Ripley County Lake Quality
Missouri, 2 lakes, average grade A (Excellent)
Only 2 lakes in Ripley 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's average grade is A — among the cleanest in Missouri. 1 lakes pull an A on their own, and almost none fall into the D or F brackets.
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. Fourche Creek Lake (A) is the cleanest in the county.
Quick Answers for Ripley County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Fourche Creek Lake — or check the official Missouri fishing regulations.
All Lakes in Ripley County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fourche Creek Lake | A | 13.6 ft | 9 µg/L |
| 2 | Ripley County Lake | B | 6.6 ft | 11 µg/L |
Other Counties in Missouri
See how Ripley 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 Ripley County
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.