USLakeFront Lake survey & intelligence
Directory

29 lakes

Filter by water quality, level stability, size, and region. Every lake carries a scored profile and, where a gauge exists, live readings.

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Water ABCD What do these grades mean?
Water quality grade
Water A
ExcellentClear, low-nutrient water. Typically oligotrophic with high clarity and little seasonal algae.
Water B
GoodHealthy water with moderate clarity. Some seasonal variation, no persistent problems.
Water C
FairProductive water — good fishing, reduced clarity. Algae possible in late summer.
Water D
PoorNutrient-rich or heavily drawn down. Swimmable conditions vary; check before you rely on them.

Computed from measured clarity, trophic state, and drawdown magnitude — not an opinion. See the formula.

Overall score, 1–10
8.0+
ExceptionalStrong on every axis we measure.
7.0–7.9
StrongClearly above average, usually with one standout axis.
6.0–6.9
SolidA good lake with a trade-off worth understanding.
5.0–5.9
MixedReal strengths and real compromises.
Under 5
CompromisedSomething material — volatility, water quality, or access.

Weighted: water 26% · recreation 22% · investment 20% · value 18% · access 14%.

29 lakes · page 1 of 2
20180504-Monte Ne.jpg Water B

Beaver Lake

Arkansas · 28,000 acres
228 ft deep · 18 ft clarity
7.3
Managed 483 mi shore Reservoir
$700,000 median est. +5.9%
Bird's Underwater - panoramio.jpg Water A

Crystal River

Florida · 1,200 acres
15 ft deep · 30 ft clarity
7.2
Stable 8 mi shore Spring-fed
$690,000 median est. +4.5%
End of Arkansas Highway 25S at Old Highway 25 Recreation Area.jpg Water B

Greers Ferry Lake

Arkansas · 31,500 acres
180 ft deep · 20 ft clarity
7.1
Managed 276 mi shore Reservoir
$795,000 median est. +7.7%
Governors Island, Lake Norman, NC.jpg Water C

Lake Norman

North Carolina · 32,475 acres
130 ft deep · 8 ft clarity
6.9
Stable 520 mi shore Reservoir
$675,000 median est. +2.0%
2016-07-31 15 39 07 View of Lake James in Burke and McDowell counties, North Carolina from a plane traveling from Washington Dulles International Airport to Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport.jpg Water B

Lake James

North Carolina · 6,510 acres
120 ft deep · 15 ft clarity
6.9
Managed 150 mi shore Reservoir
$655,000 median est. +5.4%
Horned Grebe (23795537984).jpg Water A

Lake Keowee

South Carolina · 18,500 acres
300 ft deep · 25 ft clarity
6.7
Managed 388 mi shore Reservoir
$955,000 median est. -2.6%
Water C

Lake Martin

Alabama · 44,000 acres
155 ft deep · 12 ft clarity
6.6
Managed 750 mi shore Reservoir
$420,000 median est. +1.2%
Water B

Smith Lake

Alabama · 21,200 acres
264 ft deep · 20 ft clarity
6.6
Managed 500 mi shore Reservoir
$505,000 median est. -3.0%
Water B

Lake Ouachita

Arkansas · 40,000 acres
200 ft deep · 25 ft clarity
6.4
Managed 975 mi shore Reservoir
$955,000 median est. +0.7%
Water C

Smith Mountain Lake

Virginia · 20,600 acres
250 ft deep · 12 ft clarity
6.4
Stable 500 mi shore Reservoir
$290,000 median est. -1.4%
Lake Guntersville, Alabama.jpg Water D

Lake Guntersville

Alabama · 69,000 acres
60 ft deep · 6 ft clarity
6.3
Stable 890 mi shore Reservoir
$485,000 median est. +9.0%
Water C

Lake Hartwell

South Carolina · 56,000 acres
185 ft deep · 10 ft clarity
6.3
Managed 962 mi shore Reservoir
$500,000 median est. +11.6%
Cowles Mountain over Lake Murray in San Diego 2009.jpg Water C

Lake Murray

South Carolina · 50,000 acres
200 ft deep · 10 ft clarity
6.1
Managed 649 mi shore Reservoir
$585,000 median est. +0.3%
Blue Mud Boat Launch - Union County, Tennessee - May 17, 2014.jpg Water B

Norris Lake

Tennessee · 33,840 acres
200 ft deep · 20 ft clarity
6.1
Managed 809 mi shore Reservoir
$855,000 median est. -1.9%
140508-A-PP104-066 (14043424830).jpg Water C

Lake Lanier

Georgia · 38,000 acres
160 ft deep · 12 ft clarity
6.0
Managed 692 mi shore Reservoir
$660,000 median est. -1.9%
Great Waters at Reynolds Lake Oconee - Oct 2019.jpg Water D

Lake Oconee

Georgia · 19,000 acres
60 ft deep · 6 ft clarity
6.0
Stable 374 mi shore Reservoir
$480,000 median est. +2.5%
Kentucky Lake (Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area).jpg Water D

Kentucky Lake

Kentucky · 160,300 acres
75 ft deep · 6 ft clarity
6.0
Managed 2,064 mi shore Reservoir
$365,000 median est. +10.4%
Water C

Lake Anna

Virginia · 13,000 acres
80 ft deep · 8 ft clarity
6.0
Stable 272 mi shore Reservoir
$390,000 median est. +1.5%
Water B

Summersville Lake

West Virginia · 2,790 acres
327 ft deep · 30 ft clarity
6.0
Volatile 60 mi shore Reservoir
$680,000 median est. +2.0%
Water B

Lake Burton

Georgia · 2,775 acres
110 ft deep · 15 ft clarity
5.9
Managed 62 mi shore Reservoir
$555,000 median est. +6.3%
Douglas Lake - Sevier County, Tennessee.jpg Water D

Douglas Lake

Tennessee · 30,400 acres
140 ft deep · 8 ft clarity
5.9
Volatile 555 mi shore Reservoir
$625,000 median est. +7.9%
Water B

Center Hill Lake

Tennessee · 18,220 acres
190 ft deep · 18 ft clarity
5.9
Managed 415 mi shore Reservoir
$715,000 median est. +2.3%
STS112-E-5574 - View of Louisiana.jpg Water D

Toledo Bend

Louisiana · 185,000 acres
110 ft deep · 5 ft clarity
5.8
Managed 1,200 mi shore Reservoir
$315,000 median est. +7.9%
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All 29 matching lakes plotted. Circle size reflects surface area; color reflects overall score. Click a lake to open its report.