Otter Lake Ref
Otter Lake Ref in Wakulla County, Florida is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Water clarity: 1 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 46 µg/L.
- Clarity
- 1 ft
- Typical in August
- 87°F
- Trend
- → Stable
- Public access
- Yes
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Why Otter Lake Ref 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 Otter Lake Ref, 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.
Otter Lake Ref is a lake in Wakulla County, Florida. Water clarity is improving over recent sampling years. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, FDEP, last sampled 2023-06-08. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
Watch Otter Lake Ref water quality
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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 Otter Lake Ref
These readings exist but are not enough for an A–F grade — see why.
Very murky, less than 1 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 46 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 68.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 1 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 46 µg/L | Not graded |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No recent samples | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 68 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Otter Lake Ref
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Otter Lake Ref in Wakulla 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 Otter Lake Ref
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Water Temperature
Otter Lake Ref typically sits around 87°F at the surface in August. Summer average is about 85°F. Usually warmest in Aug (about 87°F) and coldest in Apr (about 76°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 21 field readings (2012–2024) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Otter Lake Ref water temperature breakdown →
Recreation & Access
- St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge - Otter Lake Boat RampPublic
Named access points in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory, within about 3 miles. More lakes with boat ramps
Fishing Otter Lake Ref
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 4 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.2 m/yr | 2 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +3.2 µg/L/yr | 4 |
EPA Impairment Status
Otter Lake Ref 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 FL1165A · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (0.04 km)
Graded lakes near Otter Lake Ref
Otter Lake Ref has no grade, but these lakes within a short drive do.
Nearby Lakes in Wakulla County
Frequently asked questions about Otter Lake Ref
Where is Otter Lake Ref?
- Otter Lake Ref is a lake in Wakulla 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 Otter Lake Ref?
- Otter Lake Ref in Wakulla County, Florida is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Water clarity: 1 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 46 µg/L.
Is Otter Lake Ref safe to swim in?
- Not rated for swimming — there is not enough monitoring data to judge this lake. Otter Lake Ref 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 Otter Lake Ref?
- Otter Lake Ref typically sits around 87°F at the surface in August, from 21 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2012–2024). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
Are there boat ramps on Otter Lake Ref?
- Otter Lake Ref has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge - Otter Lake Boat Ramp. Public access is listed as yes.
Explore Otter Lake Ref across LakeQuality
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Where this data comes from
2 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2023. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Submitting organization not recorded for these samples2 samples · 2023
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
Named boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory