Marceline Lake is a 65-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Linn County, Missouri. Water quality is graded F 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 3 other monitored lakes in Linn County, Marceline Lake ranks #4 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Missouri DNR, last sampled 2024-07-11. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Marceline Lake water quality
Subscribe for LakeQuality updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Swimming Safety
Avoid swimming, very poor water quality, potential algae toxins
Water Quality Grade: F, Very Poor
Very murky, less than 1.9 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 110.9 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 25.7 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 67.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 1.9 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | 110.9 µg/L | F |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 25.7 µg/L | D |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 67 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 65 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near Marceline Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Marceline Lake in Linn 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 Marceline Lake
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 Marceline Lake?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Marceline Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Missouri’s top lakes →
Fishing Marceline Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -2.35 µg/L/yr | 2 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -2.7 µg/L/yr | 2 |
Recreation & Access
Current Conditions
Latest reading Jul 6, 2026, 4:30 AM from USGS gauge 06902990. See live data ↗ — readings update every 15–60 minutes; this page refreshes on each build.
Water Temperature
Marceline Lake averages about 78°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Aug (about 81°F) and coldest in May (about 71°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 16 field readings (2010–2024) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Marceline Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #4 of 4 lakes in Linn County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Marceline Lake holds Grade F. 5 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- BLake Nehai TonkayeaChariton County · 9.2 mi · Two grade letters higher (F → B)
- BBrookfield LakeLinn County · 7.7 mi · Two grade letters higher (F → B)
- CJo Shelby LakeLinn County · 21.4 mi · Two grade letters higher (F → C)
- CMarceline City Lake New Nr. DamChariton County · 5.8 mi · Two grade letters higher (F → C)
- CThomas Hill Lake @ Hwy TMacon County · 17.1 mi · Two grade letters higher (F → C)
Nearby Lakes in Linn County
Explore Marceline Lake across LakeGrade
More Missouri Lake Rankings
Other Grade F Lakes in Missouri
Eutrophic Lakes in Missouri
More records, surveys & data sources
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Marceline Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Marceline City Reservoir Dam (completed 1928), built primarily for water supply on the CLARKS CREEK; earth-type dam, 24 ft tall.
- Surface area
- 65 ac
- Normal storage
- 975 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 975 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 1,950 sq mi
- Hazard class
- High
- Owner
- CITY OF MARCELINE,MO
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID MO10119 · Operator website · Matched by proximity (0.05 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 Marceline Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 4 facilities have a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Hutchison Salt-Bnsf RailyardMarceline · 2.2 mi away · NPDES MO0128309Recent violation
- Marceline WwtpMarceline · 2.7 mi away · NPDES MO0039721Recent violation
- Bucklin East WwtfBucklin · 3.9 mi away · NPDES MO0085928Recent violation
- Bucklin West WwtfBucklin · 4.3 mi away · NPDES MO0085910Recent violation
- Kings Processing And Catering LlcMarceline · 0.7 mi away · NPDES MONX00851
- Moore Fans, LlcMarceline · 2.1 mi away · NPDES MONX00152
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: 2024-07-11
Monitoring stations: 1