Is Spring Fork Lake Polluted?
Yes — Spring Fork Lake in Pettis County, Missouri is on the EPA's Clean Water Act 303(d) impaired-waters list (2022 assessment cycle). It is cited for Algal growth. A formal cleanup plan — a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) — has been written. "Impaired" is a legal designation, separate from the lake's A–F water-quality grade: it means at least one designated use (such as swimming, aquatic life, or fish consumption) does not meet state standards for the listed pollutant.
EPA 303(d) Listing
| On 303(d) impaired list | Listed impaired |
| Cleanup plan (TMDL) | Completed |
| Assessment cycle | 2022 |
| EPA IR category | 4A |
| Location | Pettis County, Missouri |
Pollutants Cited
- Algal growth — listed by EPA as exceeding water-quality standards for at least one designated use.
Specific parameters in the EPA record: CHLOROPHYLL-A.
What this means for using Spring Fork Lake
Review the EPA assessment and any state advisories before relying on Spring Fork Lake for swimming, fishing, or other uses. An impairment listing does not mean the lake is closed — most impaired lakes remain open for boating and swimming. It means a specific pollutant exceeds a standard for a specific use. Spring Fork Lake carries an overall water-quality grade of F, with algae (chlorophyll-a) at 48.6 µg/L and phosphorus at 160 µg/L — see the full breakdown on the lake report. The official EPA assessment is available in the ATTAINS waterbody report.