Burke County Lake Quality
North Carolina, 1 lakes, average grade B (Good)
Only 1 lakes in Burke 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 lands at B — solid water quality with most lakes carrying clear summer transparency and low-to-moderate phosphorus.
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 Lake James (B); the most-stressed is Lake James (B).
Quick Answers for Burke County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Lake James — or check the official North Carolina fishing regulations.
All Lakes in Burke County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake James | B | - | 40 µg/L |
Other Counties in North Carolina
See how Burke County stacks up in the national county water-quality rankings, or browse the full directory of graded lakes across all 12 states.
Where to stay near Burke County
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.