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LakeQuality
Pink and orange afterglow over the treeline on Slim Lake after sunset

Updated August 2026

The State of Kentucky's Lakes 2026

Of 108 lakes in Kentucky, 30.4% sit in EPA's favourable condition classes for nutrients and algae and 27.8% in its poorer ones. Lake Beshear is the cleanest; 69 lakes (63.9%) are on an official impaired-waters list.

Data Report

108
Monitored lakes sampled
C
Average readings
30.4%
low nutrient and algae readings
63.9%
On impaired list

Kentucky nutrient and algae readings

Cleanest lakes in Kentucky

Cleanest combined nutrient and algae readings, 2026.

  1. 1.Lake Beshear — Christian County30 µg/L P
  2. 2.Moffit Lake — Union County30 µg/L P
  3. 3.Pennyrile Lake — Christian County30 µg/L P
  4. 4.Cap Mauzy Lake — Union County30 µg/L P
  5. 5.Greenbo Lake — Greenup County30 µg/L P
  6. 6.Smoky Valley Lake — Carter County30 µg/L P
  7. 7.Corinth Lake — Grant County30 µg/L P
  8. 8.Panbowl Lake — Breathitt County30 µg/L P
  9. 9.Mill Creek Lake — Wolfe County30 µg/L P
  10. 10.Fishpond Lake — Letcher County30 µg/L P

Highest measured algae

Highest measured chlorophyll-a (algae) concentration.

No qualifying lakes with sufficient data.

Trending lakes

Improving

  1. 1.Grayson Lake — Carter County
  2. 2.Fishtrap Lake — Pike County
  3. 3.Freeman Lake — Hardin County
  4. 4.Paintsville Lake — Johnson County
  5. 5.Dewey Lake — Floyd County
  6. 6.Campbellsville City Reservoir — Taylor County
  7. 7.Herrington Lake — Boyle County
  8. 8.Paintsville Lake — Johnson County

Declining

  1. 1.Taylor Fork Lake — Madison County
  2. 2.Boltz Lake — Grant County
  3. 3.Bullock Pen Lake — Boone County
  4. 4.Lake Elmer Davis — Owen County
  5. 5.Lake Reba — Madison County
  6. 6.Lake Jericho — Henry County
  7. 7.Mill Creek Lake — Monroe County
  8. 8.Shelby Lake — Shelby County

Impaired waters in Kentucky

69 lakes appear on the EPA/state 303(d) impaired-waters list (69 formally listed, 1 with a cleanup plan/TMDL).

Nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen) · 58Oxygen depletion (low DO) · 19Mercury · 16PCBs · 3Noxious aquatic plants · 2Nuisance exotic species · 2

Explore Kentucky lakes

Lake Fishing Forecast

Species activity outlook by water temperature and season

Kentucky Lake Trips

Where to stay at Kentucky's top lakes, each with its readings

Readings combine total phosphorus, total nitrogen, chlorophyll-a, and turbidity from the EPA Water Quality Portal and state agencies. See the full methodology, the national State of America’s Lakes report, or all Kentucky lakes.

Cite this report: LakeQuality, “The State of Kentucky's Lakes 2026”.