Bilby Ranch Lake is a 110-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Nodaway County, Missouri. Water quality is graded D based on 3 sampling years through 2024. Phosphorus level is declining over recent sampling years. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 4 other monitored lakes in Nodaway County, Bilby Ranch Lake ranks #3 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Missouri DNR, last sampled 2024-07-29. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Bilby Ranch Lake water quality
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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 2.4 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 51.3 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 24.1 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 62.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 2.4 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | 51.3 µg/L | C |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 24.1 µg/L | D |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 62 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 110 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near Bilby Ranch Lake
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Fishing Bilby Ranch Lake
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | → Stable | -0.015 m/yr | 4 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +1.58 µg/L/yr | 5 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -2.93 µg/L/yr | 5 |
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Bilby Ranch Lake averages about 81°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 83°F) and coldest in May (about 69°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 60 field readings (2010–2024) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Bilby Ranch Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #3 of 5 lakes in Nodaway County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Bilby Ranch Lake holds Grade D. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Nodaway County
Explore Bilby Ranch Lake across LakeGrade
More Missouri Lake Rankings
Other Grade D Lakes in Missouri
Eutrophic Lakes in Missouri
More records, surveys & data sources
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Bilby Ranch Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Bilby Ranch Dam (completed 1991), built primarily for fish and wildlife pond on the TR NODAWAY RIVER; earth-type dam, 54 ft tall and 1,482 ft long.
- Surface area
- 110 ac
- Normal storage
- 1,360 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 2,970 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 2.75 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Low
- Owner
- MO DEPT OF CONSERVATION
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID MO12280 · Operator website
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
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: 2024-07-29
Monitoring stations: 1