Late afternoon sun over Slim Lake, scattering a bright path across wind-textured water

Essex County Lake Quality

New York, 129 lakes, measured by NY DEC

Essex County has 129 monitored lakes, enough that within-county variation matters as much as the county average. Some are deep glacial basins, others are shallow agricultural-watershed waters, and the measurements reflect that mix. 1 of those lake carry recent nutrient and algae readings. The county-level summary describes that subset, not every water body listed. On average, Essex County lakes carry some of the lowest phosphorus and chlorophyll-a readings in New York, with clear summer transparency across most monitored basins.

Most of the county's monitored lakes are shallow, under 50 feet, which means wind keeps the water column mixed all summer and sediment-bound phosphorus releases back into the surface layer whenever the bottom is disturbed. Queneska Island Lake has the lowest nutrient and algae readings in the county.

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Where to stay near Essex County

Top-rated places to stay near Essex County

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Quick Answers for Essex County

Cleanest lakes in Essex County →Cleanest lakes in New York →Best swimming lakes in New York →

Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Queneska Island Lake — or check the official New York fishing regulations.

All Lakes in Essex County

129 lakes · 1 ranked on readings, 128 without enough sampling1 lake ranked on readings · 128 without enough sampling, hidden

Include not-rated lakes (128)

#	Lake	Clarity	Phosphorus	Algae	Trophic	Max Depth	Access
1	Queneska Island LakeEssex	17.4 ft	15 µg/L	3.4 µg/L	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
	Schroon LakeEssex	14.1 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
	Lake PlacidEssex	23.1 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Eagle LakeEssex	24.3 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
	Lincoln PondEssex	15.1 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Mirror LakeEssex	22.6 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	✓ Public
	Augur LakeEssex	8 ft	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Essex Chain LakesEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	78.7 ft	Not recorded
	Jackson PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Essex Chain LakesEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Essex Chain LakesEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Mud PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Deer PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Goodnow FlowageEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	15.4 ft	Not recorded
	Goodnow PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Adjidaumo FlowEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Arbutus PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	25.9 ft	Not recorded
	Wolf PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Deer PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Moose PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Henderson LakeEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	71.9 ft	Not recorded
	Upper PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Moose PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Lower PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	50.9 ft	Not recorded
	Heart LakeEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	55.1 ft	Not recorded
	Lake ColdenEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	24 ft	Not recorded
	Lake JimmyEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Lake SallyEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Boreas PondsEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Wolf PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	16.4 ft	Not recorded
	Trout PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	19.7 ft	Not recorded
	Perch PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Beaver FlowEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Newcomb LakeEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Harris LakeEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	39.4 ft	Not recorded
	Rich LakeEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Woodruff PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Zack PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	32.2 ft	Not recorded
	Otter PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Sixth LakeEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Frank PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Split Rock PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Moose PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	36.1 ft	Not recorded
	Hewitt PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	55.8 ft	Not recorded
	Cheney PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Sand PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	39.4 ft	Not recorded
	Bailey PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	North PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Elk LakeEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Clear PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	80.1 ft	Not recorded
	Big Marsh PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	13.1 ft	Not recorded
	Palmer PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Moose Mountain PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Hammond PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Bass LakeEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	32.8 ft	Not recorded
	Tub Mill PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	16.4 ft	Not recorded
	Overshot PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Knob PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Johnson PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Paradox LakeEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	60.7 ft	Not recorded
	Pyramid LakeEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	62.3 ft	Not recorded
	Gooseneck PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Flemings PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Penfield PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Sherman LakeEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	27.9 ft	Not recorded
	Bartlett PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Mill PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	36.1 ft	Not recorded
	North PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	32.8 ft	Not recorded
	Nichols PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	29.5 ft	Not recorded
	Little PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	29.5 ft	Not recorded
	Russett PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	36.1 ft	Not recorded
	Round PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	62.3 ft	Not recorded
	Newport PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	42.7 ft	Not recorded
	New PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Upper Ausable LakeEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	49.2 ft	Not recorded
	Lower Asuable LakeEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	19.7 ft	Not recorded
	Upper Cascade LakeEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	60 ft	Not recorded
	Lower Cascade LakeEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	41 ft	Not recorded
	Lawson PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Big PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	6.6 ft	Not recorded
	Mud PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Long PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Frances PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	6.6 ft	Not recorded
	Butternut PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Keenan PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Hadley PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Highlands Forge LakeEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Trout PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	6.6 ft	Not recorded
	Grass PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Connery PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	49.2 ft	Not recorded
	Holcomb PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Round LakeEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	23 ft	Not recorded
	Alford PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Moody PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	16.4 ft	Not recorded
	McKenzie PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	52.5 ft	Not recorded
	Moose PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	68.9 ft	Not recorded
	Cranberry MarshEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Lost PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	32.8 ft	Not recorded
	Whortleberry PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Berrymill PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	19.7 ft	Not recorded
	Pharoah LakeEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Grizzle OceanEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	32.8 ft	Not recorded
	Putnam PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	34 ft	Not recorded
	Rock PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	65.6 ft	Not recorded
	Clear PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	59.1 ft	Not recorded
	Alder PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	6.6 ft	Not recorded
	Crane PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	105 ft	Not recorded
	Glidden MarshEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	26.2 ft	Not recorded
	Crab PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Spectacle PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	19.7 ft	Not recorded
	Goose PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	101.7 ft	Not recorded
	Thurman PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Marsh PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	16.4 ft	Not recorded
	Horseshoe PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	37.7 ft	Not recorded
	Bullet PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Big PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	19.7 ft	Not recorded
	Bigsby PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Muller PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Oliver PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	13.1 ft	Not recorded
	Stony PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	23 ft	Not recorded
	Balfour LakeEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Minerva LakeEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	13.1 ft	Not recorded
	Clear PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Huntley PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Mink PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Thumb PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Beaver PondsEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Mud PondEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	Not recorded
	Pine LakeEssex	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	No recent samples	69.9 ft	Not recorded

NR = no nutrient or algae reading on record. The measurements are published as the authority reports them. Where the data comes from.

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Source: the New York Department of Environmental Conservation. See data sources.