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LakeQuality

Mesotrophic lakes are the productive middle of the trophic scale — TSI between 40 and 50. Clear enough to be inviting, productive enough to support a strong fishery, with moderate phosphorus and a modest algal community that does not dominate the optical signal. 15 lakes in Oregon sit in the mesotrophic band. About 0% are deep (50+ ft); the rest are shallower basins where watershed management keeps nutrients from pushing the system into eutrophy.

Mesotrophic lakes sit in the middle of the phosphorus and chlorophyll-a range: productive but still clear, with readings that rarely reach the EPA's poorest condition class.

#LakeCountyClarityDepthTSI
1Detroit LakeMarion--43
2Billy Chinook ReservoirJefferson4.4 ft-53
3Wickiup ReservoirDeschutes11.2 ft-45
4Lost Creek LakeJackson--40
5Willow LakeJackson--38
6Emigrant LakeJackson--42
7Foster LakeLinn--39
8East Lake Hot Springs Boat RampDeschutes--41
9Deschutes River Arm LakeJefferson4.6 ft-54
10Round Butte Dam Forebay LakeJefferson5.6 ft-52
11Crane Prairie ReservoirDeschutes8.4 ft-50
12Crane Prairie ReservoirDeschutes--53
13Siltcoos LakeLane--47
14Pine Hollow ReservoirWasco--45
15Lemolo LakeDouglas--49

Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.