Rocky Fork Lake is a 55-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Boone County, Missouri. Water quality is graded F based on 3 sampling years through 2023. 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 11 other monitored lakes in Boone County, Rocky Fork Lake ranks #9 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Missouri DNR, last sampled 2023-08-30. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Avoid swimming, very poor water quality, potential algae toxins
Water Quality Grade: F, Very Poor
Very murky, less than 2.3 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 73.8 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 38.1 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 66.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 2.3 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | 73.8 µg/L | D |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 38.1 µg/L | F |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 66 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 55 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near Rocky Fork Lake
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Fishing Rocky Fork Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 4 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.106 m/yr | 3 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +5.49 µg/L/yr | 3 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↓ Declining | +5.9 µg/L/yr | 4 |
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Rocky Fork Lake averages about 81°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 84°F) and coldest in May (about 75°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 18 field readings (2013–2023) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Rocky Fork Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #9 of 12 lakes in Boone County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Rocky Fork Lake holds Grade F. 5 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- BFinger LakesBoone County · 0.9 mi · Two grade letters higher (F → B)
- BLake of the WoodsBoone County · 8.3 mi · Two grade letters higher (F → B)
- CQuarry Heights LakeBoone County · 9.5 mi · Two grade letters higher (F → C)
- CBethel LakeBoone County · 12.2 mi · Two grade letters higher (F → C)
- CPhillips LakeBoone County · 12.5 mi · Two grade letters higher (F → C)
Nearby Lakes in Boone County
Explore Rocky Fork 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)
Rocky Fork Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Rocky Fork Creek Dam (completed 1965), built primarily for other on the ROCKY FORK CREEK; earth-type dam, 15 ft tall.
- Surface area
- 55 ac
- Normal storage
- 275 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 441 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 55 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Low
- Owner
- MO DEPT OF CONSERVATION
All listed purposes: Other;Recreation.
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID MO10844 · Operator website · Matched by proximity (0.13 km)
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
34 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Rocky Fork Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 17 facilities have a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Bcrsd Kinkade Crossing WwtpColumbia · 2.1 mi away · NPDES MO0133515Recent violation
- Bcrsd Richardson Acres WwtfHallsville · 2.7 mi away · NPDES MO0115185Recent violation
- Hillcrest Residential Care WwtpColumbia · 2.8 mi away · NPDES MO0118303Recent violation
- Wagon Wheel Mhc WwtfColumbia · 2.9 mi away · NPDES MO0120286Recent violation
- Bcrsd, County Downes WwtfColumbia · 3.2 mi away · NPDES MO0096938Recent violation
- Bcrsd Brown Station WwtpColumbia · 3.2 mi away · NPDES MO0135305Recent 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: 2023-08-30
Monitoring stations: 1