Kota Ray Dam Lake
Williams County, North Dakota28 acresView mapDirections
Clarity, phosphorus, and algae sit in the clean band for this region.
- Mesotrophic
- #1 of 6 in the county
- Public access
- Limited data
Kota Ray Dam Lake in Williams County, North Dakota has a water quality grade of B (Good). Water clarity: 7.7 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 22 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 3.5 µg/L. Surface area: 27.7 acres.
- Clarity
- 7.7 ft
- Area
- 28 acres
- Type
- Mesotrophic
- Phosphorus
- 22 µg/L
- Chlorophyll-a
- 3.5 µg/L
- Public access
- Yes
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Watch Kota Ray Dam Lake’s letter
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Kota Ray Dam Lake is a 28-acre mesotrophic lake in Williams County, North Dakota. Water quality is graded B based on 1 sampling years through 2024. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 5 other monitored lakes in Williams County, Kota Ray Dam Lake ranks #1 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, NDDEQ, last sampled 2024-10-03. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
What Kota Ray Dam 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 B is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.
Water Quality Grade: B (Good)
Moderate clarity, visible to about 7.7 ft. Phosphorus 22 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 3.5 µg/L. TSI 46. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 7.7 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 22 µg/L | Not graded |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 3.5 µg/L | Not graded |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 46 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 28 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
No bathymetric survey has been published for Kota Ray Dam Lake, so its depth is not documented here.
Recreation & Access
- Kota-Ray DamPublic
Named access points in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory, within about 3 miles. More lakes with boat ramps
Fishing Kota Ray Dam Lake
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Kota Ray Dam Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Kota Ray Dam (completed 1933), built primarily for recreation on the Nelson Creek; earth-type dam, 46 ft tall and 880 ft long.
- Surface area
- 27.7 ac
- Normal storage
- 337.7 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 747.1 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 7.2 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Low
- Owner
- Williams County Hwy Dept.
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID ND00197 · Operator website
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 6 lakes in Williams County
Nearby Lakes in Williams County
Frequently asked questions about Kota Ray Dam Lake
Where is Kota Ray Dam Lake?
- Kota Ray Dam Lake is a lake in Williams County, North Dakota. LakeQuality grades it B for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for Kota Ray Dam Lake?
- Kota Ray Dam Lake in Williams County, North Dakota has a water quality grade of B (Good). Water clarity: 7.7 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 22 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 3.5 µg/L. Surface area: 27.7 acres.
Is Kota Ray Dam Lake safe to swim in?
- The B is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.
Are there boat ramps on Kota Ray Dam Lake?
- Kota Ray Dam Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Kota-Ray Dam. Public access is listed as yes.
Explore Kota Ray Dam Lake across LakeQuality
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at North Dakota's top lakes, each with its grade
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
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Other Grade B Lakes in North Dakota
Mesotrophic Lakes in North Dakota
Where this data comes from
20 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2024. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- North Dakota Department Of Environmental Quality
21NDHDWQ_WQX20 samples · 2024
Analytical methods
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
- 447.0 ~ EPA; Chlorophyll a and b in phytoplankton by HPLC/UV
- 4500 NO3 E ~ Nitrate in Water- Cadmium Reduction
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
Depth, fish, and access data from North Dakota Game & Fish
Named boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory