Rankin County Lake Quality
Mississippi, 3 lakes, average grade D (Nutrient-rich)
Only 3 lakes in Rankin 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. 1 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 Pelahatchie Lake (C); the most-stressed is Ross Barnett Reservoir (F).
Where to stay near Rankin County
Top-rated places to stay near Rankin 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 Rankin County?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Rankin County — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Quick Answers for Rankin County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Pelahatchie Lake — or check the official Mississippi fishing regulations.
All Lakes in Rankin County
3 lakes3 graded lakes
| # | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus | Algae | Trophic | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CPelahatchie LakeRankin | C | 2.5 ft | 40 µg/L | 26 µg/L | No recent samples | Not recorded |
| 2 | DCrystal LakeRankin | D | 1.4 ft | 70 µg/L | 29.1 µg/L | No recent samples | Not recorded |
| 3 | FRoss Barnett ReservoirRankin | F | 1.8 ft | 70 µg/L | 37 µg/L | No recent samples | Not recorded |
Lake Match
Which lake suits how you actually use one?
Six questions — swimming, fishing, quiet, cabins, drive time — and a shortlist of graded lakes that fit, with the water quality behind each one.
Other Counties in Mississippi
See how Rankin County stacks up in the national county water-quality rankings, or browse the full directory of graded lakes across all 49 states and 2 Canadian provinces.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.