Cliffs of the Neuse Lake
Wayne County, North Carolina9 acresView mapDirections
Nutrients and algae sit mid-range for this region.
- Eutrophic
- #1 of 1 in the county
- Public access
- Limited data
Cliffs of the Neuse Lake in Wayne County, North Carolina has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 7.9 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 50 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 10 µg/L. Surface area: 8.5 acres.
- Clarity
- 7.9 ft
- Area
- 9 acres
- Type
- Eutrophic
- Trend
- ↑ Improving
- Public access
- Yes
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Cliffs of the Neuse Lake is a 9-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Wayne County, North Carolina. Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2025. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, NCDEQ, last sampled 2025-09-04. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
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.
The C is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.
Water Quality Grade: C (Fair)
Moderate clarity, visible to about 7.9 ft. Phosphorus 50 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 10 µg/L. TSI 54. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 7.9 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 50 µg/L | Fair |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 10 µg/L | Good |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 54 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 9 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
No bathymetric survey has been published for Cliffs of the Neuse Lake, so its depth is not documented here.
Fishing Cliffs of the Neuse Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -0.22 µg/L/yr | 2 |
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Cliffs of the Neuse Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Cliffs of Neuse State Park Dam (completed 1951), built primarily for recreation on the Mill Creek; earth-type dam, 37 ft tall and 160 ft long.
- Surface area
- 8.5 ac
- Normal storage
- 78 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 125 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 0.31 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Low
- Owner
- NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID NC04669 · Operator website · Matched by proximity (0.22 km)
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 1 lakes in Wayne County
Nearby Lakes in Wayne County
Frequently asked questions about Cliffs of the Neuse Lake
Where is Cliffs of the Neuse Lake?
- Cliffs of the Neuse Lake is a lake in Wayne County, North Carolina. LakeQuality grades it C for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for Cliffs of the Neuse Lake?
- Cliffs of the Neuse Lake in Wayne County, North Carolina has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 7.9 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 50 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 10 µg/L. Surface area: 8.5 acres.
Is Cliffs of the Neuse Lake safe to swim in?
- The C is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.
Explore Cliffs of the Neuse Lake across LakeQuality
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Where this data comes from
24 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2020–2025. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- North Carolina Dept of Environmental Quality NCDEQ-DWR WQX
21NC03WQ24 samples · 2020–2025
Analytical methods
- WSSSOP
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
- 445.0 ~ EPA; Chlorophyll and Pheophytin in Algae by Fluorescence
- 2130 B ~ Nephelometric Method
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.