Graham County Lake Quality
North Carolina, 4 lakes, average grade A (Excellent)
Graham County has 4 graded lakes — a thin enough sample that one or two stressed lakes can move the county average noticeably. Use the per-lake pages below for what actually matters. On average, Graham County lakes grade an A. That puts it near the top of the {{stateName}} county ranking.
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 Calderwood Lake (A); the most-stressed is Lake Cheoah (A).
Quick Answers for Graham County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Calderwood Lake — or check the official North Carolina fishing regulations.
All Lakes in Graham County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Calderwood Lake | A | 16.4 ft | - |
| 2 | Lake Cheoah | A | 14.6 ft | - |
| 3 | Fontana Lake | A | 14.1 ft | - |
| 4 | Santeetlah Lake | A | 14.3 ft | - |
Other Counties in North Carolina
See how Graham 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 Graham County
Top-rated places to stay near Graham 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 Graham County?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Graham County — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.