Binder Lake is a 138-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Cole County, Missouri. Water quality is graded D based on 3 sampling years through 2021. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 1 other monitored lakes in Cole County, Binder Lake ranks #1 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Missouri DNR, last sampled 2021-07-21. 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 2.1 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 54.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 32.1 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 64.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 2.1 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | 54.5 µg/L | C |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 32.1 µg/L | F |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 64 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 138 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near Binder Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Binder Lake in Cole 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.
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Fishing Binder Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.07 m/yr | 2 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -6.5 µg/L/yr | 2 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↓ Declining | +66.3 µg/L/yr | 2 |
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Binder Lake averages about 85°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jun (about 85°F) and coldest in Apr (about 64°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 59 field readings (2012–2021) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Binder Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 2 lakes in Cole County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Binder Lake holds Grade D. 3 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- CMckee PondBoone County · 5.3 mi · Higher grade (D → C)
- CPhillips LakeBoone County · 20.3 mi · Higher grade (D → C)
- CBethel LakeBoone County · 20.8 mi · Higher grade (D → C)
Nearby Lakes in Cole County
Explore Binder 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)
Binder Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Binder Community Lake Dam (completed 1966), built primarily for recreation on the DICKERSON CR; earth-type dam, 48 ft tall and 1,200 ft long.
- Surface area
- 138 ac
- Normal storage
- 3,312 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 3,312 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 6.2 sq mi
- Hazard class
- High
- Owner
- MO DEPT OF CONSERVATION
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID MO30051 · Operator website · Matched by proximity (0.11 km)
EPA Impairment Status
Binder 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_7185.00 · Official waterbody report
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
8 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Binder Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 1 facility has a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Saddlebrooke Lake WwtpLohman · 4 mi away · NPDES MO0127353Recent violation
- Cardwell HardwoodsJefferson City · 1.4 mi away · NPDES MONX01020
- St. Martins Knights Of Columbus WwtfJefferson City · 1.5 mi away · NPDES MO0129372
- Porite Jefferson CorporationJefferson City · 3.1 mi away · NPDES MONX00396
- Mawc Anderson Lake LagoonJefferson City · 4.2 mi away · NPDES MO0121410
- Mawc Sunny Brook WwtpJefferson City · 4.5 mi away · NPDES MO0105759
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)
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: 2021-07-21
Monitoring stations: 2