Santa Cruz County Lake Quality
Arizona, 2 lakes, average grade D (Poor)
Santa Cruz County has 2 graded lakes — a thin enough sample that one or two stressed lakes can move the county average noticeably. Use the per-lake pages below for what actually matters. The county-wide average grade is D — water quality issues are persistent across most of the monitored basins. 1 lakes fall into the F bracket outright.
The county's lakes lean shallow, which makes the grades sensitive to wind, sediment-resuspension, and any nutrient inputs from the watershed. The cleanest lake on the books is Patagonia Lake (C); the most-stressed is Pena Blanca Lake (F).
Quick Answers for Santa Cruz County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Patagonia Lake — or check the official Arizona fishing regulations.
All Lakes in Santa Cruz County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Patagonia Lake | C | 11.2 ft | 58 µg/L |
| 2 | Pena Blanca Lake | F | 6.6 ft | 170 µg/L |
Other Counties in Arizona
See how Santa Cruz County stacks up in the national county water-quality rankings, or browse the full directory of graded lakes across all 34 states.
Where to stay near Santa Cruz County
Top-rated places to stay near Santa Cruz County
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a trip to Santa Cruz County?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Santa Cruz County — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.