Photo: SeanZhang82 — CC BY-SA 3.0Southern Section Lake is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Washington County, New York. Water quality is graded D based on 3 sampling years through 2024. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. Compared to the 2 other monitored lakes in Washington County, Southern Section Lake ranks #3 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
Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk
Water Quality Grade: D, Poor
Very murky, less than 2 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 36.7 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 13.8 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 60.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 2 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | 36.7 µg/L | C |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 13.8 µg/L | C |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 60 | 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 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.
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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 | +2.26 µg/L/yr | 5 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -1.1 µg/L/yr | 4 |
Water Temperature
Southern Section Lake averages about 74°F at the surface in summer, 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 →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #3 of 3 lakes in Washington County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Southern Section Lake holds Grade D. 2 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- AQueneska Island LakeEssex County · 15.4 mi · Two grade letters higher (D → A)
- CSouthern Section LakeEssex County · 15.3 mi · Higher grade (D → C)
Nearby Lakes in Washington 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
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.
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