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Welcome to Base Line Lake

Base Line Lake sits on the Livingston-Washtenaw county line, about 3.5 miles southeast of Pinckney (USGS GNIS place data) and 27.3 miles from downtown Fenton, on the Huron River Chain of Lakes (HRCOLA lake data). In November 2026, my site had no Base Line homes for sale, so the button shows Pinckney-area waterfront homes, and I can set up a saved search just for Base Line.

Lake Overview

• Location: Webster Township, Washtenaw County. USGS lists it in Washtenaw; DNR data files it under Livingston (DNR lake list via MLSA).
• Size: about 244 acres (DNR), 251 (EGLE mapping), 254 (HRCOLA lake data) or 258 (the county's 2024 report).
• Depth: HRCOLA lists a 64-foot maximum; the county report lists 65 feet.
• Boating: HRCOLA says Base Line can handle wake boats (HRCOLA boating page). One bay is slow-no wake under a DNR rule (DNR Washtenaw County rules).
• Public access: there's no public launch on Base Line; the only public launch on the chain is the Michigan DNR site on Portage Lake off MacGregor Road (HRCOLA).
• Shoreline: Microsoft building map data shows about 191 buildings near the shore.

Living on Base Line Lake

Base Line is one of the deeper lakes on the chain, with channels to Portage, Whitewood and the rest (Wikipedia). HRCOLA has showcased native shorefront gardens on its south shore in Webster Township (Webster Township).

Webster Township & Schools

Pinckney-area waterfront listings on my site show Pinckney Community Schools, Dexter Community Schools or Brighton Area Schools, so I confirm the district for every address.

Tips for Buyers

• Understand riparian rights. Michigan waterfront ("riparian") owners generally have rights to dock and reach the water (EGLE inland lakes guide). "Lake privileges" or a shared lot is different, so read the deed and any easement.
• Know the local rules. I'll check Webster Township zoning, association rules, and any dock or shoreline rules for the specific parcel.
• Seawalls and permanent docks generally need an EGLE permit, while seasonal docks usually don't (EGLE dock handout). Ask for permit records.
• Confirm sewer or septic and well, and schedule inspections for any private system.
• Check the address on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center and get a flood insurance quote early.
• Washtenaw County runs a weed control special assessment district for Little Portage, Portage, Base Line, Tamarack and Whitewood (Washtenaw County 2024 lake report; HRCOLA). I'll confirm the parcel's amount in writing.
• The Flook Dam sets Portage and Base Line levels. Its repairs are billed through a lake level special assessment over 8 years, starting with the 2025 winter tax bill (county Flook Dam FAQ; Livingston County memo).
• Taxable value generally "uncaps" after a sale (MCL 211.27a), so don't budget off the seller's tax bill.
• Ask how the winter drawdown affects the dock; EGLE has been reviewing its timing (county Flook Dam FAQ).

Tips for Sellers

• Lead with big-water chain boating.
• Use both "Base Line" and "Baseline" in your listing.
• Have frontage, dock, seawall permit, assessment, and septic or sewer details ready.

FAQ

What township is Base Line Lake in?

Webster Township, Washtenaw County.

Can you wake surf on Base Line Lake?

HRCOLA says yes in wake mode, outside the no-wake bay.

Is there a public launch on Base Line Lake?

No. The chain's only public launch is on Portage Lake.

Let's Talk Lake Life

Want a big, deep lake on the chain? I'd love to help you watch for a home on Base Line Lake. Give me a call at (810) 962-4908.