Richland County Lake Quality
Illinois, 3 lakes, average grade D (Poor)
Only 3 lakes in Richland County carry an active grade. The county-level summary is therefore representative of those specific lakes, not necessarily of every water body in the county. On average, Richland 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. Olney East Fork Lake (C) is the cleanest in the county.
Quick Answers for Richland County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Olney East Fork Lake — or check the official Illinois fishing regulations.
All Lakes in Richland County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Olney East Fork Lake | C | 3.2 ft | 25.5 µg/L |
| 2 | Vernor Lake | D | 4.8 ft | 96.5 µg/L |
| 3 | Borah Lake | F | 2.2 ft | 131 µg/L |
Other Counties in Illinois
See how Richland 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 Richland County
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.