Lake Andes is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Charles Mix County, South Dakota. Water quality is graded D based on 1 sampling years through 2023. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. Compared to the 1 other monitored lakes in Charles Mix County, Lake Andes ranks #2 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, South Dakota DNR, last sampled 2023-10-31. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk
Water Quality Grade: D, Poor
No clarity data. Phosphorus level: 80 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 67.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | No data | |
| Phosphorus | 80 µg/L | D |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 67 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Lake Andes
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Fishing Lake Andes
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -100 µg/L/yr | 2 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #2 of 2 lakes in Charles Mix County
Nearby Lakes in Charles Mix County
Explore Lake Andes across LakeGrade
More South Dakota Lake Rankings
Other Grade D Lakes in South Dakota
Eutrophic Lakes in South Dakota
More records, surveys & data sources
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
2 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Lake Andes under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 1 facility has a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Lake Andes, City OfLake Andes · 0.5 mi away · NPDES SD0022004Recent violation
- Southern Missouri Recycling & Waste Management DistrictLake Andes · 2.3 mi away · NPDES SD0028637
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)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2023-10-31
Monitoring stations: 1