What is the Cleanest Lake for Swimming in Missouri? It Depends

Everyone has their own preferences for the type of lake they'd like to swim in, but most would probably agree that cleanliness is at the top of the list for any destination. There's an ongoing online conversation happening about the cleanest lake for swimming in Missouri and the conclusion depends on who and what you trust.

While we're still a month or two away from this mattering, I thought the question asked on the Missouri sub-Reddit was a good one. What is the cleanest lake for swimming in the state. The answers have been interesting.

Cleanest lake for swimming in MO?
byu/summerer6911 inmissouri

So far, one of the top answers has been Bull Shoals Lake on the southern Missouri border. Many love that it's spring-fed and there's no development allowed next to the lake which makes it cleaner than most.

Table Rock Lake was also mentioned, but the amount of sewage many believe is in that waterway is concerning.

Mark Twain Lake in northeast Missouri was also brought up because of the Corp restrictions on development next to it.

If rivers are allowed for consideration, I'd recommend Eleven Point River in southern Missouri as it was one of the cleanest places I've taken a canoe through. I'd also shy away from swimming in Lake of the Ozarks as the manic activity in the summer makes it a dangerous place in some areas.