Mozingo Lake

{{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Infobox body of water | name = Mozingo Lake | image = 280px|center | caption = Lake with the Golf Course grain silo in the background | location = Nodaway County, Missouri, United States | coordinates = {{coord|40|21|31|N|94|45|52|W|display=inline,title}} | type = Reservoir | inflow = Mozingo Creek | outflow = Mozingo Creek | area = 1,006 acres (4.07 km²) | max-depth = 50 ft (15 m) | shore = 26 mi (42 km) | elevation = 1,050 ft (320 m) | pushpin_map = Missouri | pushpin_map_caption = Location in Missouri }}

'''Mozingo Lake''' is a 1,006-acre (4.07 km²) 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.<ref name="mdc">{{cite web |title=Mozingo Lake (Maryville) |url=https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/mozingo-lake-maryville |publisher=Missouri Department of Conservation |access-date=13 June 2025}}</ref>

==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.<ref name="mdc"/> Initial fish stocking began in 1993 with bluegill and channel catfish, followed by largemouth bass in 1994 and walleye in 1996.<ref name="mdc"/>

==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 (HABs), particularly during summer months. In 2020, the lake was listed on Missouri’s 303(d) list of impaired waters due to high levels of chlorophyll-a, nitrogen, and cyanobacteria.<ref name="dnr"/> The lake also experiences taste and odor issues in drinking water due to geosmin, a compound produced by cyanobacteria.<ref name="usgs">{{cite web |title=Harmful Algal Blooms Team |url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/fs20223011/full |publisher=U.S. Geological Survey |access-date=13 June 2025}}</ref>

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.<ref name="mdc" />

===Hydrology=== Mozingo Lake is part of the Mozingo Creek watershed, which drains into the One Hundred and Two River. The lake is approximately 4.2 miles long, with an average depth of 10.5 feet and a maximum depth of 50 feet.<ref name="dnr">{{cite web |title=Mozingo Lake Watershed Management Plan Summary |url=https://dnr.mo.gov/document-search/mozingo-lake-watershed-management-plan-summary-pub3089/pub3089 |publisher=Missouri Department of Natural Resources |access-date=13 June 2025}}</ref> The watershed is predominantly agricultural, with 39% pastureland and 37% cropland, contributing to nutrient and sediment runoff into the lake.<ref name="dnr"/>

==Recreation== The surrounding 3,000-acre '''Mozingo Lake Recreation Park''' is owned and operated by the City of Maryville. Amenities include RV and tent camping, eight rustic cabins, a public beach, equestrian and hiking trails, disc golf, and the Mozingo Event Center, which hosts weddings, conferences, and regional events.<ref name="mozingopark">{{cite web |title=Mozingo Lake Recreation Park |url=https://mozingolake.com/ |publisher=City of Maryville |access-date=13 June 2025}}</ref><ref name="eventcenter">{{cite web |title=Mozingo Event Center |url=https://www.visitmaryville.org/mozingo-event-center/ |publisher=Visit Maryville |access-date=13 June 2025}}</ref>

===Golf=== Mozingo Lake is home to the Mozingo Lake Golf Course, which includes the 18-hole Sechrest Course and the 9-hole Watson Course. The Sechrest 18 was designed by Donald Sechrest and features over 7,100 yards of championship-level play. The Watson 9, named after Missouri native Tom Watson, offers a shorter, family-friendly layout.<ref name="golf">{{cite web |title=Golf at Mozingo Lake |url=https://mozingolake.com/golf |publisher=Mozingo Lake Recreation Park |access-date=13 June 2025}}</ref>

===Events=== Mozingo Lake Recreation Park hosts a variety of public events throughout the year, including fishing tournaments, triathlons, fireworks displays, and seasonal festivals. The [https://mozingolake.com/events official events calendar] provides up-to-date listings of upcoming activities.<ref name="events">{{cite web |title=Calendar of Events |url=https://mozingolake.com/events |publisher=Mozingo Lake Recreation Park |access-date=13 June 2025}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

Category:Reservoirs in Missouri Category:Bodies of water of Nodaway County, Missouri Category:Protected areas of Nodaway County, Missouri Category:Maryville, Missouri Category:Tourist attractions in Nodaway County, Missouri