What Experts are saying about Water Quality

"Considering the level of development around the Lake, I personally thought the values would be much higher. I have been pleasantly surprised by the low bacteria values found at nearly every cove monitored at the Lake of the Ozarks so far."
Tony Thorpe 10/9/2009
University of Missouri-Columbia
Coordinator Lakes of Missouri Volunteer Program

"The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) December 2009 Water Quality Report indicates that the overall water quality of the Lake is generally good and fairly typical of most Midwestern reservoirs. Monitoring performed by MDNR and others previous to this particular sampling event also demonstrates that overall quality of the Lake of the Ozarks is typically good. In 2009, relatively elevated levels of bacteria were observed during isolated events that were apparently affected by wet weather, a condition that is typical of runoff influenced water quality conditions throughout the state."
Randy Crawford 1/27/2010
Senior Water Quality Scientist
Geosyntec Consultants

"Despite some higher numbers in May and June 2008 partly due to heavy rain events, the overall numbers for the year were very similar to 2007 and indicate overall good health for the Lake in terms of bacteria levels."
Scott Robinett 4/2009
Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Water Quality Specialist

"If the Lake were filled with pollutants and contaminants, fishing would not be a multi-million dollar industry with hundreds of tournaments drawing thousands of anglers season after season. There would be no egrets, eagles, herons, kingfishers, or osprey who depend on the fisheries for their food source. If you don’t have a healthy environment, you are not going to have a healthy fish population."
Greg Stoner 8/29/2008
Missouri Department of Conservation
Fisheries Biologist

"Lake of the Ozarks is a healthy lake, we (LOWA and the lake community)are being proactive to protect the Lake of the Ozarks is a healthy Lake, we (LOWA) and the lake community are being proactive to protect the Lake. We want to keep it healthy for the future."
Donna Swall 1/26/10
Executive Director
Lake of the Ozarks Watershed Alliance

"All fresh water streams, lakes and rivers, including Lake of the Ozarks, have E. coli, but it is by no means a contaminated body of water. One of the issues on Lake of the Ozarks that is different from other waterways is the shoreline development. That means more potential sources for problems. As would be true with any lake or river, swimmers should avoid drinking the water and take other normal precautions such as washing their hands before handling food, but it is safe to come and swim, ski and enjoy the water."

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