H.S. Truman Res. Nr. Dam Lake is a 55,600-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Benton County, Missouri. Water quality is graded C 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 5 public boat landings.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Missouri DNR, last sampled 2024-09-11. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch H.S. Truman Res. Nr. Dam Lake water quality
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Swimming Safety
Based on E. coli testing, H.S. Truman Res. Nr. Dam Lake occasionally exceeded the EPA safe-swimming threshold (235 MPN/100mL) — on 8.1% of 236 samples across 8 seasons.
This is a historical summary of past testing, not a current condition — bacteria levels change quickly, especially after rain. Always check Missouri’s current beach and health-department advisories before swimming.
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Murky, only visible to about 3.8 ft. Phosphorus level: 38.7 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 18.3 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 58.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 3.8 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | 38.7 µg/L | C |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 18.3 µg/L | C |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 58 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 55,600 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near H.S. Truman Res. Nr. Dam Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near H.S. Truman Res. Nr. Dam Lake in Benton County, Missouri — live availability and prices for your trip. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water.
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Fishing H.S. Truman Res. Nr. Dam Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | → Stable | +0.017 m/yr | 4 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -1.38 µg/L/yr | 5 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -2.36 µg/L/yr | 5 |
Recreation & Access
Current Conditions
Latest reading Jul 6, 2026, 4:45 AM from USGS gauge 06922440. See live data ↗ — readings update every 15–60 minutes; this page refreshes on each build.
Water Temperature
H.S. Truman Res. Nr. Dam Lake averages about 82°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 83°F) and coldest in May (about 78°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 54 field readings (2010–2024) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full H.S. Truman Res. Nr. Dam Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 1 lakes in Benton County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
H.S. Truman Res. Nr. Dam Lake holds Grade C. 2 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- BCrystal-Morgan LakeMorgan County · 26.5 mi · Higher grade (C → B)
- CPomme de Terre L. LakeHickory County · 26.2 mi · Higher overall water quality score
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More records, surveys & data sources
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
H.S. Truman Res. Nr. Dam Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Harry S. Truman Dam (completed 1979), built primarily for flood risk reduction on the OSAGE RIVER; rockfill-type dam, 98 ft tall and 5,000 ft long.
- Surface area
- 55,600 ac
- Normal storage
- 1,203,404 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 5,202,000 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 11,500 sq mi
- Hazard class
- High
- Owner
- USACE - Kansas City District
All listed purposes: Flood Risk Reduction;Fish and Wildlife Pond;Recreation;Hydroelectric.
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID MO20725 · Operator website · Matched by proximity (0.64 km)
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
27 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of H.S. Truman Res. Nr. Dam Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 12 facilities have a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Pecan Grove Campground And Rv Park WwtpWarsaw · 1.3 mi away · NPDES MO0134457Recent violation
- Hidden ValleyWarsaw · 1.6 mi away · NPDES MO0139327Recent violation
- Reel And Trigger Resort WwtfWarsaw · 2.3 mi away · NPDES MO0109916Recent violation
- Cedar Glade Subdivision WwtpWarsaw · 2.7 mi away · NPDES MO0139351Recent violation
- Lakeview Rv ParkWarsaw · 2.9 mi away · NPDES MO0140635Recent violation
- Beyonder At Sterett Creek Marina WwtfWarsaw · 3.1 mi away · NPDES MO0136476Recent violation
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.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
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: 2024-09-11
Monitoring stations: 1