Fairfax County Lake Quality
Virginia, 2 lakes, average grade C (Fair)
Fairfax 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. Fairfax 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 Burke Lake (C); the most-stressed is Nla Lake (D).
Quick Answers for Fairfax County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Burke Lake — or check the official Virginia fishing regulations.
All Lakes in Fairfax County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Burke Lake | C | 4.9 ft | 30 µg/L |
| 2 | Nla Lake | D | 4.3 ft | 12013.7 µg/L |
Other Counties in Virginia
See how Fairfax 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 Fairfax County
Top-rated places to stay near Fairfax County
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a trip to Fairfax County?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Fairfax County — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.