Ballston Lake is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Saratoga County, New York. Water quality is graded D based on 1 sampling years through 2020. Compared to the 4 other monitored lakes in Saratoga County, Ballston Lake ranks #5 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, New York DNR, last sampled 2020-09-20. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk
Water Quality Grade: D, Poor
Murky, only visible to about 5.8 ft. Trophic State Index: 52.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 5.8 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 52 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Ballston Lake
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Fishing Ballston Lake
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #5 of 5 lakes in Saratoga County
Nearby Lakes in Saratoga County
Explore Ballston Lake across LakeGrade
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High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
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More records, surveys & data sources
EPA Impairment Status
Ballston Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2022 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit NY1101-0036 · Official waterbody report
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
5 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Ballston Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits.
- Old Homestead InnBurnt Hills · 2.9 mi away · NPDES NY0202452
- Council Meadows WwtpBurnt Hills · 3.4 mi away · NPDES NY0202029
- Carney'S RestaurantBallston Lake · 3.5 mi away · NPDES NY0249122
- Pig N Whistle @ The GroveBurnt Hills · 3.8 mi away · NPDES NY0205371
- Green Oak Blue Barns Apartments, Llc And William EichengrunClifton Park · 4.2 mi away · NPDES NY0252085
Facilities permitted to discharge under the Clean Water Act within ~5 miles; proximity does not by itself mean a facility affects this lake. Source: EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES), as of 2026-07.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2020-09-20
Monitoring stations: 1