
Mecklenburg County Lake Quality
North Carolina, 2 lakes, average grade C (Fair)
Mecklenburg County has 2 monitored 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. 1 of those lake carry an A–F grade. The county-level summary describes that subset, not every water body listed. Mecklenburg 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. Catawba Riv Lake (C) is the cleanest in the county.
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Quick Answers for Mecklenburg County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Catawba Riv Lake — or check the official North Carolina fishing regulations.
All Lakes in Mecklenburg County
2 lakes · 1 graded, 1 not rated1 graded lake · 1 not rated, hidden
| # | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus | Algae | Trophic | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CCatawba Riv LakeMecklenburg | C | 6.6 ft | 20 µg/L | 2.3 µg/L | No recent samples | ✓ Public |
| NRSodyeco LagoonMecklenburg | NR | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | Not recorded |
NR = not rated: there is not enough recent sampling to support a letter. That is EPA Integrated Reporting Category 3 (insufficient information), not a failing grade. How grading works.
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Other Counties in North Carolina
See how Mecklenburg County stacks up in the national county water-quality rankings, or browse the full directory of graded lakes across all United States (49 states), Canada (Ontario and Québec), and 38 other country hubs..
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.