Where is Speights Run?

Speights Run is a lake in Suffolk city County, Virginia. LakeQuality grades it C for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.

Speights Run

Suffolk city County, Virginia197 acresView map Directions

Fair

Nutrients and algae sit mid-range for this region.

Water temp

No gauge

Clarity

3.1 ft

Secchi · sampled 2024

Level

No gauge

Trend

Stable

6 years of samples

Eutrophic
Impaired · Algal growth
#10 of 14 in the county

See the measurements Directions Where to stay

Speights Run in Suffolk city County, Virginia has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 3.1 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 40 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 25.8 µg/L. Surface area: 197 acres.

Clarity: 3.1 ft
Area: 197 acres
Type: Eutrophic
Phosphorus: 40 µg/L
Chlorophyll-a: 25.8 µg/L
Trend: → Stable

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Speights Run is a 197-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Suffolk city County, Virginia. Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2024. Compared to the 13 other monitored lakes in Suffolk city County, Speights Run ranks #10 for water quality.

Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Virginia DEQ, last sampled 2024-10-29. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.

Swimming Safety

Grade only

Algae risk

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. Speights Run is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for algal growth, oxygen depletion (low DO). Check local advisories before you swim.

Get alerts for Speights Run →

Water Quality Grade: C (Fair)

Very murky, less than 3.1 ft of visibility. Phosphorus 40 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 25.8 µg/L. TSI 60. The letter is not a swimming clearance.

Metric	Value	Grade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)	3.1 ft	Not graded
Phosphorus	40 µg/L	Good
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)	25.8 µg/L	Fair
Trophic State Index (TSI)	60	Eutrophic

High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity

Lake Details

Characteristic	Value
Surface Area	197 acres

No bathymetric survey has been published for Speights Run, so its depth is not documented here.

Fishing Speights Run

→ Speights Run fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)

Water Quality Trend: → Stable

Based on 6 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).

Metric	Trend	Change/Year	Years
Water Clarity	→ Stable	-0.001 m/yr	6
Phosphorus	→ Stable	-0.92 µg/L/yr	6
Chlorophyll-a	→ Stable	-0.37 µg/L/yr	6

See year-by-year chart →

Reservoir Info (USACE NID)

Speights Run is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Speights Run Dam, built primarily for water supply on the Speights Run - VAHU6 JL 44 Lake Kelby - Speights Run; earth-type dam, 26 ft tall and 1,800 ft long.

Surface area: 197 ac
Normal storage: 875 ac-ft
Max storage: 3,900 ac-ft
Drainage area: 12.91 sq mi
Hazard class: High
Owner: City of Portsmouth

Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID VA800010 · Operator website · Matched by proximity (0.1 km)

EPA Impairment Status

Speights Run is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2022 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).

Causes of impairment

Algal growthOxygen depletion (low DO)

Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit VAT-G12L_SPE01A06 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (1.31 km)

County Ranking

Ranked #10 of 14 lakes in Suffolk city County

Nearby Lakes in Suffolk city County

CStation Lake3.6 ft clear · Eutrophic2.2 miView →NRLake Kilby—View →NRLake Cohoon—View →NRRountree South Pond—View →NRCedar Lake—View →NRFerry Point Pond—View →

Frequently asked questions about Speights Run

Where is Speights Run?: Speights Run is a lake in Suffolk city County, Virginia. LakeQuality grades it C for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for Speights Run?: Speights Run in Suffolk city County, Virginia has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 3.1 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 40 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 25.8 µg/L. Surface area: 197 acres.
Is Speights Run safe to swim in?: The C is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Speights Run is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for algal growth, oxygen depletion (low DO). Check local advisories before you swim.

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