Mcleod Reservoir
Williams County, North Dakota38 acresView mapDirections
Nutrients and algae sit mid-range for this region.
- Eutrophic
- #4 of 6 in the county
- Public access
- Limited data
Mcleod Reservoir in Williams County, North Dakota has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 5.4 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 570.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 16.5 µg/L. Surface area: 38 acres.
- Clarity
- 5.4 ft
- Area
- 38 acres
- Type
- Eutrophic
- Phosphorus
- 570.5 µg/L
- Chlorophyll-a
- 16.5 µg/L
- Public access
- Yes
Stays via Stay22
Stays near Mcleod Reservoir
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Mcleod Reservoir in Williams County, North Dakota — 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 Mcleod Reservoir
Prices for Sep 11–13, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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 whole trip? See where to stay at North Dakota’s top lakes →
Watch Mcleod Reservoir’s letter
Email me if this lake’s grade moves. Grades stay free.
Or email
Mcleod Reservoir is a 38-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Williams County, North Dakota. Water quality is graded C based on 1 sampling years through 2024. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available. Compared to the 5 other monitored lakes in Williams County, Mcleod Reservoir ranks #4 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, NDDEQ, last sampled 2024-10-02. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
Swimming Safety
Grade onlyLimited data
Based on clarity and algae grades from past sampling — we do not hold live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
The C is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.
Water Quality Grade: C (Fair)
Murky, only visible to about 5.4 ft. Phosphorus 570.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 16.5 µg/L. TSI 69. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 5.4 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 570.5 µg/L | Not graded |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 16.5 µg/L | Not graded |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 69 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 38 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
No bathymetric survey has been published for Mcleod Reservoir, so its depth is not documented here.
Fishing Mcleod Reservoir
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Mcleod Reservoir is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Ray Railroad Dam (completed 1890), built primarily for recreation on the Beaver Creek; earth-type dam, 20 ft tall and 740 ft long.
- Surface area
- 38 ac
- Normal storage
- 0 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 1,103 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 11.5 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Low
- Owner
- City Of Ray
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID ND00230 · Operator website
County Ranking
Ranked #4 of 6 lakes in Williams County
Nearby Lakes in Williams County
Frequently asked questions about Mcleod Reservoir
Where is Mcleod Reservoir?
- Mcleod Reservoir is a lake in Williams County, North Dakota. LakeQuality grades it C for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for Mcleod Reservoir?
- Mcleod Reservoir in Williams County, North Dakota has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 5.4 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 570.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 16.5 µg/L. Surface area: 38 acres.
Is Mcleod Reservoir safe to swim in?
- The C is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.
Explore Mcleod Reservoir across LakeQuality
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at North Dakota's top lakes, each with its grade
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
North Dakota's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More North Dakota Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in North Dakota
Eutrophic Lakes in North Dakota
Where this data comes from
20 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2024. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- North Dakota Department Of Environmental Quality
21NDHDWQ_WQX20 samples · 2024
Analytical methods
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
- 447.0 ~ EPA; Chlorophyll a and b in phytoplankton by HPLC/UV
- 4500 NO3 E ~ Nitrate in Water- Cadmium Reduction
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
Grade thresholds from the EPA National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See how grades are calculated and data sources.
Other records on this page
Depth, fish, and access data from North Dakota Game & Fish