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LakeQuality

Most well-managed working lakes register as mesotrophic — the band that balances productivity with clarity. 8 lakes in Kansas sit in the mesotrophic band. About 0% are deep (50+ ft); the rest are shallower basins where watershed management keeps nutrients from pushing the system into eutrophy.

Mesotrophic lakes tend to grade B or C on our A–F scale — the productive-but-clear band lines up with the middle of the letter grades.

#LakeCountyGradeClarityDepthTSI
1Wilson LakeRussellA8.7 ft-45
2Douglas Co State Fishing LakeDouglasA9.5 ft-47
3Pottawatomie State Fishing LakePottawatomieA7.6 ft-47
4Pottawatomie State Fishing LakePottawatomieA8.3 ft-44
5Osage Co State Fishing LakeOsageA6.2 ft-49
6Melvern LakeOsageA4.8 ft-50
7Cedar Creek ReservoirBourbonA8.2 ft-48
8Yates Center ReservoirWoodsonA1.6 ft-59

Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.