The State of New York's Lakes 2026

Cleanest lakes in New York

Cleanest combined nutrient and algae readings, 2026.

1. 1.Queneska Island Lake — Essex County17.4 ft clarity · 15 µg/L P · 3 µg/L chl-a
2. 2.South Lake — Herkimer County4 µg/L P · 1 µg/L chl-a
3. 3.West Pond — Herkimer County10 µg/L P · 3 µg/L chl-a
4. 4.Squash Pond — Herkimer County11 µg/L P · 2 µg/L chl-a
5. 5.Main Section Lake — Clinton County14.8 ft clarity · 12 µg/L P · 5 µg/L chl-a
6. 6.Little Clear Pond — Franklin County17 µg/L P · 5 µg/L chl-a
7. 7.Hope Pond — Franklin County11 µg/L P · 8 µg/L chl-a
8. 8.Southern Section Lake — Washington County2.0 ft clarity · 53 µg/L P · 14 µg/L chl-a

Highest measured algae

Highest measured chlorophyll-a (algae) concentration.

No qualifying lakes with sufficient data.

Trending lakes

Improving

1. 1.South Lake — Herkimer County
2. 2.Carry Pond — Hamilton County
3. 3.Jockeybush Lake — Hamilton County
4. 4.Willis Lake — Hamilton County
5. 5.Sochia Pond — Franklin County
6. 6.Sunday Pond — Franklin County
7. 7.Southern Section Lake — Washington County
8. 8.E Caroga Lake — Fulton County

Declining

1. 1.Main Section Lake — Clinton County
2. 2.Queneska Island Lake — Essex County
3. 3.Willys Lake — Herkimer County
4. 4.Windfall Pond — Herkimer County
5. 5.Loon Hollows Pond — Herkimer County
6. 6.Canadice Lake — Ontario County