Phelps County Lake Quality
Missouri, 3 lakes, average grade C (Fair)
Only 3 lakes in Phelps 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. Phelps 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.
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. Little Prairie Lake by Dam (C) is the cleanest in the county.
Quick Answers for Phelps County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Little Prairie Lake by Dam — or check the official Missouri fishing regulations.
All Lakes in Phelps County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Little Prairie Lake by Dam | C | 4.9 ft | 24.5 µg/L |
| 2 | Little Prairie Lake | C | 8.6 ft | 54 µg/L |
| 3 | Frisco Lake | D | 3.8 ft | 61 µg/L |
Other Counties in Missouri
See how Phelps 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 Phelps County
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.