Elfin Lake
Rutland County, VermontView mapDirections
Clarity, phosphorus, and algae all sit in the cleanest band for this region.
- Mesotrophic
- #9 of 15 in the county
Elfin Lake in Rutland County, Vermont has a water quality grade of A (Excellent). Water clarity: 10.8 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 13.6 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 4 µg/L.
- Clarity
- 10.8 ft
- Type
- Mesotrophic
- Phosphorus
- 13.6 µg/L
- Chlorophyll-a
- 4 µg/L
- Trend
- ↓ Declining
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Watch Elfin Lake’s letter
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Elfin Lake is a mesotrophic lake in Rutland County, Vermont. Water quality is graded A based on 2 sampling years through 2025. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. Compared to the 14 other monitored lakes in Rutland County, Elfin Lake ranks #9 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, VT DEC, last sampled 2025-08-26. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
What Elfin Lake is good for
From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.
- Clear water10.8 ft of visibility
Swimming Safety
Grade onlyLow algae
Based on clarity and algae grades from past sampling — we do not hold live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
The A is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.
Water Quality Grade: A (Excellent)
Good clarity, visible to about 10.8 ft. Phosphorus 13.6 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 4 µg/L. TSI 43. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 10.8 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 13.6 µg/L | Good |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 4 µg/L | Good |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 43 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Fishing Elfin Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 4 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -1.321 m/yr | 4 |
| Phosphorus | → Stable | +0.2 µg/L/yr | 3 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↓ Declining | +1.8 µg/L/yr | 3 |
County Ranking
Ranked #9 of 15 lakes in Rutland County
Nearby Lakes in Rutland County
Frequently asked questions about Elfin Lake
Where is Elfin Lake?
- Elfin Lake is a lake in Rutland County, Vermont. LakeQuality grades it A for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for Elfin Lake?
- Elfin Lake in Rutland County, Vermont has a water quality grade of A (Excellent). Water clarity: 10.8 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 13.6 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 4 µg/L.
Is Elfin Lake safe to swim in?
- The A is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.
Explore Elfin Lake across LakeQuality
More Vermont Lake Rankings
Other Grade A Lakes in Vermont
Mesotrophic Lakes in Vermont
Where this data comes from
66 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2021–2025. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Vermont Dept of Environmental Conservation
1VTDECWQ66 samples · 2021–2025
Analytical methods
- EPA approved Alternate Test Procedure for 4500 P H. Has a 28 day hold without acid preservation.
- 445.0 ~ EPA; Chlorophyll and Pheophytin in Algae by Fluorescence
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
Grade thresholds from the EPA National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See how grades are calculated and data sources.