Cedar Lake
Randolph County, MissouriView mapDirections
Nutrients and algae sit mid-range for this region.
↑ up from D at the last regrade
- Eutrophic
- #4 of 7 in the county
Cedar Lake in Randolph County, Missouri has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 2.7 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 51.8 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 12.4 µg/L.
- Clarity
- 2.7 ft
- Typical in September
- 80°F
- Type
- Eutrophic
- Phosphorus
- 51.8 µg/L
- Chlorophyll-a
- 12.4 µg/L
- Trend
- ↓ Declining
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Watch Cedar Lake’s letter
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Cedar Lake is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Randolph 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 6 other monitored lakes in Randolph County, Cedar Lake ranks #4 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Missouri DNR, last sampled 2024-09-16. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
Swimming Safety
Grade onlyModerate
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.
The C is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.
Water Quality Grade: C (Fair)
Very murky, less than 2.7 ft of visibility. Phosphorus 51.8 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 12.4 µg/L. TSI 60. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 2.7 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 51.8 µg/L | Fair |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 12.4 µg/L | Good |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 60 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Water Temperature
Cedar Lake typically sits around 80°F at the surface in September. Summer average is about 83°F. Usually warmest in Jul (about 86°F) and coldest in Apr (about 66°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 15 field readings (2023–2024) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Cedar Lake water temperature breakdown →
Fishing Cedar Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.57 m/yr | 2 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +46 µg/L/yr | 2 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↓ Declining | +22.4 µg/L/yr | 2 |
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
4 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Cedar Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits, including 1 classified by the EPA as major discharger. 3 facilities have a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Moberly WwtpMoberly · 3.6 mi away · NPDES MO0117960MajorRecent violation
- Moberly Correctional Center WwtfMoberly · 2.1 mi away · NPDES MO0053937Recent violation
- Renick WwtfRenick · 2.7 mi away · NPDES MO0104019Recent violation
- Moberly WwtpMoberly · 1.8 mi away · NPDES MO0028827
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.
County Ranking
Ranked #4 of 7 lakes in Randolph County
Nearby Lakes in Randolph County
Frequently asked questions about Cedar Lake
Where is Cedar Lake?
- Cedar Lake is a lake in Randolph County, Missouri. LakeQuality grades it C for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for Cedar Lake?
- Cedar Lake in Randolph County, Missouri has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 2.7 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 51.8 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 12.4 µg/L.
Is Cedar Lake safe to swim in?
- The C is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.
What is the water temperature of Cedar Lake?
- Cedar Lake typically sits around 80°F at the surface in September, from 15 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2023–2024). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
Explore Cedar Lake across LakeQuality
More Missouri Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in Missouri
Eutrophic Lakes in Missouri
Where this data comes from
45 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2023–2024. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Univ. of Missouri, Columbia
UMC45 samples · 2023–2024
Analytical methods
- Depth, Secchi disk in meters
- 4500 P E ~ Phosphorus in Water by Colorimetry- Ascorbic Acid Method
- 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
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)