Belcher Branch Lake is a 46-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Buchanan County, Missouri. Water quality is graded D based on 3 sampling years through 2023. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Missouri DNR, last sampled 2023-09-20. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk
Water Quality Grade: D, Poor
Very murky, less than 1 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 44 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 44.9 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 68.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 1 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | 44 µg/L | C |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 44.9 µg/L | F |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 68 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 46 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near Belcher Branch Lake
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Fishing Belcher Branch Lake
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Belcher Branch Lake averages about 79°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 82°F) and coldest in May (about 72°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 11 field readings (2013–2023) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Belcher Branch Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 1 lakes in Buchanan County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Belcher Branch Lake holds Grade D. 5 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- BWeatherby LakePlatte County · 24.5 mi · Two grade letters higher (D → B)
- DSmithville LakeClay County · 14 mi · Higher overall water quality score
- DSmithville Lake by DamClay County · 16.1 mi · Higher overall water quality score
- DSmithville LakeClay County · 17.1 mi · Higher overall water quality score
- DPony Express LakeDeKalb County · 24.1 mi · Higher overall water quality score
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More records, surveys & data sources
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Belcher Branch Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Belcher Branch Lake Dam (completed 1992), built primarily for fish and wildlife pond on the TR-BELCHER BRANCH; earth-type dam, 47 ft tall and 1,397 ft long.
- Surface area
- 46 ac
- Normal storage
- 626 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 1,765 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 2.18 sq mi
- Hazard class
- High
- Owner
- MO DEPT OF CONSERVATION
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID MO12290 · Operator website
EPA Impairment Status
Belcher Branch Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2022 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MO_7365.00 · Official waterbody report
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
2 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Belcher Branch Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 2 facilities have a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Pilot Travel Center 1323 WwtfFaucett · 3.5 mi away · NPDES MO0120758Recent violation
- Whispering Pines Mhp WwtpAgency · 4.4 mi away · NPDES MO0118991Recent 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
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Most recent sample: 2023-09-20
Monitoring stations: 1