Amherst County Lake Quality
Virginia, 7 lakes, average grade C (Fair)
Only 7 lakes in Amherst 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. Amherst 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. Pedlar River Reservoir (A) is the cleanest in the county.
Quick Answers for Amherst County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Pedlar River Reservoir — or check the official Virginia fishing regulations.
All Lakes in Amherst County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pedlar River Reservoir | A | 7.5 ft | 10 µg/L |
| 2 | Mill Cr Reservoir | B | 3.6 ft | 20 µg/L |
| 3 | Northeast Arm of Mill Creek Lake | B | 4.1 ft | 20 µg/L |
| 4 | Mill Creek Reservoir | B | 3.6 ft | 20 µg/L |
| 5 | North Arm of Mill Creek Lake | B | 3.6 ft | 20 µg/L |
Other Counties in Virginia
See how Amherst 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 Amherst County
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.