Appanoose County Lake Quality
Iowa, 1 lakes, average grade D (Poor)
Appanoose County has 1 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, Appanoose County lakes grade D, with phosphorus loading and reduced clarity showing up across most of the dataset.
The county's lakes lean shallow, which makes the grades sensitive to wind, sediment-resuspension, and any nutrient inputs from the watershed. The cleanest lake on the books is Rathbun Lake (D); the most-stressed is Rathbun Lake (D).
Quick Answers for Appanoose County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Rathbun Lake — or check the official Iowa fishing regulations.
All Lakes in Appanoose County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rathbun Lake | D | 3 ft | - |
Other Counties in Iowa
See how Appanoose County stacks up in the national county water-quality rankings, or browse the full directory of graded lakes across all 15 states.
Where to stay near Appanoose County
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.