Lake Texoma Ranked Third Dirtiest Lake in U.S. Study

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A recent study by fishing forecast platform FishBox analyzed water quality data from 100 of the country's largest lakes and found that Lake Texoma in Texas ranked as the third dirtiest lake in the United States. The lake was found to have poor oxygenation, high levels of dissolved solids, and a subtle rotten egg smell.

Why it matters

Lake Texoma is a major recreational destination for fishing and boating, so the water quality issues could have significant impacts on the local economy and ecosystem. The high salinity and low dissolved oxygen levels present challenges for many fish species, although some, like striped bass, are able to thrive in the conditions.

The details

The study found that Lake Texoma had a total dissolved solids reading of 753.59 milligrams per liter, which measures the amount of material dissolved in the water, including salts, minerals, and other compounds. The lake faces salinity issues in the main stem reach of the lower Red River, but this benefits some fish species like striped bass. However, the dissolved oxygen level of 4.42 milligrams per liter is a bigger concern, as levels below 2 milligrams per liter could potentially cause fish to suffocate.

• The recent study by FishBox analyzed water quality data from 100 of the country's largest lakes.
• Lake Texoma has faced salinity issues in the main stem reach of the lower Red River for an unspecified period of time.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The study's findings raise concerns about the long-term health and viability of Lake Texoma, which is an important recreational resource for the region. Local officials and environmental agencies will likely need to monitor the lake's water quality closely and explore potential remediation efforts to address the high salinity and low dissolved oxygen levels.