Lake Buteo is a 8-acre mesotrophic lake in Johnson County, Missouri. Water quality is graded B based on 3 sampling years through 2024. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. Compared to the 4 other monitored lakes in Johnson County, Lake Buteo ranks #2 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Missouri DNR, last sampled 2024-08-27. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Lake Buteo water quality
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Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Murky, only visible to about 5.6 ft. Phosphorus level: 20 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 4 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 48.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 5.6 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | 20 µg/L | B |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 4 µg/L | A |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 48 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 8 acres |
Where to stay near Lake Buteo
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Lake Buteo in Johnson 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 Lake Buteo
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.247 m/yr | 5 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -2.15 µg/L/yr | 5 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -1.76 µg/L/yr | 5 |
Water Temperature
Lake Buteo averages about 83°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 86°F) and coldest in Apr (about 63°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 74 field readings (2015–2024) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Lake Buteo water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #2 of 5 lakes in Johnson County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Lake Buteo holds Grade B. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Johnson County
Explore Lake Buteo across LakeGrade
More Missouri Lake Rankings
Other Grade B Lakes in Missouri
Mesotrophic Lakes in Missouri
More records, surveys & data sources
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Lake Buteo is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Lake Buteo Dam (completed 1927), built primarily for recreation on the TR-CLEAR FORK BLKWTR RIVER; earth-type dam, 25 ft tall.
- Surface area
- 8 ac
- Normal storage
- 70 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 107 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 225 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Low
- Owner
- MO DEPT OF CONSERVATION
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID MO20179 · Operator website
EPA Impairment Status
Lake Buteo is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2022 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MO_7469.00 · Official waterbody report
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
15 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Lake Buteo under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits, including 1 classified by the EPA as major discharger. 10 facilities have a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Usaf Whiteman Air Force Base WwtpWhiteman Afb · 1.4 mi away · NPDES MO0029378MajorRecent violation
- Jerry Kruse & JonaleneKnob Noster · 0.4 mi away · NPDES MO0125261Recent violation
- Lakewood Mobile Home Park WwtfKnob Noster · 1 mi away · NPDES MO0094277Recent violation
- Knob Noster Valley Hill WwtfKnob Noster · 1.9 mi away · NPDES MO0054496Recent violation
- Whiteman EstatesKnob Noster · 2.2 mi away · NPDES MO0107298Recent violation
- Knob Noster Trailer Park WwtfKnob Noster · 2.7 mi away · NPDES MO0080918Recent 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
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2024-08-27
Monitoring stations: 2