Hillsborough-Stearns Lake
Hillsborough County, FloridaHypereutrophic
Hillsborough-Stearns Lake is a highly nutrient-loaded hypereutrophic lake in Hillsborough County, Florida. Water quality is graded F based on 2 sampling years through 2022. Compared to the 221 other monitored lakes in Hillsborough County, Hillsborough-Stearns Lake ranks #184 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Florida DNR, last sampled 2022-06-22. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Hillsborough-Stearns Lake water quality
Subscribe for LakeQuality updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Swimming Safety
Avoid swimming, very poor water quality, potential algae toxins
Water Quality Grade: F, Very Poor
Very murky, less than 2 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 192 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 74.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 2 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | 192 µg/L | F |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 74 | Hypereutrophic |
Very high nutrients, dense algae, poor clarity
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #184 of 222 lakes in Hillsborough County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Hillsborough-Stearns Lake holds Grade F. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Hillsborough County
More Florida Lake Rankings
Other Grade F Lakes in Florida
Polk County · Clarity: 1.3 ft
Polk County · Clarity: 1 ft
Alachua County · Clarity: 2.4 ft
Volusia County · Clarity: 2 ft
Brevard County · Clarity: 1.6 ft
Highlands County · Clarity: 1 ft
Hypereutrophic Lakes in Florida
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
1 EPA-permitted facility operate within about 5 miles of Hillsborough-Stearns Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits, including 1 classified by the EPA as major discharger.
- Mosaic Fertilizer, Llc - Hopewell MinePlant City · 4.2 mi away · NPDES FL0032590Major
Facilities permitted to discharge under the Clean Water Act within ~5 miles; proximity does not by itself mean a facility affects this lake. Source: EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES), as of 2026-07.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2022-06-22
Monitoring stations: 3
Where to stay near Hillsborough-Stearns Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Hillsborough-Stearns Lake in Hillsborough 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.