Loto Lake is a 7-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Morgan County, Missouri. Water quality is graded D based on 3 sampling years through 2022. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 2 public boat landings. Compared to the 37 other monitored lakes in Morgan County, Loto Lake ranks #35 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Missouri DNR, last sampled 2022-09-01. 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 1.3 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 61.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 18.6 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 65.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 1.3 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | 61.5 µg/L | D |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 18.6 µg/L | C |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 65 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 7 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near Loto Lake
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Fishing Loto Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.055 m/yr | 3 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -3.9 µg/L/yr | 3 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -1.15 µg/L/yr | 3 |
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Loto Lake averages about 81°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Aug (about 83°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 60 field readings (2010–2022) via the EPA Water Quality Portal.
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #35 of 38 lakes in Morgan County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Loto Lake holds Grade D. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Morgan 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 D Lakes in Missouri
Eutrophic Lakes in Missouri
More records, surveys & data sources
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Loto Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Mononame 741 (completed 1972), built primarily for recreation on the TR LAKE OF THE OZARKS; earth-type dam, 20 ft tall.
- Surface area
- 7 ac
- Normal storage
- 33 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 75 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 121 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Low
- Owner
- UNKNOWN
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID MO30230 · Operator website · Matched by proximity (0.61 km)
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
6 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Loto Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 2 facilities have a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Stoney Point On Rainey Creek WwtfClimax Springs · 1.1 mi away · NPDES MO0133914Recent violation
- Phillips-Moore WwtfEdwards · 1.3 mi away · NPDES MO0137995Recent violation
- Evening Shade SubdivisionClimax Springs · 1.4 mi away · NPDES MO0126578
- Emerald HillsClimax Springs · 2.2 mi away · NPDES MO0123315
- Pebble Creek SubdivisionEdwards · 3.4 mi away · NPDES MO0128031
- Mavon, Walkers CrnrgrocEdwards · 4.3 mi away · NPDES MO0114057
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
Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Most recent sample: 2022-09-01
Monitoring stations: 1