Southern Section Lake
Washington County, New YorkView mapDirections
Nutrients and algae run above the regional average.
- Eutrophic
- #1 of 1 in the county
- Public access
Southern Section Lake in Washington County, New York has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Water clarity: 2 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 52.7 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 13.5 µg/L.
- Clarity
- 2 ft
- Typical in September
- 70°F
- Type
- Eutrophic
- Trend
- ↑ Improving
- Public access
- Yes
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Stays near Southern Section Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Southern Section Lake in Washington County, New York — 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. The water-quality grade measures nutrients and algae, not lodging — cabins and rentals around Southern Section Lake are listed below.
Top-rated places to stay near Southern Section Lake
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Southern Section Lake is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Washington County, New York. Water quality is graded D based on 2 sampling years through 2024. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 4 public boat landings.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, NYSDEC, last sampled 2024-11-08. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
What Southern Section Lake is good for
From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.
- Boat launch4 documented ramps
Swimming Safety
Grade onlyElevated nutrients
Based on clarity and algae grades from past sampling — we do not hold live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
The D is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.
Water Quality Grade: D (Nutrient-rich)
Very murky, less than 2 ft of visibility. Phosphorus 52.7 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 13.5 µg/L. TSI 62. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 2 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 52.7 µg/L | Poor |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 13.5 µg/L | Poor |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 62 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Water Temperature
Southern Section Lake typically sits around 70°F at the surface in September. Summer average is about 74°F. Usually warmest in Jul (about 76°F) and coldest in Nov (about 47°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 1,426 field readings (2010–2023) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Southern Section Lake water temperature breakdown →
Recreation & Access
- Benson LandingPublic
- George Davis (Singing Cedars)Public
- Chipmans PointPublic
- Lake GeorgePublic
Named access points in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory, within about 3 miles. More lakes with boat ramps
Fishing Southern Section Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.02 m/yr | 4 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +2.32 µg/L/yr | 5 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -0.86 µg/L/yr | 4 |
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
1 EPA-permitted facility operate within about 5 miles of Southern Section Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits.
- Shelia White SubdivisionPutnam · 4.8 mi away · NPDES NY0266027
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.
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 1 lakes in Washington County
Nearby Lakes in Washington County
Frequently asked questions about Southern Section Lake
Where is Southern Section Lake?
- Southern Section Lake is a lake in Washington County, New York. LakeQuality grades it D for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for Southern Section Lake?
- Southern Section Lake in Washington County, New York has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Water clarity: 2 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 52.7 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 13.5 µg/L.
Is Southern Section Lake safe to swim in?
- The D is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.
What is the water temperature of Southern Section Lake?
- Southern Section Lake typically sits around 70°F at the surface in September, from 1,426 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2010–2023). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
Are there boat ramps on Southern Section Lake?
- Southern Section Lake has 4 documented boat landings in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Benson Landing, George Davis (Singing Cedars), Chipmans Point, Lake George. Public access is listed as yes.
Explore Southern Section Lake across LakeQuality
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Where this data comes from
218 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2020–2024. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Vermont Dept of Environmental Conservation
1VTDECWQ218 samples · 2020–2024
Analytical methods
- EPA approved Alternate Test Procedure for 4500 P H. Has a 28 day hold without acid preservation.
- 445.0 ~ EPA; Chlorophyll and Pheophytin in Algae by Fluorescence
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
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
Named boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory