Highland Lake
Highland Lake in Hernando County, Florida is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Water clarity: 0.8 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 16 µg/L.
- Clarity
- 0.8 ft
- Typical in August
- 87°F
- Trend
- → Stable
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Why Highland 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 Highland 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.
Highland Lake is a lake in Hernando County, Florida. Water clarity is improving over recent sampling years.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, FDEP, last sampled 2020-11-04. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Not ratedLimited data
Not rated for swimming — there is not enough monitoring data to judge this lake
Water quality measurements for Highland Lake
These readings exist but are not enough for an A–F grade — see why.
Very murky, less than 0.8 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 16 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 62.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 0.8 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 16 µg/L | Not graded |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No recent samples | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 62 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Highland Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Highland Lake in Hernando 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 Highland Lake
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Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Florida’s top lakes →
Water Temperature
Highland Lake typically sits around 87°F at the surface in August. Summer average is about 87°F. Usually warmest in Aug (about 87°F) and coldest in Feb (about 69°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 10 field readings (2010–2020) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Highland Lake water temperature breakdown →
Fishing Highland Lake
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.125 m/yr | 3 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +1 µg/L/yr | 3 |
EPA Impairment Status
Highland Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2022 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 4A).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit FL1382A · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (1.62 km)
Graded lakes near Highland Lake
Highland Lake has no grade, but these lakes within a short drive do.
Nearby Lakes in Hernando County
Frequently asked questions about Highland Lake
Where is Highland Lake?
- Highland Lake is a lake in Hernando 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 Highland Lake?
- Highland Lake in Hernando County, Florida is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Water clarity: 0.8 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 16 µg/L.
Is Highland Lake safe to swim in?
- Not rated for swimming — there is not enough monitoring data to judge this lake. Highland Lake is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
What is the water temperature of Highland Lake?
- Highland Lake typically sits around 87°F at the surface in August, from 10 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2010–2020). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
Explore Highland Lake across LakeQuality
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Where this data comes from
8 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2020. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Submitting organization not recorded for these samples8 samples · 2020
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