Lake Hill
Lake Hill is a mucky-bottomed, naturally stained, 'transition' type lake located to the northwest of the Town of Lake Placid. Water quality in Lake Hill, based on Lakewatch data, is very good for a lake of this type. Phosphorus levels range from 4 to 23 ppb (parts per billion) and average only 10 ppb (20-30 ppb are more typical of a transition type lake). Nitrogen levels are also very low, ranging from 110 to 610 ppb and averaging only 355 ppb (values of 800 to 1200 ppb are to be expected for transition lakes). Algae populations increase and decrease as nutrient levels increase and decrease and are measured by the concentration of chlorophyll in the water. Chlorophyll ranges from 1 to 22 ppb and averages only 5 ppb. Increased algae levels result in decreased water clarity, which is measured by the depth to which a standardized 'secchi' disc can be seen when lowered into the water. Secchi depths range from 3 to 10 feet and average 6.7 feet, which is quite deep for a transition type lake. No long term changes in lake water quality can be discerned based on available data. Click here to view water quality data by year.
Lakewatch water quality through 1999