Forest Lake is a cold, clear oligotrophic lake in Washington County, Vermont. Water quality is graded A based on 3 sampling years through 2025. Compared to the 16 other monitored lakes in Washington County, Forest Lake ranks #9 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Vermont DNR, last sampled 2025-08-26. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
Crystal clear, you can see 25.6 ft down. Phosphorus level: 7 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 1.2 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 32.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 25.6 ft | A |
| Phosphorus | 7 µg/L | A |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 1.2 µg/L | A |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 32 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Where to stay near Forest Lake
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Fishing Forest Lake
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #9 of 17 lakes in Washington County
Nearby Lakes in Washington County
Explore Forest Lake across LakeGrade
More Vermont Lake Rankings
Other Grade A Lakes in Vermont
Oligotrophic Lakes in Vermont
More records, surveys & data sources
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2025-08-26
Monitoring stations: 1