McCormick County Lake Quality
South Carolina, 1 lake, average grade C (Fair)
McCormick County has 1 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. McCormick 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.
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 Clarks Hill Lake (C); the most-stressed is Clarks Hill Lake (C).
Quick Answers for McCormick County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Clarks Hill Lake — or check the official South Carolina fishing regulations.
All Lakes in McCormick County
1 lake1 graded lake
| # | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus | Algae | Trophic | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CClarks Hill LakeMcCormick | C | 9.2 ft | No recent samples | 6.4 µg/L | No recent samples | Not recorded |
Lake Match
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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 South Carolina
See how McCormick County stacks up in the national county water-quality rankings, or browse the full directory of graded lakes across all 39 states and 2 Canadian provinces.
Where to stay near McCormick County
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.