Lake Redwater
Lake Redwater is a mucky-bottomed, naturally stained 'transition' type lake located to the northwest of the Town of Lake Placid and is connected to Lakes Little Redwater and Francis. Based on Lakewatch data, water quality in Lake Redwater is fair to good for a lake of this type and water quality fluctuates quite a bit with periodic increases in nutrients resulting in periodic algae 'blooms'. Phosphorus levels in Lake Redwater are fairly low for a lake of this type, ranging from 7 to 36 ppb (parts per billion) and averaging 17 ppb. Nitrogen levels vary from low to quite high, ranging from 500 to 2280 ppb and averaging 1006 ppb (which is quite acceptable for a lake of this type.) Algae populations, as estimated by the concentration of chlorophyll in the water, range from very low to fairly high and increase and decrease as nutrient levels increase and decrease. Chlorophyll levels range from 4 to 72 ppb and average 23 ppb (a moderate level.) Water clarity, as measured by the depth to which a standardized 'secchi disc can be seen when lowered into the water, declines as algae levels increase. Water clarity ranges from a low 1.5 feet to a very high (for a transition lake) 13 feet, averaging a healthy 5 feet. Water quality has fluctuated considerably since sampling began in 1991, though there is no discernable trend suggesting that water quality has changed in the last 10 years. Click here to view water quality data by year.
Historic aerial photo gallery 1944-2002
Lakewatch water quality data through 1999