Franklin County Lake Quality
Virginia, 15 lakes, measured by Virginia DEQ
The county-level average smooths over real differences — a single agricultural watershed near the southwest corner can pull the average down even if the rest of the county runs clean. 12 of those lakes carry recent nutrient and algae readings. The county-level summary describes that subset, not every water body listed. Most monitored lakes in Franklin County carry favourable nutrient and algae readings for Virginia.
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. Lower Blackwater River Lake has the lowest nutrient and algae readings in the county.
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Quick Answers for Franklin County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Lower Blackwater River Lake — or check the official Virginia fishing regulations.
All Lakes in Franklin County
15 lakes · 12 ranked on readings, 3 without enough sampling12 lakes ranked on readings · 3 without enough sampling, hidden
| # | Lake | Clarity | Phosphorus | Algae | Trophic | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lower Blackwater River LakeFranklin | 12.1 ft | 10 µg/L | 2.3 µg/L | No recent samples | Not recorded |
| 2 | Dam LakeFranklin | 12.1 ft | 10 µg/L | 1.7 µg/L | No recent samples | ✓ Public |
| 3 | Goose Point LakeFranklin | 10.2 ft | 10 µg/L | 1.5 µg/L | No recent samples | ✓ Public |
| 4 | Cool Branch LakeFranklin | 10.5 ft | 10 µg/L | 2.1 µg/L | No recent samples | ✓ Public |
| 5 | Mouth of Bull Run LakeFranklin | 10.2 ft | 10 µg/L | 2.1 µg/L | No recent samples | ✓ Public |
| 6 | Hardy Ford LakeFranklin | 3 ft | 40 µg/L | 5.5 µg/L | No recent samples | ✓ Public |
| 7 | Mcveigh Ford LakeFranklin | 3.9 ft | 30 µg/L | 0.6 µg/L | No recent samples | Not recorded |
| 8 | Middle Blackwater River LakeFranklin | 5.9 ft | 20 µg/L | 5.6 µg/L | No recent samples | Not recorded |
| 9 | Hales Ford LakeFranklin | 4.9 ft | 20 µg/L | 8.8 µg/L | No recent samples | ✓ Public |
| 10 | Confl. Indian Cr. LakeFranklin | 4.6 ft | 20 µg/L | 11.2 µg/L | No recent samples | Not recorded |
| 11 | Gills Creek LakeFranklin | 6.2 ft | 20 µg/L | 4.6 µg/L | No recent samples | ✓ Public |
| 12 | Upper Blackwater River LakeFranklin | 3 ft | 40 µg/L | 17.3 µg/L | No recent samples | Not recorded |
| Smith Mountain LakeFranklin | 7 ft | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | Not recorded | |
| Cove LakeFranklin | 10.2 ft | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | ✓ Public | |
| Hab Sample Off Buck Run Point LakeFranklin | 8.2 ft | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | Not recorded |
NR = no nutrient or algae reading on record. The measurements are published as the authority reports them. Where the data comes from.
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Source: the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. See data sources.