
Golden Valley County Lake Quality
North Dakota, 3 lakes, average grade D (Nutrient-rich)
Golden Valley County holds 3 monitored lakes. With a sample that small the county-level summary describes those specific waters, not necessarily every water body in the county. 1 of those lake carry an A–F grade. The county-level summary describes that subset, not every water body listed. The county-wide average grade is D — water quality issues are persistent across most of the monitored basins. 0 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 Odland Dam Lake (D); the most-stressed is Odland Dam Lake (D).
Where to stay near Golden Valley County
Top-rated places to stay near Golden Valley County
Prices for Sep 11–13, 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 Golden Valley County?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Golden Valley County — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Quick Answers for Golden Valley County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Odland Dam Lake — or check the official North Dakota fishing regulations.
All Lakes in Golden Valley County
3 lakes · 1 graded, 2 not rated1 graded lake · 2 not rated, hidden
| # | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus | Algae | Trophic | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DOdland Dam LakeGolden Valley | D | 1.5 ft | 135.5 µg/L | 29.6 µg/L | No recent samples | ✓ Public |
| NRCamels Hump LakeGolden Valley | NR | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | ✓ Public | |
| NRBosserman LakeGolden Valley | 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 Dakota
See how Golden Valley 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, Québec, Nova Scotia, British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador), and 38 other country hubs..
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.