Cole County Lake Quality
Missouri, 2 lakes, average grade D (Poor)
Only 2 lakes in Cole 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, Cole County lakes grade D, with phosphorus loading and reduced clarity showing up across most of the dataset.
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 Binder Lake (D); the most-stressed is Mckay Park Lake (F).
Quick Answers for Cole County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Binder Lake — or check the official Missouri fishing regulations.
All Lakes in Cole County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Binder Lake | D | 2.1 ft | 54.5 µg/L |
| 2 | Mckay Park Lake | F | 1 ft | 70 µg/L |
Other Counties in Missouri
See how Cole 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 Cole County
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.