Big Lake is a highly nutrient-loaded hypereutrophic lake in Holt County, Missouri. Water quality is graded F based on 1 sampling years through 2023. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Missouri DNR, last sampled 2023-11-28. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Avoid swimming, very poor water quality, potential algae toxins
Water Quality Grade: F, Very Poor
No clarity data. Phosphorus level: 708.5 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 99.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | No data | |
| Phosphorus | 708.5 µg/L | F |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 99 | Hypereutrophic |
Very high nutrients, dense algae, poor clarity
Where to stay near Big Lake
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Fishing Big Lake
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 1 lakes in Holt County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Big Lake holds Grade F. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
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Explore Big Lake across LakeGrade
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Very high nutrients, dense algae, poor clarity
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More records, surveys & data sources
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
1 EPA-permitted facility operate within about 5 miles of Big Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 1 facility has a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Mdnr, Big Lake State Park WwtfCraig · 1.3 mi away · NPDES MO0129259Recent 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: 2023-11-28
Monitoring stations: 1