Loto Lake is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Miller County, Missouri. Water quality is graded C based on 3 sampling years through 2024. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. Compared to the 7 other monitored lakes in Miller County, Loto Lake ranks #5 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Missouri DNR, last sampled 2024-09-17. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Murky, only visible to about 5.6 ft. Phosphorus level: 29.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 10.6 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 53.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 5.6 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | 29.5 µg/L | B |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 10.6 µg/L | C |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 53 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Loto Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Loto Lake in Miller 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 Loto Lake
Invasive & Introduced Species
Red chips are ecologically harmful invasive species. Gray chips are stocked or introduced fish that aren't a current ecological concern.
Source: USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) Database. Hover a chip to see scientific name, ecological context, status, and first-observed year.
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.09 m/yr | 5 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -0.76 µg/L/yr | 5 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↓ Declining | +1.22 µg/L/yr | 5 |
Water Temperature
Loto Lake averages about 83°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 86°F) and coldest in Apr (about 59°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 100 field readings (2010–2024) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Loto Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #5 of 8 lakes in Miller County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Loto Lake holds Grade C. 2 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- BLoto LakeCamden County · 0.5 mi · Higher grade (C → B)
- BLoto LakeCamden County · 0.8 mi · Higher grade (C → B)
Nearby Lakes in Miller County
Explore Loto Lake across LakeGrade
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Top lakes and where to stay in the Lake of the Ozarks area
Where to stay at Missouri's top lakes, each with its grade
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Missouri's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More Missouri Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in Missouri
More records, surveys & data sources
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2024-09-17
Monitoring stations: 1