Stockton Lake by Dam is a 24,900-acre mesotrophic lake in Cedar County, Missouri. Water quality is graded B based on 3 sampling years through 2024. Phosphorus level is declining over recent sampling years. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 3 public boat landings. Compared to the 3 other monitored lakes in Cedar County, Stockton Lake by Dam ranks #2 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Missouri DNR, last sampled 2024-09-17. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Moderate clarity, visible to about 7.9 ft. Phosphorus level: 11 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 4.7 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 44.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 7.9 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | 11 µg/L | A |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 4.7 µg/L | A |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 44 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 24,900 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near Stockton Lake by Dam
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Fishing Stockton Lake by Dam
Invasive & Introduced Species
Red chips are ecologically harmful invasive species. Gray chips are stocked or introduced fish that aren't a current ecological concern.
Source: USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) Database. Hover a chip to see scientific name, ecological context, status, and first-observed year.
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | → Stable | -0.032 m/yr | 5 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +0.41 µg/L/yr | 5 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -0.35 µg/L/yr | 5 |
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Stockton Lake by Dam averages about 83°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 85°F) and coldest in Apr (about 59°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 122 field readings (2010–2024) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Stockton Lake by Dam water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #2 of 4 lakes in Cedar County
Nearby Lakes in Cedar County
Explore Stockton Lake by Dam across LakeGrade
More Missouri Lake Rankings
Other Grade B Lakes in Missouri
Greene County · Clarity: 7.2 ft
Greene County · Clarity: 4.2 ft
Stone County · Clarity: 4.4 ft
Stone County · Clarity: 4.3 ft
Johnson County · Clarity: 5.6 ft
Stone County · Clarity: 4.9 ft
Mesotrophic Lakes in Missouri
Compare Stockton Lake by Dam With Nearby Lakes
More records, surveys & data sources
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Stockton Lake by Dam is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Stockton Dam (completed 1969), built primarily for flood risk reduction on the SAC RIVER; rockfill-type dam, 153 ft tall and 6,100 ft long.
- Surface area
- 24,900 ac
- Normal storage
- 892,000 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 1,674,000 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 1,160 sq mi
- Hazard class
- High
- Owner
- USACE - Kansas City District
All listed purposes: Flood Risk Reduction;Other;Irrigation;Navigation;Fish and Wildlife Pond;Recreation;Hydroelectric;Water Supply.
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID MO30200 · Operator website · Matched by proximity (0.62 km)
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
2 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Stockton Lake by Dam under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 2 facilities have a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Calypso Cove Rv Park WwtfStockton · 1.4 mi away · NPDES MO0112810Recent violation
- Usace Orleans Trail WwtfStockton · 1.8 mi away · NPDES MO0030287Recent 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: 2024-09-17
Monitoring stations: 1