Jo Shelby Lake
Linn County, Missouri31 acresView mapDirections
Nutrients and algae sit mid-range for this region.
- Eutrophic
- #2 of 3 in the county
- Public access
- Limited data
Jo Shelby Lake in Linn County, Missouri has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Phosphorus: 48 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 15 µg/L. Surface area: 31 acres.
- Typical in August
- 83°F
- Area
- 31 acres
- Type
- Eutrophic
- Public access
- Yes
Stays via Stay22
Stays near Jo Shelby Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Jo Shelby Lake in Linn 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.
Top-rated places to stay near Jo Shelby Lake
Prices for Sep 11–13, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Missouri’s top lakes →
Watch Jo Shelby Lake’s letter
Email me if this lake’s grade moves. Grades stay free.
Or email
Jo Shelby Lake is a 31-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Linn County, Missouri. Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2024. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 2 other monitored lakes in Linn County, Jo Shelby Lake ranks #2 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Missouri DNR, last sampled 2024-08-07. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
What Jo Shelby Lake is good for
From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.
- Boat launch1 documented ramp
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)
No clarity data. Phosphorus 48 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 15 µg/L. TSI 59. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | No recent samples | |
| Phosphorus | 48 µg/L | Fair |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 15 µg/L | Fair |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 59 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Water Temperature
Jo Shelby Lake typically sits around 83°F at the surface in August. Summer average is about 82°F. Usually warmest in Aug (about 83°F) and coldest in May (about 72°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 12 field readings (2013–2024) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Jo Shelby Lake water temperature breakdown →
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 31 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
No bathymetric survey has been published for Jo Shelby Lake, so its depth is not documented here.
Recreation & Access
- Fountain Grove Conservation AreaPublic
Named access points in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory, within about 3 miles. More lakes with boat ramps
Fishing Jo Shelby Lake
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Jo Shelby Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Fountain Grove Lake Dam (completed 1958), built primarily for recreation on the TR-PARSON CREEK; earth-type dam, 26 ft tall.
- Surface area
- 31 ac
- Normal storage
- 220 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 431 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 375 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Low
- Owner
- MO DEPT OF CONSERVATION
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID MO10182 · Operator website · Matched by proximity (0.04 km)
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
2 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Jo Shelby Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 1 facility has a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Meadville WwtfMeadville · 4.8 mi away · NPDES MO0041114Recent violation
- Ponting Custom ApplicationHale · 4.2 mi away · NPDES MONX00295
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.
County Ranking
Ranked #2 of 3 lakes in Linn County
Nearby Lakes With Higher Grades
Jo Shelby Lake holds Grade C. 2 nearby lakes hold higher nutrient-and-algae grades — useful for a swim day, not a reason to skip lodging here.
Nearby Lakes in Linn County
Frequently asked questions about Jo Shelby Lake
Where is Jo Shelby Lake?
- Jo Shelby Lake is a lake in Linn County, Missouri. LakeQuality grades it C for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for Jo Shelby Lake?
- Jo Shelby Lake in Linn County, Missouri has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Phosphorus: 48 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 15 µg/L. Surface area: 31 acres.
Is Jo Shelby Lake safe to swim in?
- The C is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.
What is the water temperature of Jo Shelby Lake?
- Jo Shelby Lake typically sits around 83°F at the surface in August, from 12 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2013–2024). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
Are there boat ramps on Jo Shelby Lake?
- Jo Shelby Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Fountain Grove Conservation Area. Public access is listed as yes.
Explore Jo Shelby Lake across LakeQuality
More Missouri Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in Missouri
Eutrophic Lakes in Missouri
Where this data comes from
8 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2024. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Univ. of Missouri, Columbia
UMC8 samples · 2024
Analytical methods
- 4500 P E ~ Phosphorus in Water by Colorimetry- Ascorbic Acid Method
- 445.0 ~ EPA; Chlorophyll and Pheophytin in Algae by Fluorescence
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
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
Named boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory