Mesa County Lake Quality
Colorado, 3 lakes, average grade D (Poor)
Mesa County has 3 graded lakes — a thin enough sample that one or two stressed lakes can move the county average noticeably. Use the per-lake pages below for what actually matters. On average, Mesa County lakes grade D, with phosphorus loading and reduced clarity showing up across most of the dataset.
Most of the county's monitored lakes are shallow — under 50 feet — which means wind keeps the water column mixed all summer and sediment-bound phosphorus releases back into the surface layer whenever the bottom is disturbed. Vega Reservoir (D) is the cleanest in the county.
Quick Answers for Mesa County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Vega Reservoir — or check the official Colorado fishing regulations.
All Lakes in Mesa County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vega Reservoir | D | 3.9 ft | - |
| 2 | Big Creek Reservoir | D | 3.4 ft | - |
| 3 | Highline Lake | F | 3 ft | - |
Other Counties in Colorado
See how Mesa County stacks up in the national county water-quality rankings, or browse the full directory of graded lakes across all 12 states.
Where to stay near Mesa County
Top-rated places to stay near Mesa County
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a trip to Mesa County?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Mesa County — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.