Cameron Lake Nr. Dam is a 177-acre highly nutrient-loaded hypereutrophic lake in DeKalb County, Missouri. Water quality is graded F based on 3 sampling years through 2024. 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 5 other monitored lakes in DeKalb County, Cameron Lake Nr. Dam ranks #6 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Missouri DNR, last sampled 2024-09-19. 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
Very murky, less than 1.6 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 128.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 52.1 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 71.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 1.6 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | 128.5 µg/L | F |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 52.1 µg/L | F |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 71 | Hypereutrophic |
Very high nutrients, dense algae, poor clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 177 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near Cameron Lake Nr. Dam
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Fishing Cameron Lake Nr. Dam
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 4 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.024 m/yr | 4 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +5.75 µg/L/yr | 4 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↓ Declining | +2.11 µg/L/yr | 4 |
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Cameron Lake Nr. Dam averages about 81°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 84°F) and coldest in Apr (about 59°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 65 field readings (2010–2024) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Cameron Lake Nr. Dam water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #6 of 6 lakes in DeKalb County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Cameron Lake Nr. Dam holds Grade F. 4 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- DPony Express LakeDeKalb County · 4.9 mi · Higher grade (F → D)
- DBuffalo Bill Lake Nr. AccessDeKalb County · 5.5 mi · Higher grade (F → D)
- DHamilton LakeCaldwell County · 13.9 mi · Higher grade (F → D)
- DLake ArrowheadClinton County · 20 mi · Higher grade (F → D)
Nearby Lakes in DeKalb County
Explore Cameron Lake Nr. Dam across LakeGrade
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Missouri's top lakes, each with its grade
Very high nutrients, dense algae, poor clarity
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More Missouri Lake Rankings
Other Grade F Lakes in Missouri
Hypereutrophic Lakes in Missouri
More records, surveys & data sources
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Cameron Lake Nr. Dam is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Grindstone L-M-C Site A-2 (completed 1990), built primarily for water supply on the GRINDSTONE; earth-type dam, 53 ft tall and 1,700 ft long.
- Surface area
- 177 ac
- Normal storage
- 3,274 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 3,274 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 20.91 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Low
- Owner
- GRINDSTONE L-M-C WTR SD
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID MO12228 · Operator website · Matched by proximity (0.1 km)
EPA Impairment Status
Cameron Lake Nr. Dam 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_7384.00 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (0.58 km)
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
1 EPA-permitted facility operate within about 5 miles of Cameron Lake Nr. Dam under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 1 facility has a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Osborn WwtfOsborn · 3.1 mi away · NPDES MO0099856Recent 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
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Most recent sample: 2024-09-19
Monitoring stations: 2