Mozingo Lake
Mozingo Lake is a 1,006-acre reservoir located in eastern Nodaway County, approximately 5 miles east of Maryville. Constructed in the early 1990s, the lake serves as the primary drinking water source for the city of Maryville and anchors the 3,000-acre Mozingo Lake Recreation Park, a regional destination for outdoor recreation and tourism.
History
Construction of Mozingo Lake began in 1991 and was completed in 1992 by damming Mozingo Creek, a perennial stream that originates near the Iowa border. The lake filled rapidly due to heavy rainfall and briefly overtopped its dam during the Great Flood of 1993. Initial fish stocking began in 1993 with bluegill and channel catfish, followed by largemouth bass in 1994 and walleye in 1996.Ecology
Mozingo Lake is considered a eutrophic reservoir, with elevated levels of nutrients and phytoplankton biomass. These conditions have led to periodic harmful algal blooms, particularly during summer months. In 2020, the lake was listed on Missouri’s 303 list of impaired waters due to high levels of chlorophyll-a, nitrogen, and cyanobacteria. The lake also experiences taste and odor issues in drinking water due to geosmin, a compound produced by cyanobacteria.Despite these challenges, the lake supports a diverse fishery managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation. Common species include largemouth bass, walleye, bluegill, channel catfish, and black crappie.