Driver Creek Lake
Van Buren County, ArkansasView mapDirections
Nutrients and algae sit mid-range for this region.
↓ down from B at the last regrade
- Eutrophic
- Impaired · pH / acidity
- #1 of 1 in the county
Driver Creek Lake in Van Buren County, Arkansas has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Phosphorus: 27 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 13 µg/L.
- Type
- Eutrophic
- Phosphorus
- 27 µg/L
- Chlorophyll-a
- 13 µg/L
- Trend
- ↑ Improving
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Watch Driver Creek Lake’s letter
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Driver Creek Lake is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Van Buren County, Arkansas. Water quality is graded C based on 3 sampling years through 2023. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, ADEQ, last sampled 2023-02-21. 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. Driver Creek Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for pH / acidity. Check local advisories before you swim.
Water Quality Grade: C (Fair)
No clarity data. Phosphorus 27 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 13 µg/L. TSI 54. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | No recent samples | |
| Phosphorus | 27 µg/L | Fair |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 13 µg/L | Fair |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 54 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Fishing Driver Creek Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 7 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -1.6 µg/L/yr | 6 |
| Chlorophyll-a | → Stable | -0.21 µg/L/yr | 7 |
EPA Impairment Status
Driver Creek 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 AR_11110203_4020 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (0.04 km)
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 1 lakes in Van Buren County
Nearby Lakes in Van Buren County
Frequently asked questions about Driver Creek Lake
Where is Driver Creek Lake?
- Driver Creek Lake is a lake in Van Buren County, Arkansas. LakeQuality grades it C for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for Driver Creek Lake?
- Driver Creek Lake in Van Buren County, Arkansas has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Phosphorus: 27 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 13 µg/L.
Is Driver Creek Lake safe to swim in?
- The C is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Driver Creek Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for pH / acidity. Check local advisories before you swim.
Explore Driver Creek Lake across LakeQuality
3 documented falls within 24.2 mi, nearest Falling Water Falls
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Arkansas's top lakes, each with its grade
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
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Where this data comes from
74 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2012–2023. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality
ARDEQH2O_WQX74 samples · 2012–2023
Analytical methods
- 4500 P J ~ Persulfate Method for Simultaneous Determination of Total Nitrogen and Total Phosphorus
- 445.0 ~ EPA; Chlorophyll and Pheophytin in Algae by Fluorescence
- Turbidity by Nephelometry
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
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database