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LakeQuality

Most well-managed working lakes register as mesotrophic — the band that balances productivity with clarity. 8 lakes in Nebraska 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
1Lake C W McconaughyKeithA7.2 ft-54
2Sherman ReservoirShermanA2.4 ft-60
3Davis Creek ReservoirGreeleyA3.9 ft-51
4Lake Carter P JohnsonSiouxA8.3 ft-45
5Lake MinatareScotts BluffA5.5 ft-51
6Hershey LakeLincolnA13.6 ft-46
7Hugh Butler LakeFrontierA2.8 ft-59
8Box Butte ReservoirDawesC5.6 ft-53

Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.