Emory River Lake
Roane County, TennesseeView mapDirections
Nutrients and algae sit mid-range for this region.
↓ down from B at the last regrade
- Mesotrophic
- Impaired · Mercury
- #2 of 4 in the county
- Public access
- Limited data
Emory River Lake in Roane County, Tennessee has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Phosphorus: 22.9 µg/L.
- Type
- Mesotrophic
- Phosphorus
- 22.9 µg/L
- Trend
- ↑ Improving
- Public access
- Yes
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Watch Emory River Lake’s letter
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Emory River Lake is a mesotrophic lake in Roane County, Tennessee. Water quality is graded C based on 1 sampling years through 2022. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available. Compared to the 3 other monitored lakes in Roane County, Emory River Lake ranks #2 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, TDEC, last sampled 2022-07-25. 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. Emory River Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for mercury, pesticides, pCBs. Check local advisories before you swim.
Water Quality Grade: C (Fair)
No clarity data. Phosphorus 22.9 µg/L. TSI 49. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | No recent samples | |
| Phosphorus | 22.9 µg/L | Fair |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No recent samples | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 49 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Fishing Emory River Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -29.9 µg/L/yr | 2 |
EPA Impairment Status
Emory River Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit TN06010208001_2000 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (1.3 km)
County Ranking
Ranked #2 of 4 lakes in Roane County
Nearby Lakes in Roane County
Frequently asked questions about Emory River Lake
Where is Emory River Lake?
- Emory River Lake is a lake in Roane County, Tennessee. LakeQuality grades it C for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for Emory River Lake?
- Emory River Lake in Roane County, Tennessee has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Phosphorus: 22.9 µg/L.
Is Emory River Lake safe to swim in?
- The C is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Emory River Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for mercury, pesticides, pCBs. Check local advisories before you swim.
Explore Emory River Lake across LakeQuality
17.9 mi away · 110 ft
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Tennessee's top lakes, each with its grade
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
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Other Grade C Lakes in Tennessee
Mesotrophic Lakes in Tennessee
Where this data comes from
21 measurements from 3 monitoring stations, 2021–2022. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- TDEC Division of Water Resources
TDECWR_WQX21 samples · 2021–2022
Analytical methods
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
- Turbidity by Nephelometry
Monitoring station identifiers (3)
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