Lake Buffum
Polk County, FloridaEutrophic
Lake Buffum is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Polk County, Florida. Water quality is graded D based on 2 sampling years through 2025. Compared to the 360 other monitored lakes in Polk County, Lake Buffum ranks #226 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Florida DNR, last sampled 2025-02-12. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk
Water Quality Grade: D, Poor
Very murky, less than 1.8 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 48 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 64.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 1.8 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | 48 µg/L | C |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 64 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #226 of 361 lakes in Polk County
Nearby Lakes in Polk County
More Florida Lake Rankings
Other Grade D Lakes in Florida
Eutrophic 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: 2025-02-12
Monitoring stations: 4
Where to stay near Lake Buffum
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