Lake Pearl
Lake Pearl is a deep (47 feet), sandy-bottomed, clear 'ridge' type lake located to the west of US 27 just south of the Town of Lake Placid. The limited Lakewatch water quality data available indicate that Lake Pearl, at least in 1997, has fairly good water quality, though nitrogen levels were high at times. Phosphorus levels ranged from 1 to 11 ppb (parts per billion) and averaged only 4 ppb. Nitrogen levels ranged form 420 ppb to a somewhat high 1110 ppb, averaging a fairly healthy 723 ppb. Algae populations, as estimated by the chlorophyll concentration in the water, were consistently low due to low nutrient (especially phosphorus) levels. Chlorophyll ranged from only 1 to 4 ppb. The relatively low amount of algae in the lake resulted in increased water clarity, as measured by the depth to which a standardized 'secchi' disc can be seen when lowered into the water. Secchi depths ranged from 10 to 25 feet and averaged 18 feet, making Lake Pearl among the very clearest lakes in the county. Click here to view water quality data by year.