Ben Branch Lake by Dam is a 44-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Osage County, Missouri. Water quality is graded D based on 3 sampling years through 2022. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. 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 2022-07-29. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Ben Branch Lake by Dam water quality
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Swimming Safety
Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk
Water Quality Grade: D, Poor
Murky, only visible to about 3.9 ft. Phosphorus level: 30.4 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 22.8 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 57.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 3.9 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | 30.4 µg/L | C |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 22.8 µg/L | D |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 57 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 44 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near Ben Branch Lake by Dam
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Fishing Ben Branch Lake by Dam
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.27 m/yr | 3 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +9.5 µg/L/yr | 3 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↓ Declining | +1.55 µg/L/yr | 3 |
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Ben Branch Lake by Dam averages about 82°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 84°F) and coldest in Apr (about 57°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 23 field readings (2012–2022) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Ben Branch Lake by Dam water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 1 lakes in Osage County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Ben Branch Lake by Dam holds Grade D. 5 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- BSeetal LakeGasconade County · 20.8 mi · Two grade letters higher (D → B)
- CPeaceful Valley LakeGasconade County · 19.9 mi · Higher grade (D → C)
- CLost Valley LakeGasconade County · 22.6 mi · Higher grade (D → C)
- CPeaceful Valley LakeGasconade County · 19.9 mi · Higher grade (D → C)
- CCrow PondCallaway County · 22.7 mi · Higher grade (D → C)
Nearby Lakes in Osage County
Explore Ben Branch Lake by Dam across LakeGrade
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Other Grade D Lakes in Missouri
Eutrophic Lakes in Missouri
More records, surveys & data sources
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Ben Branch Lake by Dam is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Ben Branch Dam (completed 1984), built primarily for recreation on the BEN BRANCH; earth-type dam, 51 ft tall and 850 ft long.
- Surface area
- 44 ac
- Normal storage
- 675 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 1,210 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 0.98 sq mi
- Hazard class
- High
- Owner
- MO DEPT OF CONSERVATION
All listed purposes: Recreation;Fish and Wildlife Pond.
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID MO31844 · Operator website · Matched by proximity (0.09 km)
EPA Impairment Status
Ben Branch Lake by Dam 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_7186.00 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (0.31 km)
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Most recent sample: 2022-07-29
Monitoring stations: 2