Highlands-Josephine West Lake
Highlands County, FloridaHypereutrophic
Highlands-Josephine West Lake is a highly nutrient-loaded hypereutrophic lake in Highlands County, Florida. Water quality is graded D based on 2 sampling years through 2025. Compared to the 149 other monitored lakes in Highlands County, Highlands-Josephine West Lake ranks #127 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Florida DNR, last sampled 2025-04-23. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Highlands-Josephine West Lake water quality
Subscribe for LakeQuality updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Swimming Safety
Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk
Water Quality Grade: D, Poor
Very murky, less than 1.5 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 92 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 70.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 1.5 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | 92 µg/L | D |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 70 | Hypereutrophic |
Very high nutrients, dense algae, poor clarity
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #127 of 150 lakes in Highlands County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Highlands-Josephine West Lake holds Grade D. 4 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- AHighlands-Lynn LakeHighlands County · 3.4 mi · Two grade letters higher (D → A)
- ALake_lynnHighlands County · 3.4 mi · Two grade letters higher (D → A)
- DHighlands-Josephine East LakeHighlands County · 1.7 mi · Higher overall water quality score
- DHuckleberry Lake Canal EntranceHighlands County · 3.4 mi · Higher overall water quality score
Nearby Lakes in Highlands County
More Florida Lake Rankings
Other Grade D Lakes in Florida
Hypereutrophic Lakes in Florida
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2025-04-23
Monitoring stations: 3
Where to stay near Highlands-Josephine West Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Highlands-Josephine West Lake in Highlands County, Florida — live availability and prices for your trip.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.