Aspen Lake Along Southern Arm is a 146-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Warren County, Missouri. Water quality is graded C based on 3 sampling years through 2021. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. Compared to the 15 other monitored lakes in Warren County, Aspen Lake Along Southern Arm ranks #8 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Missouri DNR, last sampled 2021-09-27. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Aspen Lake Along Southern Arm water quality
Subscribe for LakeQuality updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Murky, only visible to about 3.8 ft. Phosphorus level: 20.8 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 5.3 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 51.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 3.8 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | 20.8 µg/L | B |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 5.3 µg/L | B |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 51 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 146 acres |
Where to stay near Aspen Lake Along Southern Arm
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Aspen Lake Along Southern Arm in Warren County, Missouri — live availability and prices for your trip. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water.
Top-rated places to stay near Aspen Lake Along Southern Arm
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 Aspen Lake Along Southern Arm?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Aspen Lake Along Southern Arm — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Missouri’s top lakes →
Fishing Aspen Lake Along Southern Arm
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.035 m/yr | 5 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +0.88 µg/L/yr | 5 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↓ Declining | +0.33 µg/L/yr | 5 |
Water Temperature
Aspen Lake Along Southern Arm averages about 83°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 87°F) and coldest in Apr (about 63°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 87 field readings (2010–2021) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Aspen Lake Along Southern Arm water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #8 of 16 lakes in Warren County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Aspen Lake Along Southern Arm holds Grade C. 5 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- AAlpine LakeWarren County · 2.4 mi · Two grade letters higher (C → A)
- BLake KonstanzWarren County · 2 mi · Higher grade (C → B)
- BWhippoorwill LakeWarren County · 0.7 mi · Higher grade (C → B)
- BCastlenovo LakeWarren County · 1 mi · Higher grade (C → B)
- BInnsbrook Lake Nr. DamWarren County · 1.2 mi · Higher grade (C → B)
Nearby Lakes in Warren County
Explore Aspen Lake Along Southern Arm across LakeGrade
More Missouri Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in Missouri
Eutrophic Lakes in Missouri
More records, surveys & data sources
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Aspen Lake Along Southern Arm is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Lake Aspen Dam (completed 1979), built primarily for recreation on the TRIB CHARRETTE CREEK; earth-type dam, 53 ft tall and 650 ft long.
- Surface area
- 146 ac
- Normal storage
- 2,167 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 4,540 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 7.46 sq mi
- Hazard class
- High
- Owner
- INNSBROOK OWNERS ASSOCIATION
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID MO31714 · Operator website · Matched by proximity (0.3 km)
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
4 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Aspen Lake Along Southern Arm under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 4 facilities have a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Innsbrook Estates WwtpWright City · 0.3 mi away · NPDES MO0098906Recent violation
- Oakview Estates WwtpWright City · 0.9 mi away · NPDES MO0125181Recent violation
- Odom WwtfWright City · 1.4 mi away · NPDES MO0120898Recent violation
- Wildwood Hills Subdivision WwtfWright City · 1.5 mi away · NPDES MO0087955Recent violation
Facilities permitted to discharge under the Clean Water Act within ~5 miles; proximity does not by itself mean a facility affects this lake. Source: EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES), as of 2026-07.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2021-09-27
Monitoring stations: 1