Elk County Lake Quality
Kansas, 2 lakes, average grade C (Fair)
Elk County has 2 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. Elk County averages to a C. The distribution behind that average matters more than the letter: a few stressed lakes versus many decent ones can produce the same average as the inverse.
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 Polk Daniels State Fishing Lake (C); the most-stressed is Polk Daniels State Fishing Lake (C).
Quick Answers for Elk County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Polk Daniels State Fishing Lake — or check the official Kansas fishing regulations.
All Lakes in Elk County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Polk Daniels State Fishing Lake | C | 3.3 ft | 56 µg/L |
| 2 | Moline Reservoir | C | 1.7 ft | 39.5 µg/L |
Other Counties in Kansas
See how Elk 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 Elk County
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.