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Fishing Woods Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +3.26 m/yr | 2 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -2.75 µg/L/yr | 3 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #12 of 12 lakes in Kalamazoo County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Woods Lake holds Grade D. 3 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- BPaw Paw Lake East Central Basin; Texas TownshipKalamazoo County · 9.7 mi · Two grade letters higher (D → B)
- BIndian Lake Central Basin; Brady TownshipKalamazoo County · 10 mi · Two grade letters higher (D → B)
- CWoods Lake Northeast Central Basin; KalamazooKalamazoo County · 0.1 mi · Higher grade (D → C)
Nearby Lakes in Kalamazoo County
Explore Woods Lake across LakeGrade
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Fish species and best lakes in Kalamazoo County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Michigan's top lakes, each with its grade
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Michigan's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More Michigan Lake Rankings
Other Grade D Lakes in Michigan
St. Joseph County · Clarity: 4.5 ft
St. Joseph County · Clarity: 5 ft
Van Buren County · Clarity: 6.5 ft
St. Joseph County · Clarity: 6.5 ft
St. Joseph County · Clarity: 2 ft
Branch County · Clarity: 3.5 ft
Eutrophic 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
1 EPA-permitted facility operate within about 5 miles of Woods Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits.
- Clark Retail Enterprises IncKalamazoo · 1.4 mi away · NPDES MIG080603
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
Most recent sample: 2022-08-16
Monitoring stations: 1