Deer Ridge Comm. Lake is a 48-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Lewis County, Missouri. Water quality is graded D based on 3 sampling years through 2024. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Missouri DNR, last sampled 2024-07-31. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Deer Ridge Comm. Lake water quality
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Swimming Safety
Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk
Water Quality Grade: D, Poor
Very murky, less than 2.9 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 44 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 19.8 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 60.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 2.9 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | 44 µg/L | C |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 19.8 µg/L | C |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 60 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 48 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near Deer Ridge Comm. Lake
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Fishing Deer Ridge Comm. Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.157 m/yr | 4 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -7.85 µg/L/yr | 5 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -7.4 µg/L/yr | 5 |
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Deer Ridge Comm. Lake averages about 82°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 84°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 62 field readings (2010–2024) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Deer Ridge Comm. Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 1 lakes in Lewis County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Deer Ridge Comm. Lake holds Grade D. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Lewis County
Explore Deer Ridge Comm. Lake across LakeGrade
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Eutrophic Lakes in Missouri
More records, surveys & data sources
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Deer Ridge Comm. Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Deer Ridge Community Lake Dam (completed 1960), built primarily for recreation on the TR-NORTH FABIUS RIVER; earth-type dam, 38 ft tall and 500 ft long.
- Surface area
- 48 ac
- Normal storage
- 528 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 608 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 0.95 sq mi
- Hazard class
- High
- Owner
- MO DEPT OF CONSERVATION
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID MO10109 · Operator website · Matched by proximity (0.04 km)
EPA Impairment Status
Deer Ridge Comm. Lake 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_7015.00 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (0.29 km)
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Most recent sample: 2024-07-31
Monitoring stations: 2