There are over 3 million lakes in the U.S., and no two, in size or cleanliness, are alike. In 2010, according to Yahoo, the Environmental Protection Agency surveyed 50,000 lakes. Their results showed that nearly 20 percent of them had been impacted by chemical fertilizer runoffs. In simpler terms, chemical fertilizer entered this percentage of the lakes, causing algae growth and sludge buildup. As a result, lakes affected by chemicals start to smell bad and their fish populations are almost guaranteed to decrease.
Not all lakes are subject to this fate, though. A recent study by A-Z Animals found that Lake George, located in the Adirondacks, is the cleanest one in the country. With Lake George claiming first, others in the top 10 include one of the Great Lakes, Lake Michigan, and Hanging Lake in Glenwood Canyon, Colorado.
Yahoo has listed several factors that played a part in why Lake George has stayed so clean. Firstly, the lake is close to its water source, and, more importantly, this water enters the lake through mountain streams. According to The Nature Conservancy, mountains filter water naturally with soil, sand, and rocks. While this doesn’t make the water safe to drink, it does clear out materials that shouldn’t be there, making it clearer and cleaner than most other lakes. Besides this built-in filtration system, a large part of Lake George is surrounded by a protected forest and backed by the Adirondacks.
Named the “Queen of American Lakes”, Yahoo labeled Lake George as the American vacation’s birthplace. Including the popular Million Dollar Beach, this popular tourist attraction has a shoreline of over 100 miles. Across this long distance, the lake offers several resorts, campgrounds, and preserves.
Besides swimming in its clear water, Lake George is also a spot for several popular water sports, including kayaking, paddle boarding, and water skiing. With cruises and charter boats also available, locals and tourists have several ways to take advantage of everything Lake George offers during the summer.
So, if you’re looking for a good vacation spot this summer, consider Lake George! With its new status as the cleanest lake in the U.S. and many fun activities, the “Queen of American Lakes” surely can’t disappoint.
