Little River Reservoir is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Durham County, North Carolina. Water quality is graded D based on 3 sampling years through 2024. Compared to the 1 other monitored lakes in Durham County, Little River Reservoir ranks #1 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, North Carolina DNR, last sampled 2024-02-21. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk
Water Quality Grade: D, Poor
Very murky, less than 3 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 40 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 24 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 60.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 3 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | 40 µg/L | C |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 24 µg/L | D |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 60 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
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Fishing Little River Reservoir
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 2 lakes in Durham County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Little River Reservoir holds Grade D. 3 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- BLake ButnerGranville County · 7 mi · Two grade letters higher (D → B)
- BLake Ben JohnsonOrange County · 14.7 mi · Two grade letters higher (D → B)
- CCorporation LakeOrange County · 15.1 mi · Higher grade (D → C)
Nearby Lakes in Durham County
Explore Little River Reservoir across LakeGrade
More North Carolina Lake Rankings
Top 25 by overall water quality score
Top 25 by Secchi water clarity
Grade A/B + low algae filter
Panfish-rich, public access
Full state directory
Other Grade D Lakes in North Carolina
Eutrophic Lakes in North Carolina
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: 2024-02-21
Monitoring stations: 4