Lancaster County Lake Quality
Pennsylvania, 3 lakes, measured by PA DEP
Lancaster County holds 3 monitored lakes. With a sample that small the county-level summary describes those specific waters, not necessarily every water body in the county. 2 of those lakes carry recent nutrient and algae readings. The county-level summary describes that subset, not every water body listed. Phosphorus and algae readings vary widely across Lancaster County; the per-lake pages below carry the numbers.
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. Speedwell Forge Dam has the lowest nutrient and algae readings in the county.
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Quick Answers for Lancaster County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Speedwell Forge Dam — or check the official Pennsylvania fishing regulations.
All Lakes in Lancaster County
3 lakes · 2 ranked on readings, 1 without enough sampling2 lakes ranked on readings · 1 without enough sampling, hidden
| # | Lake | Clarity | Phosphorus | Algae | Trophic | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Speedwell Forge DamLancaster | No recent samples | 88 µg/L | 89.3 µg/L | No recent samples | ✓ Public |
| 2 | Middle Creek ReservoirLancaster | No recent samples | 225 µg/L | 74.1 µg/L | No recent samples | Not recorded |
| Muddy Run Recreation ReservoirLancaster | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | No recent samples | 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 Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. See data sources.