Lake Tarpon

Lake in the state of Florida, United States

28°07′N 82°44′W / 28.12°N 82.73°W / 28.12; -82.73Catchment area52 sq mi (130 km²)Basin countriesUnited StatesSurface area2,500 acres (10 km²)

Lake Tarpon is a freshwater lake located about 10 miles (16 km) west of Tampa in Palm Harbor and Tarpon Springs, Florida. Lake Tarpon is the largest freshwater lake in Pinellas County with a surface area of 2,534 acres (10.25 km²).^[1] Its watershed encompasses 52 square miles (130 km²). Its two largest tributaries are South Creek and Brooker Creek.^[2] The lake is a regional recreational destination and is renowned for its largemouth bass fishing.^[1]

Although Lake Tarpon is designated as a fishing lake, it fails to meet the EPA's standards, and is therefore listed as an impaired lake due to its excessive nutrients and resulting low dissolved oxygen levels.^[3] The lake underwent increasing eutrophication during the 1990s, following a large algal bloom in 1987.^[4] Although initial studies determined that the lake was not polluted,^[5] studies in the following years noted a decline in the lake's water quality.^[6]

References

^ ^a ^b "Lake Tarpon | FWC". Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Archived from the original on 6 August 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
^ "Lake Tarpon Watershed". www.pinellascounty.org. Archived from the original on 18 June 2006.
^ "Lake Tarpon | Lake Details". www.Pinellas.WaterAtlas.usf.edu. Archived from the original on 25 July 2022.
^ Deitche, Scott M.; Hicks, Donald (January 2006). "Lake Tarpon Drainage Basin Management Plan Update" (PDF). Pinellas County Department of Environmental Management. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 May 2006. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
^ Landry, Sue (April 3, 1992). "Lake Tarpon not polluted, study shows". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on 25 July 2022. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
^ "Lake Tarpon SWIM Plan" (PDF). July 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 July 2022. Retrieved 25 July 2022.