Lake Hardee
Hardee County, FloridaEutrophic
Lake Hardee is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Hardee County, Florida. Water quality is graded F based on 2 sampling years through 2024.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Florida DNR, last sampled 2024-07-17. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Lake Hardee water quality
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Swimming Safety
Avoid swimming, very poor water quality, potential algae toxins
Water Quality Grade: F, Very Poor
Very murky, less than 3 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 140 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 68.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 3 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | 140 µg/L | F |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 68 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 1 lakes in Hardee County
Nearby Lakes in Hardee County
More Florida Lake Rankings
Other Grade F Lakes in Florida
Eutrophic Lakes in Florida
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
5 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Lake Hardee under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits, including 5 classified by the EPA as major dischargers. 2 facilities have a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Mosaic Fertilizer, Llc - Hardee South Pasture MineWauchula · 2.8 mi away · NPDES FL0040177MajorRecent violation
- Mosaic Fertilizer, Llc - Ft Green Mine ComplexFort Green · 4.4 mi away · NPDES FL0027600MajorRecent violation
- Hardee Power Station Units 1 2Fort Green · 1.2 mi away · NPDES FL0041751Major
- Seci - Richard J. Midulla Generating StationFort Green · 1.4 mi away · NPDES FL0044229Major
- Mosaic Fertilizer, Llc - Hardee North Pasture MineWauchula · 2.8 mi away · NPDES FL0035271Major
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)
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2024-07-17
Monitoring stations: 1
Where to stay near Lake Hardee
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