New York Lake Water Temperatures
Typical surface water temperatures for 15 New York lakes. Loon Hollows Pond runs warmest (~76°F in summer); the statewide summer average is about 70°F. Values are typical by month, not live readings.
New York lakes by typical summer water temperature (warmest first)
| Lake | County | Summer avg | Warmest | Coldest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loon Hollows Pond | Herkimer | 76°F | 76°F (Jul) | 33°F (Feb) |
| Little Clear Pond | Franklin | 75°F | 75°F (Jul) | 34°F (Feb) |
| West Pond | Herkimer | 75°F | 75°F (Jul) | 34°F (Feb) |
| Southern Section Lake | Washington | 74°F | 76°F (Jul) | 47°F (Nov) |
| Jockeybush Lake | Hamilton | 74°F | 74°F (Jul) | 34°F (Feb) |
| Hope Pond | Franklin | 74°F | 74°F (Jul) | 34°F (Feb) |
| Willys Lake | Herkimer | 74°F | 74°F (Jul) | 33°F (Feb) |
| Little Echo Pond | Franklin | 73°F | 73°F (Jul) | 34°F (Feb) |
| South Lake | Herkimer | 73°F | 73°F (Jul) | 33°F (Feb) |
| Squash Pond | Herkimer | 73°F | 73°F (Jul) | 33°F (Feb) |
| Lk Ontario Lake | Monroe | 72°F | 77°F (Jul) | 41°F (Apr) |
| Southern Section Lake | Essex | 67°F | 70°F (Aug) | 47°F (Nov) |
| Main Section Lake | Clinton | 67°F | 72°F (Aug) | 43°F (Apr) |
| Isle la Motte Lake | Clinton | 53°F | 56°F (Aug) | 41°F (Apr) |
| Main Section Lake | Essex | 50°F | 54°F (Sep) | 39°F (Apr) |
More New York lake data
Frequently asked questions
Which New York lake has the warmest water?
Of the 15 New York lakes with a temperature record, Loon Hollows Pond in Herkimer County runs warmest, averaging about 76°F at the surface in summer. Colder lakes like Main Section Lake sit closer to 50°F.
What is a typical summer water temperature in New York?
Across the New York lakes we track, typical summer surface temperature averages about 70°F, though it varies widely by lake depth, elevation, and region. Shallow lowland lakes warm faster and further than deep or high-elevation ones.
Where does this New York water temperature data come from?
Each temperature is a typical (climatological) value computed from real surface-water field readings collected by state and federal agencies and published through the EPA Water Quality Portal. They describe what is typical for each month, not the temperature right now.
About this data
Water temperatures are a climatology — the typical value for each month, averaged from real surface-water field readings published through the EPA Water Quality Portal. They tell you what to expect, not the temperature right now.