
Stafford County Lake Quality
Virginia, 11 lakes, measured by Virginia DEQ
Stafford County has 11 monitored 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. 5 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 Stafford County carry favourable nutrient and algae readings for Virginia.
The county's lakes lean shallow, which makes the readings sensitive to wind, sediment-resuspension, and any nutrient inputs from the watershed. The cleanest measured lake is Smith Lake.
Where to stay near Stafford County
Top-rated places to stay near Stafford County
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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 Stafford County?
Get lake water-quality updates plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Stafford County — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Quick Answers for Stafford County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Smith Lake — or check the official Virginia fishing regulations.
All Lakes in Stafford County
11 lakes · 5 ranked on readings, 6 without enough sampling5 lakes ranked on readings · 6 without enough sampling, hidden
| # | Lake | Clarity | Phosphorus | Algae | Trophic | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Smith LakeStafford | 8.2 ft | 10 µg/L | 2.3 µg/L | No recent samples | Not recorded |
| 2 | Upper LakeStafford | 8.7 ft | 10 µg/L | 2.3 µg/L | No recent samples | Not recorded |
| 3 | Near Spillway Lake MooneyStafford | 9.2 ft | 10 µg/L | 1.4 µg/L | No recent samples | ✓ Public |
| 4 | Curtis LakeStafford | 4.3 ft | 25 µg/L | 12.1 µg/L | No recent samples | ✓ Public |
| 5 | Abel LakeStafford | 5.2 ft | 20 µg/L | 7.4 µg/L | No recent samples | Not recorded |
| Near Boat Ramp LakeStafford | 3.8 ft | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | ✓ Public | |
| Lunga ReservoirStafford | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | Not recorded | |
| Big Lake ArrowheadStafford | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | Not recorded | |
| Breckenridge ReservoirStafford | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | Not recorded | |
| Smith LakeStafford | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | Not recorded | |
| Abel LakeStafford | No recent samples | 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.
Lake Match
Which lake suits how you actually use one?
Six questions — swimming, fishing, quiet, cabins, drive time — and a shortlist of lakes that fit, with the water quality behind each one.
Other Counties in Virginia
Browse every Virginia lake, or the full directory of lakes across all United States (49 states), Canada (Ontario, Québec, Nova Scotia, British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador), and 38 other country hubs..
Source: the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. See data sources.