Manito Lake by Dam is a 77-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Moniteau County, Missouri. Water quality is graded D based on 3 sampling years through 2024. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 1 other monitored lakes in Moniteau County, Manito Lake by Dam ranks #1 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Missouri DNR, last sampled 2024-07-15. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Manito Lake by Dam water quality
Subscribe for LakeQuality updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Swimming Safety
Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk
Water Quality Grade: D, Poor
Very murky, less than 2.5 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 62 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 25.5 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 63.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 2.5 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | 62 µg/L | D |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 25.5 µg/L | D |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 63 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 77 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near Manito Lake by Dam
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Manito Lake by Dam in Moniteau 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.
Top-rated places to stay near Manito Lake by Dam
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a trip to Manito Lake by Dam?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Manito Lake by Dam — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Missouri’s top lakes →
Fishing Manito Lake by Dam
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | → Stable | +0.007 m/yr | 4 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -4.53 µg/L/yr | 5 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -0.78 µg/L/yr | 5 |
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Manito Lake by Dam averages about 83°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 87°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 59 field readings (2010–2024) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Manito Lake by Dam water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 2 lakes in Moniteau County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Manito Lake by Dam holds Grade D. 2 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- BCrystal-Morgan LakeMorgan County · 15.6 mi · Two grade letters higher (D → B)
- CLoto LakeMorgan County · 20.2 mi · Higher grade (D → C)
Nearby Lakes in Moniteau County
Explore Manito Lake by Dam across LakeGrade
More Missouri Lake Rankings
Other Grade D Lakes in Missouri
More records, surveys & data sources
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Manito Lake by Dam is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Manito Dam (completed 1984), built primarily for recreation on the LITTLE RICHLAND CREEK; earth-type dam, 43 ft tall and 2,200 ft long.
- Surface area
- 77 ac
- Normal storage
- 918 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 918 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 2.31 sq mi
- Hazard class
- High
- Owner
- MO DEPT OF CONSERVATION
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID MO31853 · Operator website · Matched by proximity (0.08 km)
EPA Impairment Status
Manito Lake by Dam is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2022 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MO_7198.00 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (0.42 km)
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
2 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Manito Lake by Dam under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 2 facilities have a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Fortuna WwtfFortuna · 2.1 mi away · NPDES MO0131539Recent violation
- Tipton WwtpTipton · 3.5 mi away · NPDES MO0094188Recent 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
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
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: 2024-07-15
Monitoring stations: 1