Ballard County Lake Quality
Kentucky, 8 lakes, average grade D (Poor)
Only 8 lakes in Ballard 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 grade is D — water quality issues are persistent across most of the monitored basins. 2 lakes fall into the F bracket outright.
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 Turner Lake (C); the most-stressed is Mitchell Lake (F).
Quick Answers for Ballard County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Turner Lake — or check the official Kentucky fishing regulations.
All Lakes in Ballard County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Turner Lake | C | - | 53 µg/L |
| 2 | Shelby Lake | D | - | 60.6 µg/L |
| 3 | Flat Lake | D | - | 84 µg/L |
| 4 | Fish Lake | D | - | 91 µg/L |
| 5 | Buck Lake | D | - | 77.7 µg/L |
| 6 | Long Pond | D | - | 62.4 µg/L |
| 7 | Mitchell Lake | F | - | 397 µg/L |
| 8 | Swan Pond | F | - | 145.5 µg/L |
Other Counties in Kentucky
See how Ballard 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 Ballard County
Top-rated places to stay near Ballard 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 Ballard County?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Ballard County — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.