Pope County Lake Quality
Illinois, 4 lakes, measured by Illinois EPA
Pope County has 4 monitored 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. 2 of those lakes carry recent nutrient and algae readings. The county-level summary describes that subset, not every water body listed. Phosphorus and algae readings vary widely across Pope County; the per-lake pages below carry the numbers.
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. One Horse Gap Lake has the lowest nutrient and algae readings in the county.
Where to stay near Pope County
Top-rated places to stay near Pope County
Prices for Oct 23–25, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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 Pope County?
Get lake water-quality updates plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Pope County — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Quick Answers for Pope County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for One Horse Gap Lake — or check the official Illinois fishing regulations.
All Lakes in Pope County
4 lakes · 2 ranked on readings, 2 without enough sampling2 lakes ranked on readings · 2 without enough sampling, hidden
| # | Lake | Clarity | Phosphorus | Algae | Trophic | Max Depth | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | One Horse Gap LakePope | 4 ft | 21 µg/L | 14.7 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | Not recorded |
| 2 | Glendale LakePope | 4.8 ft | 23 µg/L | 38 µg/L | No recent samples | No recent samples | Not recorded |
| Avery LakePope | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | Not recorded | |
| Sugar Creek LakePope | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | 5 ft | Not recorded |
NR = no nutrient or algae reading on record. The measurements are published as the authority reports them. Where the data comes from.
Lake Match
Which lake suits how you actually use one?
Six questions — swimming, fishing, quiet, cabins, drive time — and a shortlist of lakes that fit, with the water quality behind each one.
Other Counties in Illinois
Browse every Illinois lake, or the full directory of lakes across all United States (49 states), Canada (Ontario, Québec, Nova Scotia, British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador), and 38 other country hubs..
Source: the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. See data sources.