Port Hudson Lake is a 55-acre mesotrophic lake in Franklin County, Missouri. Water quality is graded C based on 3 sampling years through 2022. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 4 other monitored lakes in Franklin County, Port Hudson Lake ranks #2 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Missouri DNR, last sampled 2022-08-18. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Port Hudson Lake water quality
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Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Murky, only visible to about 6.1 ft. Phosphorus level: 20.8 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 7.5 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 50.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 6.1 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | 20.8 µg/L | B |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 7.5 µg/L | B |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 50 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 55 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near Port Hudson Lake
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Fishing Port Hudson Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.19 m/yr | 3 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +1.35 µg/L/yr | 3 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -1.3 µg/L/yr | 3 |
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Port Hudson Lake averages about 85°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 86°F) and coldest in May (about 74°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 17 field readings (2019–2022) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Port Hudson Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #2 of 5 lakes in Franklin County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Port Hudson Lake holds Grade C. 2 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- BSeetal LakeGasconade County · 17.2 mi · Higher grade (C → B)
- BSherwood Lake Nr. DamWarren County · 20.1 mi · Higher grade (C → B)
Nearby Lakes in Franklin County
Explore Port Hudson Lake across LakeGrade
More Missouri Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in Missouri
Gasconade County · Clarity: 3.9 ft
Gasconade County · Clarity: 3.8 ft
Gasconade County · Clarity: 4 ft
Warren County · Clarity: 3.8 ft
Warren County · Clarity: 5.2 ft
Warren County · Clarity: 3.3 ft
Mesotrophic Lakes in Missouri
More records, surveys & data sources
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Port Hudson Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Port Hudson Lake Dam (completed 1992), built primarily for fish and wildlife pond on the CEDAR FORK; earth-type dam, 48 ft tall and 1,080 ft long.
- Surface area
- 55 ac
- Normal storage
- 663 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 663 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 1.63 sq mi
- Hazard class
- High
- Owner
- MO DEPT OF CONSERVATION
All listed purposes: Fish and Wildlife Pond;Recreation.
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID MO31981 · Operator website
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
1 EPA-permitted facility operate within about 5 miles of Port Hudson Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 1 facility has a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Leslie WwtpLeslie · 4.4 mi away · NPDES MO0127809Recent 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
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Most recent sample: 2022-08-18
Monitoring stations: 2