Spring Fork Lake is a 128-acre highly nutrient-loaded hypereutrophic lake in Pettis County, Missouri. Water quality is graded F based on 3 sampling years through 2021. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Missouri DNR, last sampled 2021-05-02. 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 1.4 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 160 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 48.6 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 73.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 1.4 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | 160 µg/L | F |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 48.6 µg/L | F |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 73 | Hypereutrophic |
Very high nutrients, dense algae, poor clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 128 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near Spring Fork Lake
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Fishing Spring Fork Lake
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Spring Fork Lake averages about 84°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 86°F) and coldest in Apr (about 63°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 68 field readings (2010–2020) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Spring Fork Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 1 lakes in Pettis County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Spring Fork Lake holds Grade F. 5 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- BCrystal-Morgan LakeMorgan County · 19.9 mi · Two grade letters higher (F → B)
- BLake ButeoJohnson County · 22.3 mi · Two grade letters higher (F → B)
- CH.S. Truman Res. Nr. Dam LakeBenton County · 22.5 mi · Two grade letters higher (F → C)
- DLoto LakeMorgan County · 28.4 mi · Higher grade (F → D)
- DManito Lake by DamMoniteau County · 23.5 mi · Higher grade (F → D)
Nearby Lakes in Pettis County
Explore Spring Fork Lake across LakeGrade
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Very high nutrients, dense algae, poor clarity
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More records, surveys & data sources
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Spring Fork Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Spring Fork Lake Dam (completed 1925), built primarily for water supply on the CHEESE CK; earth-type dam, 43 ft tall and 1,600 ft long.
- Surface area
- 128 ac
- Normal storage
- 1,613 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 3,104 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 10.79 sq mi
- Hazard class
- High
- Owner
- CITY OF SEDALIA WATER DP
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID MO30152 · Operator website
EPA Impairment Status
Spring Fork Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2022 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 4A).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MO_7187.00 · Official waterbody report
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
1 EPA-permitted facility operate within about 5 miles of Spring Fork Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 1 facility has a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Meadowlark Mhp WwtfSedalia · 4.4 mi away · NPDES MO0106755Recent 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
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
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: 2021-05-02
Monitoring stations: 1