Malheur County Lake Quality
Oregon, 4 lakes, average grade D (Poor)
Only 4 lakes in Malheur 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. On average, Malheur County lakes grade D, with phosphorus loading and reduced clarity showing up across most of the dataset.
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 Owyhee (C); the most-stressed is Bully Creek Lake (D).
Quick Answers for Malheur County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Lake Owyhee — or check the official Oregon fishing regulations.
All Lakes in Malheur County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake Owyhee | C | - | - |
| 2 | Bully Creek Lake | D | 4.9 ft | 110 µg/L |
Other Counties in Oregon
See how Malheur County stacks up in the national county water-quality rankings, or browse the full directory of graded lakes across all 27 states.
Where to stay near Malheur County
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.