Lake Vesuvius is a 143-acre mesotrophic lake in Lawrence County, Ohio. Water quality is graded C based on 1 sampling years through 2023. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Ohio DNR, last sampled 2023-10-31. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Moderate clarity, visible to about 8.2 ft. Trophic State Index: 47.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 8.2 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 47 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 143 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near Lake Vesuvius
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Fishing Lake Vesuvius
Recreation & Access
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 1 lakes in Lawrence County
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More records, surveys & data sources
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Lake Vesuvius is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Vesuvius Dam, built primarily for water supply on the STORMS CREEK; earth-type dam, 51 ft tall and 425 ft long.
- Surface area
- 143 ac
- Normal storage
- 1,300 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 2,624 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 11 sq mi
- Hazard class
- High
- Owner
- USDA FS
All listed purposes: Water Supply;Fish and Wildlife Pond;Recreation.
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID OH82424 · Operator website
EPA Impairment Status
Lake Vesuvius is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit OH050901030104 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (2.97 km)
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
3 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Lake Vesuvius under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 2 facilities have a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- New Rock Hill Ems Station #6Ironton · 2 mi away · NPDES OH0149128Recent violation
- Rock Hill Local School DistrictIronton · 2.3 mi away · NPDES OH0127761Recent violation
- Ironton Ranger Dist OfficeEllisonville · 1.7 mi away · NPDES OH0108049
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
Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Most recent sample: 2023-10-31
Monitoring stations: 1