Lake Lillian
Lake Lillian is a deep, sandy bottomed, clear 'ridge' type lake located to the west of US 27 north of the City of Avon Park. Based on Lakewatch data, water quality is good in Lake Lillian, with the exception of a single large increase in nutrients and algae in 1998, probably associated with El Nino. Phosphorus in Lake Lillian ranges from 4 to 70 ppb (parts per billion), but averages only 11 ppb. Nitrogen is also usually quite low, ranging from 270 to 2160 ppb and averaging only 712 ppb. Algae populations, as measured by the concentration of chlorophyll in the water, are also consistently low, with the exception of a single bloom (large increase) in 1998. Chlorophyll levels range from 2 to 53 ppb, but average only 8 ppb as a result of the generally low levels of nutrients. The presence of algae affects 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 0.5 to 18.3 and average 8.5 feet, making Lake Lillian a relatively clear lake. There does not appear to be an overall increase in phosphorus, nitrogen or chlorophyll since sampling began in 1994. Click here to view water quality data by year.