Bethel Lake is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Boone County, Missouri. Water quality is graded C based on 3 sampling years through 2024. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. Compared to the 11 other monitored lakes in Boone County, Bethel Lake ranks #5 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Missouri DNR, last sampled 2024-07-19. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Bethel Lake water quality
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Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Very murky, less than 2.2 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 32.7 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 9.5 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 58.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 2.2 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | 32.7 µg/L | C |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 9.5 µg/L | B |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 58 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Bethel Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Bethel Lake in Boone 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 Bethel Lake
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Fishing Bethel Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.36 m/yr | 2 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +15.5 µg/L/yr | 3 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -0.35 µg/L/yr | 3 |
Water Temperature
Bethel Lake averages about 83°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 84°F) and coldest in May (about 75°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 14 field readings (2022–2024) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Bethel Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #5 of 12 lakes in Boone County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Bethel Lake holds Grade C. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Boone County
Explore Bethel Lake across LakeGrade
More Missouri Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in Missouri
Eutrophic Lakes in Missouri
More records, surveys & data sources
EPA Impairment Status
Bethel 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_7199.00 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (0.84 km)
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2024-07-19
Monitoring stations: 1