Bonita Reservoir
Bonita Reservoir in Lauderdale County, Mississippi has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 5.9 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 90 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 3.4 µg/L. Surface area: 195 acres.
- Clarity
- 5.9 ft
- Area
- 195 acres
- Type
- Mesotrophic
- Public access
- Yes
Bonita Reservoir is a 195-acre mesotrophic lake in Lauderdale County, Mississippi. Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2025. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 2 public boat landings. Compared to the 1 other monitored lakes in Lauderdale County, Bonita Reservoir ranks #2 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, your state environmental agency, last sampled 2025-10-27. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Grade onlyLimited data
Based on clarity and algae grades from past sampling — we do not hold live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C (Fair)
Murky, only visible to about 5.9 ft. Phosphorus level: 90 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 3.4 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 54.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 5.9 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 90 µg/L | Poor |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 3.4 µg/L | Good |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 54 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Bonita Reservoir
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Bonita Reservoir in Lauderdale County, Mississippi — 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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Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 195 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
No bathymetric survey has been published for Bonita Reservoir, so its depth is not documented here.
Recreation & Access
- Bonita ReservoirPublic
- Long Creek ReservoirPublic
Named access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory, snapped within 5 km. More lakes with boat ramps
Fishing Bonita Reservoir
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Bonita Reservoir is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Bonita Number 2 Dam (completed 1992), built primarily for water supply on the Unt of Sowashee Creek; earth-type dam, 60 ft tall and 1,620 ft long.
- Surface area
- 195 ac
- Normal storage
- 2,898 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 5,900 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 3.7 sq mi
- Hazard class
- High
- Owner
- CITY OF MERIDIAN
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID MS03252 · Operator website · Matched by proximity (0.12 km)
County Ranking
Ranked #2 of 2 lakes in Lauderdale County
Nearby Lakes in Lauderdale County
Frequently asked questions about Bonita Reservoir
Where is Bonita Reservoir?
- Bonita Reservoir is a lake in Lauderdale County, Mississippi. LakeQuality grades it C for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for Bonita Reservoir?
- Bonita Reservoir in Lauderdale County, Mississippi has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 5.9 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 90 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 3.4 µg/L. Surface area: 195 acres.
Is Bonita Reservoir safe to swim in?
- Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality. Bonita Reservoir has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Algae concentration (chlorophyll-a) is 3.4 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
Are there boat ramps on Bonita Reservoir?
- Bonita Reservoir has 2 documented boat landings in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Bonita Reservoir, Long Creek Reservoir. Public access is listed as yes.
Explore Bonita Reservoir across LakeGrade
More Mississippi Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in Mississippi
Mesotrophic Lakes in Mississippi
Where this data comes from
42 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2025. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-21.
Collected and reported by
- MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
21MSWQ_WQX42 samples · 2025
Analytical methods
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
- 445.0 ~ EPA; Chlorophyll and Pheophytin in Algae by Fluorescence
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
Grade thresholds from the EPA National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See how grades are calculated and data sources.
Other records on this page
Named boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory