Wake County Lake Quality
North Carolina, 18 lakes, average grade F (Algae-prone)
Wake County's 18 monitored lakes fall in the moderate-density bracket for North Carolina. The county-level average smooths over real differences — a single agricultural watershed near the southwest corner can pull the average down even if the rest of the county runs clean. 14 of those lakes carry an A–F grade. The county-level summary describes that subset, not every water body listed. The county average is F — the most-stressed bracket in our rubric. Most monitored lakes here show persistent nutrient loading and algal pressure.
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 Johnson (D); the most-stressed is Harris Lake (F).
Where to stay near Wake County
Top-rated places to stay near Wake County
Prices for Sep 4–6, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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 Wake County?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Wake County — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Quick Answers for Wake County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Lake Johnson — or check the official North Carolina fishing regulations.
All Lakes in Wake County
18 lakes · 14 graded, 4 not rated14 graded lakes · 4 not rated, hidden
| # | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus | Algae | Trophic | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DLake JohnsonWake | D | 3 ft | 40 µg/L | 23 µg/L | No recent samples | Not recorded |
| 2 | DLake RaleighWake | D | 2.5 ft | 45 µg/L | 29.5 µg/L | No recent samples | Not recorded |
| 3 | FHarris LakeWake | F | 2.5 ft | 90 µg/L | 43 µg/L | No recent samples | ✓ Public |
| 4 | FFalls of the Neuse ReservoirWake | F | 2.2 ft | 40 µg/L | 36 µg/L | No recent samples | ✓ Public |
| 5 | FLake WheelerWake | F | 2.8 ft | 50 µg/L | 35 µg/L | No recent samples | Not recorded |
| 6 | FLake CrabtreeWake | F | 1.1 ft | 85 µg/L | 35 µg/L | No recent samples | Not recorded |
| 7 | FSycamore LakeWake | F | 2 ft | 50 µg/L | 32 µg/L | No recent samples | Not recorded |
| 8 | FApex ReservoirWake | F | 1.8 ft | 50 µg/L | 35.5 µg/L | No recent samples | Not recorded |
| 9 | FBig LakeWake | F | 2.3 ft | 50 µg/L | 37 µg/L | No recent samples | Not recorded |
| 10 | FBass LakeWake | F | 2.5 ft | 50 µg/L | 31 µg/L | No recent samples | Not recorded |
| 11 | FBeaverdam LakeWake | F | 2.5 ft | 45 µg/L | 33 µg/L | No recent samples | ✓ Public |
| 12 | FLake BensonWake | F | 2.3 ft | 50 µg/L | 38 µg/L | No recent samples | Not recorded |
| 13 | FReedy Creek LakeWake | F | 2 ft | 65 µg/L | 32.5 µg/L | No recent samples | Not recorded |
| 14 | FSunset LakeWake | F | 1.8 ft | 95 µg/L | 72 µg/L | No recent samples | Not recorded |
| NRWake Forest Reservoir @ DamWake | NR | No recent samples | 50 µg/L | 41 µg/L | No recent samples | Not recorded | |
| NRFalls Lake Bayleaf ChurchWake | NR | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | ✓ Public | |
| NRShearon Harris ReservoirWake | NR | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | ✓ Public | |
| NRBrier Creek ReservoirWake | 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.
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 North Carolina
See how Wake 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.