Knox County Lake Quality
Tennessee, 2 lakes, average grade C (Fair)
Knox County has 2 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. The county average is C — the middle of the rubric, with one or two lakes pulling the average up or down depending on year.
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 Tennessee River Lake (C); the most-stressed is Tennessee River Lake (C).
Quick Answers for Knox County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Tennessee River Lake — or check the official Tennessee fishing regulations.
All Lakes in Knox County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tennessee River Lake | C | - | 32 µg/L |
| 2 | Meads Quarry Lake | C | - | 51.8 µg/L |
Other Counties in Tennessee
See how Knox County stacks up in the national county water-quality rankings, or browse the full directory of graded lakes across all 34 states.
Where to stay near Knox County
Top-rated places to stay near Knox County
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.