Fords Arm Lake
Fords Arm Lake in Leon County, Florida is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Water clarity: 1.3 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 65 µg/L.
- Clarity
- 1.3 ft
- Typical in March
- 63°F
- Trend
- ↑ Improving
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Why Fords Arm Lake has no grade
We grade a lake only when the monitoring record supports a letter: at least three phosphorus or chlorophyll-a samples in the last ten years, scored against EPA National Lakes Assessment thresholds for this lake’s ecoregion. For Fords Arm Lake, no nutrient or algae measurement meets the evidence bar (at least 3 samples within 10 years). Sampling here has recorded water clarity and phosphorus, but not algae (chlorophyll-a).
Not Rated is not an F. It is EPA Integrated Reporting Category 3 — insufficient information. The water here may be excellent or poor; nobody has measured enough of it to say. Everything below that has been measured is still reported on this page.
Sampling is run by FDEP and volunteer programs, and published through the EPA Water Quality Portal. Read the full grading methodology.
Fords Arm Lake is a lake in Leon County, Florida. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, FDEP, last sampled 2021-05-10. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
Watch Fords Arm Lake water quality
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Swimming Safety
Not ratedBacteria A · advisory
Based on E. coli testing, Fords Arm Lake never exceeded the EPA safe-swimming threshold (235 MPN/100mL) — on 0% of 13 samples across 2 seasons.
This is a historical summary of past testing, not a current condition — bacteria levels change quickly, especially after rain. Always check Florida’s current beach and health-department advisories before swimming.
Water quality measurements for Fords Arm Lake
These readings exist but are not enough for an A–F grade — see why.
Very murky, less than 1.3 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 65 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 69.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 1.3 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 65 µg/L | Not graded |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No recent samples | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 69 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Fords Arm Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Fords Arm Lake in Leon County, Florida — live availability and prices for your trip. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water.
Top-rated places to stay near Fords Arm Lake
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Water Temperature
Fords Arm Lake typically sits around 63°F at the surface in March. Usually warmest in Mar (about 63°F) and coldest in Feb (about 55°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 13 field readings (2020–2021) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Fords Arm Lake water temperature breakdown →
Fishing Fords Arm Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 6 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.066 m/yr | 5 |
| Phosphorus | ↑ Improving | -7.76 µg/L/yr | 6 |
EPA Impairment Status
Fords Arm 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 FL758 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (2.31 km)
Graded lakes near Fords Arm Lake
Fords Arm Lake has no grade, but these lakes within a short drive do.
Nearby Lakes in Leon County
Frequently asked questions about Fords Arm Lake
Where is Fords Arm Lake?
- Fords Arm Lake is a lake in Leon County, Florida. LakeQuality has not rated this lake (UNRATED) — no nutrient or algae measurement meets the evidence bar (at least 3 samples within 10 years).
What is the water quality grade for Fords Arm Lake?
- Fords Arm Lake in Leon County, Florida is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Water clarity: 1.3 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 65 µg/L.
Is Fords Arm Lake safe to swim in?
- Based on E. coli testing, Fords Arm Lake never exceeded the EPA safe-swimming threshold (235 MPN/100mL) — on 0% of 13 samples across 2 seasons. That works out to a bacteria swim-safety grade of A — a historical summary of past testing, not a current reading. Fords Arm Lake is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Bacteria levels can spike quickly after heavy rain, so always check Florida's current beach and health-department advisories before you swim.
What is the water temperature of Fords Arm Lake?
- Fords Arm Lake typically sits around 63°F at the surface in March, from 13 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2020–2021). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
Explore Fords Arm Lake across LakeQuality
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Where this data comes from
25 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2020–2021. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Submitting organization not recorded for these samples25 samples · 2020–2021
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.
Other records on this page
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database