Smith County Lake Quality
Texas, 5 lakes, average grade C (Fair)
Only 5 lakes in Smith 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. Smith 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.
Most of the county's monitored lakes are shallow — under 50 feet — which means wind keeps the water column mixed all summer and sediment-bound phosphorus releases back into the surface layer whenever the bottom is disturbed. Lake Tyler E (C) is the cleanest in the county.
Quick Answers for Smith County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Lake Tyler E — or check the official Texas fishing regulations.
All Lakes in Smith County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake Tyler E | C | 3.3 ft | 25 µg/L |
| 2 | Lake Tyler | C | 3.4 ft | 30 µg/L |
| 3 | Lake Palestine | D | 2 ft | 48 µg/L |
| 4 | Upper Lake Palestine | D | 1.6 ft | 80 µg/L |
Other Counties in Texas
See how Smith County stacks up in the national county water-quality rankings, or browse the full directory of graded lakes across all 17 states.
Where to stay near Smith County
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.