Whiteside Lake is a 20-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Lincoln County, Missouri. Water quality is graded C based on 3 sampling years through 2024. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 1 other monitored lakes in Lincoln County, Whiteside Lake ranks #2 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Missouri DNR, last sampled 2024-05-03. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Very murky, less than 3.3 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 26 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 14.7 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 56.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 3.3 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | 26 µg/L | B |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 14.7 µg/L | C |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 56 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 20 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near Whiteside Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Whiteside Lake in Lincoln 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 Whiteside Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.67 m/yr | 2 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -15 µg/L/yr | 2 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -11.2 µg/L/yr | 2 |
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Whiteside Lake averages about 82°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 85°F) and coldest in Sep (about 71°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 20 field readings (2012–2024) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Whiteside Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #2 of 2 lakes in Lincoln County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Whiteside Lake holds Grade C. 5 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- BLincoln LakeLincoln County · 11.6 mi · Higher grade (C → B)
- BCastlenovo LakeWarren County · 28.1 mi · Higher grade (C → B)
- BWhippoorwill LakeWarren County · 28.2 mi · Higher grade (C → B)
- BInnsbrook Lake Nr. DamWarren County · 28 mi · Higher grade (C → B)
- CBowling Green LakePike County · 13.9 mi · Higher overall water quality score
Nearby Lakes in Lincoln County
Explore Whiteside Lake across LakeGrade
More Missouri Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in Missouri
Eutrophic Lakes in Missouri
More records, surveys & data sources
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Whiteside Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the White Lake Dam (completed 1980), built primarily for recreation on the MILL CREEK TRIBUTARY; earth-type dam, 40 ft tall and 1,000 ft long.
- Surface area
- 20 ac
- Normal storage
- 205 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 458 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 0.5 sq mi
- Hazard class
- High
- Owner
- MO DEPT OF CONSERVATION
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID MO12220 · Operator website · Matched by proximity (0.07 km)
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
2 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Whiteside Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 2 facilities have a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Silex WwtfSilex · 3.9 mi away · NPDES MO0108243Recent violation
- Eolia WwtfEolia · 4 mi away · NPDES MO0112470Recent 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)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Most recent sample: 2024-05-03
Monitoring stations: 1