Columbia County Lake Quality
New York, 5 lakes, average grade B (Good)
Only 5 lakes in Columbia County carry an active grade. The county-level summary is therefore representative of those specific lakes, not necessarily of every water body in the county. The county-wide average lands at B — solid water quality with most lakes carrying clear summer transparency and low-to-moderate phosphorus.
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 Queechy Lake (A); the most-stressed is Kinderhook Lake (D).
Quick Answers for Columbia County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Queechy Lake, whether the fish are safe to eat, and the best times to fish — or check the official New York fishing regulations.
Fishing in Columbia County
All Lakes in Columbia County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Queechy Lake | A | 18.1 ft | - |
| 2 | Robinson Pond | B | 10.7 ft | - |
| 3 | Long Pond | B | 10.2 ft | - |
| 4 | Lower Rhoda Pond | B | 11.7 ft | - |
| 5 | Kinderhook Lake | D | 6.1 ft | - |
Other Counties in New York
See how Columbia County stacks up in the national county water-quality rankings, or browse the full directory of graded lakes across all 15 states.
Where to stay near Columbia County
Top-rated places to stay near Columbia County
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.