Lake Houston is a highly nutrient-loaded hypereutrophic lake in Harris County, Texas. Water quality is graded D based on 2 sampling years through 2025. Compared to the 4 other monitored lakes in Harris County, Lake Houston ranks #3 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Texas DNR, last sampled 2025-11-05. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Lake Houston water quality
Subscribe for LakeQuality updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Swimming Safety
Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk
Water Quality Grade: D, Poor
Very murky, less than 1.6 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 182 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 37.7 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 72.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 1.6 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | 182 µg/L | F |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 37.7 µg/L | D |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 72 | Hypereutrophic |
Very high nutrients, dense algae, poor clarity
Where to stay near Lake Houston
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Lake Houston in Harris County, Texas — 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 Lake Houston
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 trip to Lake Houston?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Lake Houston — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Fishing Lake Houston
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #3 of 5 lakes in Harris County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Lake Houston holds Grade D. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Harris County
Explore Lake Houston across LakeGrade
More Texas Lake Rankings
Other Grade D Lakes in Texas
Montgomery County · Clarity: 2.2 ft
Jefferson County · Clarity: 1.3 ft
Washington County · Clarity: 1.9 ft
Burleson County · Clarity: 1.8 ft
Angelina County · Clarity: 1.6 ft
Nacogdoches County · Clarity: 0.8 ft
Hypereutrophic Lakes in Texas
More records, surveys & data sources
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2025-11-05
Monitoring stations: 2