Lincoln Lake is a 48-acre mesotrophic lake in Lincoln County, Missouri. Water quality is graded B based on 3 sampling years through 2024. Water clarity is declining over recent sampling years. Compared to the 1 other monitored lakes in Lincoln County, Lincoln Lake ranks #1 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Missouri DNR, last sampled 2024-08-12. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Lincoln Lake water quality
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Swimming Safety
Based on E. coli testing, Lincoln Lake occasionally exceeded the EPA safe-swimming threshold (235 MPN/100mL) — on 9.1% of 264 samples across 8 seasons.
This is a historical summary of past testing, not a current condition — bacteria levels change quickly, especially after rain. Always check Missouri’s current beach and health-department advisories before swimming.
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Murky, only visible to about 5.7 ft. Phosphorus level: 12.7 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 3.7 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 45.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 5.7 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | 12.7 µg/L | A |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 3.7 µg/L | A |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 45 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 48 acres |
Where to stay near Lincoln Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Lincoln Lake in Lincoln 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 Lincoln Lake
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.056 m/yr | 5 |
| Phosphorus | → Stable | -0.02 µg/L/yr | 5 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -1.04 µg/L/yr | 5 |
Water Temperature
Lincoln Lake averages about 83°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 85°F) and coldest in May (about 73°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 76 field readings (2010–2024) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Lincoln Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 2 lakes in Lincoln County
Nearby Lakes in Lincoln County
Explore Lincoln Lake 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)
Lincoln Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Lake Lincoln Dam (completed 1965), built primarily for recreation on the DRY BRANCH SUGAR CREEK; earth-type dam, 69 ft tall and 535 ft long.
- Surface area
- 48 ac
- Normal storage
- 815 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 1,233 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 1.53 sq mi
- Hazard class
- High
- Owner
- MO. DNR PARKS
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID MO10215 · Operator website
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
21 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Lincoln Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits, including 2 classified by the EPA as major dischargers. 13 facilities have a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Troy Hwy 47 WwtpTroy · 2.6 mi away · NPDES MO0054623MajorRecent violation
- Troy Southeast WwtpTroy · 3.8 mi away · NPDES MO0131296MajorRecent violation
- Gsa Camp Tuckaho WwtpTroy · 2.5 mi away · NPDES MO0045497Recent violation
- Brussels Valley Estates WwtpTroy · 3 mi away · NPDES MO0130117Recent violation
- Circle Woods MhpFoley · 3.4 mi away · NPDES MO0119041Recent violation
- Lcpwsd No.1 To Bobs Creek WwtfWinfield · 3.5 mi away · NPDES MO0121886Recent 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
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2024-08-12
Monitoring stations: 2