Lava Lake
Deschutes County, OregonView mapDirections
Nutrients and algae run above the regional average.
↓ down from A at the last regrade
- Eutrophic
- #6 of 12 in the county
- Public access
- Limited data
Lava Lake in Deschutes County, Oregon has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Water clarity: 17.6 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 35 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 7.5 µg/L.
- Clarity
- 17.6 ft
- Type
- Eutrophic
- Phosphorus
- 35 µg/L
- Chlorophyll-a
- 7.5 µg/L
- Trend
- ↑ Improving
- Public access
- Yes
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Stays near Lava Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Lava Lake in Deschutes County, Oregon — 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. The water-quality grade measures nutrients and algae, not lodging — cabins and rentals around Lava Lake are listed below.
Top-rated places to stay near Lava Lake
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Watch Lava Lake’s letter
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Lava Lake is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Deschutes County, Oregon. Water quality is graded D based on 2 sampling years through 2024. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available. Compared to the 11 other monitored lakes in Deschutes County, Lava Lake ranks #6 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Oregon DEQ, last sampled 2024-09-12. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
What Lava Lake is good for
From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.
- Clear water17.6 ft of visibility
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 D is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.
Water Quality Grade: D (Nutrient-rich)
Crystal clear, you can see 17.6 ft down. Phosphorus 35 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 7.5 µg/L. TSI 47. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 17.6 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 35 µg/L | Fair |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 7.5 µg/L | Poor |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 47 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Fishing Lava Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 4 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -27 µg/L/yr | 4 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -11.67 µg/L/yr | 4 |
County Ranking
Ranked #6 of 12 lakes in Deschutes County
Nearby Lakes in Deschutes County
Frequently asked questions about Lava Lake
Where is Lava Lake?
- Lava Lake is a lake in Deschutes County, Oregon. LakeQuality grades it D for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for Lava Lake?
- Lava Lake in Deschutes County, Oregon has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Water clarity: 17.6 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 35 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 7.5 µg/L.
Is Lava Lake safe to swim in?
- The D is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.
Explore Lava Lake across LakeQuality
2 documented falls within 18 mi, nearest Tumalo Falls
2 thermal springs within 23 mi, nearest Foley Springs
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Oregon's top lakes, each with its grade
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Oregon's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More Oregon Lake Rankings
Other Grade D Lakes in Oregon
Douglas County · Nutrient-rich
Jefferson County · Nutrient-rich
Jefferson County · Nutrient-rich
Jefferson County · 4.6 ft
Jefferson County · 5.6 ft
Jefferson County · Nutrient-rich
Eutrophic Lakes in Oregon
Where this data comes from
24 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2024. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Department of Environmental Quality - State of Oregon
OREGONDEQ24 samples · 2024
Analytical methods
- 2012 National Lakes Assessment Field Operations Manual
- 4500 P E ~ Phosphorus in Water by Colorimetry- Ascorbic Acid Method
- 10200 H ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination
- 2130 B ~ Nephelometric Method
- Standard Test Method for Determination of Turbidity Above 1 Turbidity Unit (TU) in Static Mode
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.