Prairie Lee Lake Nr. Dam is a 300-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Jackson County, Missouri. Water quality is graded D based on 3 sampling years through 2024. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 2 public boat landings. Compared to the 26 other monitored lakes in Jackson County, Prairie Lee Lake Nr. Dam ranks #6 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Missouri DNR, last sampled 2024-09-20. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Prairie Lee Lake Nr. Dam water quality
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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 3 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 43 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 18.5 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 60.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 3 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | 43 µg/L | C |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 18.5 µg/L | C |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 60 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 300 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near Prairie Lee Lake Nr. Dam
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Fishing Prairie Lee Lake Nr. Dam
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.025 m/yr | 3 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +3.1 µg/L/yr | 3 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↓ Declining | +2 µg/L/yr | 3 |
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Prairie Lee Lake Nr. Dam averages about 85°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 86°F) and coldest in Apr (about 64°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 34 field readings (2010–2024) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Prairie Lee Lake Nr. Dam water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #6 of 27 lakes in Jackson County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Prairie Lee Lake Nr. Dam holds Grade D. 2 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- CJacomo LakeJackson County · 3.5 mi · Higher grade (D → C)
- CLotawana Lk. LakeJackson County · 4.4 mi · Higher grade (D → C)
Nearby Lakes in Jackson County
Explore Prairie Lee Lake Nr. Dam across LakeGrade
More Missouri Lake Rankings
Other Grade D Lakes in Missouri
Eutrophic Lakes in Missouri
More records, surveys & data sources
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Prairie Lee Lake Nr. Dam is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Prairie Lee Lake Dam (completed 1939), built primarily for recreation on the EAST FORK LITTLE BLUE RIVER; earth-type dam, 69 ft tall and 980 ft long.
- Surface area
- 300 ac
- Normal storage
- 2,500 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 6,000 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 15 sq mi
- Hazard class
- High
- Owner
- JACKSON COPARKS & REC
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID MO10044 · Operator website · Matched by proximity (0.09 km)
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
3 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Prairie Lee Lake Nr. Dam under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 3 facilities have a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Lake Jacomo Campground WwtpLee'S Summit · 0.4 mi away · NPDES MO0128830Recent violation
- Rotary Youth Camp WwtfLee'S Summit · 0.6 mi away · NPDES MO0118346Recent violation
- Lee'S Summit Municipal AirportLee'S Summit · 3 mi away · NPDES MO0138941Recent 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)
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: 2024-09-20
Monitoring stations: 1