Bourbon County Lake Quality
Kansas, 4 lakes, average grade B (Good)
Only 4 lakes in Bourbon 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. The county-wide average lands at B — solid water quality with most lakes carrying clear summer transparency and low-to-moderate phosphorus.
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. Cedar Creek Reservoir (B) is the cleanest in the county.
Quick Answers for Bourbon County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Cedar Creek Reservoir — or check the official Kansas fishing regulations.
All Lakes in Bourbon County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cedar Creek Reservoir | B | 8.2 ft | - |
| 2 | Xenia Lake | B | 5.9 ft | - |
| 3 | Fort Scott City Lake | C | 4.3 ft | - |
| 4 | Bourbon Co State Fishing Lake | C | 2.5 ft | 35 µg/L |
Other Counties in Kansas
See how Bourbon County stacks up in the national county water-quality rankings, or browse the full directory of graded lakes across all 34 states.
Where to stay near Bourbon County
Top-rated places to stay near Bourbon 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 Bourbon County?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Bourbon County — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.