Lake of the Ozarks
A serpentine 54,000-acre reservoir created in 1931 when Bagnell Dam impounded the Osage River, with more than 1,100 miles of shoreline winding through the northern Ozarks. One of the largest man-made lakes in the Midwest, it supports a year-round boating and resort economy around Osage Beach and Camdenton, alongside karst springs and sinkholes at Ha Ha Tonka State Park.
| Lake | County | Clarity | Depth | Fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal-Morgan Lake | Morgan | 6.2 ft | - | 0 |
| Loto Upstream of Dam Lake | Miller | 6.7 ft | - | 0 |
| W Arm Loto Lake | Camden | 2.7 ft | - | 0 |
| H S Truman Reservoir | Benton | 3.8 ft | - | 0 |
| Loto Ha Ha Tonka Branch Mouth Lake | Camden | 3 ft | - | 0 |
| Loto Morrow Hollow Mouth Lake | Camden | 2.3 ft | - | 0 |
| Loto Confluence of Gravois And Indian Creek Lake | Morgan | 7.5 ft | - | 0 |
| Racetrack Hollow @ Hwy. D Lake | Camden | - | - | 0 |
Ways to pick a Lake of the Ozarks lake
Cleanest water
- Crystal-Morgan Lake — 6.2 ft clarity
- Loto Upstream of Dam Lake — 6.7 ft clarity
- W Arm Loto Lake — 2.7 ft clarity
- H S Truman Reservoir — 3.8 ft clarity
Cleanest Lakes in Lake of the Ozarks
Morgan County · 6.2 ft clarity
Miller County · 6.7 ft clarity
Camden County · 2.7 ft clarity
Benton County · 3.8 ft clarity
Camden County · 3 ft clarity
Camden County · 2.3 ft clarity
Other Lake Regions
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Frequently Asked Questions
The Lake of the Ozarks area has 8 lakes with water-quality records from state and federal monitoring. 7 of them have a clarity reading and 0 have documented fish species.
Cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals around Lake of the Ozarks are on the map below with live availability. A lake with low nutrient and algae readings is the better swim and cabin pick when water quality is part of the trip.
The lakes with the lowest nutrient and algae readings lead the table above. Each lake page shows its own phosphorus, chlorophyll-a and clarity readings beside the EPA condition class; none of it is a same-day swim clearance.
Where to stay near Lake of the Ozarks
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Lake of the Ozarks — then explore the interactive map to find a place to stay close to the water.
Top-rated places to stay near Lake of the Ozarks
Prices for Oct 9–11, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.