Valley Lake is a highly nutrient-loaded hypereutrophic lake in Jackson County, Missouri. Water quality is graded D based on 2 sampling years through 2024. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available. Compared to the 26 other monitored lakes in Jackson County, Valley Lake ranks #10 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Missouri DNR, last sampled 2024-09-05. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Valley Lake water quality
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Swimming Safety
Based on E. coli testing, Valley Lake frequently exceeded the EPA safe-swimming threshold (235 MPN/100mL) — on 20% of 10 samples across 4 seasons.
This is a historical summary of past testing, not a current condition — bacteria levels change quickly, especially after rain. Always check Missouri’s current beach and health-department advisories before swimming.
Water Quality Grade: D, Poor
No clarity data. Phosphorus level: 76.3 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 87.2 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 71.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | No data | |
| Phosphorus | 76.3 µg/L | D |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 87.2 µg/L | F |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 71 | Hypereutrophic |
Very high nutrients, dense algae, poor clarity
Where to stay near Valley Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Valley Lake in Jackson County, Missouri — live availability and prices for your trip. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water.
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Fishing Valley Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 4 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +22.1 µg/L/yr | 3 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↓ Declining | +6.96 µg/L/yr | 4 |
Water Temperature
Valley Lake averages about 78°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 81°F) and coldest in May (about 72°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 37 field readings (2010–2022) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Valley Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #10 of 27 lakes in Jackson County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Valley Lake holds Grade D. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Jackson County
Explore Valley Lake across LakeGrade
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Missouri's top lakes, each with its grade
Very high nutrients, dense algae, poor clarity
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Other Grade D Lakes in Missouri
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More records, surveys & data sources
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
1 EPA-permitted facility operate within about 5 miles of Valley Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits.
- Posty CardsKansas City · 1.2 mi away · NPDES MONX00275
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)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2024-09-05
Monitoring stations: 1