Southern Section Lake is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Essex County, New York. Water quality is graded C based on 3 sampling years through 2024. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. Compared to the 8 other monitored lakes in Essex County, Southern Section Lake ranks #9 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, New York DNR, last sampled 2024-11-08. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Southern Section Lake water quality
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Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Very murky, less than 2.6 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 22.9 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 10.4 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 55.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 2.6 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | 22.9 µg/L | B |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 10.4 µg/L | C |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 55 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Southern Section Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Southern Section Lake in Essex 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.
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Fishing Southern Section Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.1 m/yr | 4 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +1.81 µg/L/yr | 5 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -0.77 µg/L/yr | 4 |
Water Temperature
Southern Section Lake averages about 67°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Aug (about 70°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 3,172 field readings (2010–2023) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Southern Section Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #9 of 9 lakes in Essex County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Southern Section Lake holds Grade C. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Essex County
Explore Southern Section Lake across LakeGrade
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High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
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More records, surveys & data sources
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
3 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Southern Section Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits, including 1 classified by the EPA as major discharger. 2 facilities have a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Sylvamo - Ticonderoga MillTiconderoga · 2.4 mi away · NPDES NY0004413MajorRecent violation
- Crown Point Sd#1 WwtfCrown Point · 0.5 mi away · NPDES NY0239844Recent violation
- Essex County Fish HatcheryCrown Point, Town Of · 3 mi away · NPDES NY0256544
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: 2024-11-08
Monitoring stations: 1