Tompkins County Lake Quality
New York, 1 lakes, average grade C (Fair)
Tompkins County has 1 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 average is C — the middle of the rubric, with one or two lakes pulling the average up or down depending on year.
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 Cayuga Lake (C); the most-stressed is Cayuga Lake (C).
Quick Answers for Tompkins County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Cayuga Lake, whether the fish are safe to eat, and the best times to fish — or check the official New York fishing regulations.
All Lakes in Tompkins County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cayuga Lake | C | 7.4 ft | - |
Other Counties in New York
See how Tompkins 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 Tompkins County
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.