Darkwater Lake
Putnam County, FloridaEutrophic
Darkwater Lake is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Putnam County, Florida. Water quality is graded D based on 2 sampling years through 2023. Compared to the 67 other monitored lakes in Putnam County, Darkwater Lake ranks #57 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Florida DNR, last sampled 2023-11-07. 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
Very murky, less than 2 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 54 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 65.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 2 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | 54 µg/L | C |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 65 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #57 of 68 lakes in Putnam County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Darkwater Lake holds Grade D. 5 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- ALakePutnam County · 1.7 mi · Two grade letters higher (D → A)
- APutnam-Fanny LakePutnam County · 2.2 mi · Two grade letters higher (D → A)
- APutnam-Annie LakePutnam County · 3.7 mi · Two grade letters higher (D → A)
- BPutnam-Cowpen LakePutnam County · 2.8 mi · Two grade letters higher (D → B)
- BGillis Pond CenterPutnam County · 1.9 mi · Two grade letters higher (D → B)
Nearby Lakes in Putnam County
More Florida Lake Rankings
Other Grade D Lakes in Florida
Eutrophic Lakes in Florida
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
1 EPA-permitted facility operate within about 5 miles of Darkwater Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 1 facility has a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Edgar Minerals, Inc.Edgar · 0.9 mi away · NPDES FL0028525Recent violation
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
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2023-11-07
Monitoring stations: 1
Where to stay near Darkwater Lake
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