Blue Valley Lake is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Jackson County, Missouri. Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2024. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. Compared to the 26 other monitored lakes in Jackson County, Blue Valley Lake ranks #1 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Missouri DNR, last sampled 2024-09-05. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Based on E. coli testing, Blue Valley Lake never exceeded the EPA safe-swimming threshold (235 MPN/100mL) — on 0% of 10 samples across 4 seasons.
This is a historical summary of past testing, not a current condition — bacteria levels change quickly, especially after rain. Always check Missouri’s current beach and health-department advisories before swimming.
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
No clarity data. Chlorophyll-a: 31.8 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 65.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | No data | |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 31.8 µg/L | F |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 65 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Blue Valley Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Blue Valley Lake in Jackson 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 Blue Valley Lake
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Fishing Blue Valley Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorophyll-a | ↓ Declining | +11.54 µg/L/yr | 3 |
Water Temperature
Blue Valley Lake averages about 81°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 85°F) and coldest in May (about 73°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 38 field readings (2010–2022) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Blue Valley Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 27 lakes in Jackson County
Nearby Lakes in Jackson County
Explore Blue Valley Lake across LakeGrade
More Missouri Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in Missouri
Eutrophic Lakes in Missouri
More records, surveys & data sources
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
21 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Blue Valley Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits, including 5 classified by the EPA as major dischargers. 9 facilities have a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Ross Custom PropertiesKansas City · 2.2 mi away · NPDES MO0004952MajorRecent violation
- Bayer Cropscience LpKansas City · 3.6 mi away · NPDES MO0002526MajorRecent violation
- Independence Rock Creek WwtpIndependence · 3.8 mi away · NPDES MO0089681MajorRecent violation
- Conservation Chemical Company GwtfKansas City · 4.2 mi away · NPDES MO0108472MajorRecent violation
- Hawthorn Generating StationKansas City · 4.2 mi away · NPDES MO0004855MajorRecent violation
- Former Koppers FacilityKansas City · 1.4 mi away · NPDES MO0120294Recent 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)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2024-09-05
Monitoring stations: 1