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Five Clearest Lakes Around The World

19
  • by Daniel Kelly
  • — June 13, 2014
Blue Lake

Located in the top half of New Zealand’s South Island, Blue Lake is said to be the clearest lake in the world. Its waters are fed by another lake that sits above its height of 1,200 meters above sea level. Its underwater visibility is believed to extend to 76 meters (249.3 feet), which is comparable to the clearness of distilled water.

five clearest lakes / Blue lake New Zealand

Blue Lake. (Credit: Wikimedia Commons User Avenue via Creative Commons)

Lake McKenzie

Sand around this Australian lake is composed of white silica and its waters are so pure that conditions are unsuitable for many species. Lake McKenzie is a perched lake, sitting on Fraser Island near the country’s east coast.

five clearest lakes / Fraser Island lake mckenzie

Lake McKenzie. (Credit: Wikimedia Commons User Sensenmann)

Torch Lake

As Michigan’s longest inland lake, Torch Lake is also distinguished by its clear, blue waters. They are known to have a turquoise hue, and are noted as resembling caribbean waters. Much of the water’s appearance is connected to its lakebed, which is heavy in clay.

five clearest lakes / torch lake michigan

Torch Lake. (Credit: Flickr User David McSpadden via Creative Commons)

Crater Lake

Crater Lake is one of the most famous lakes in the United States and was formed after the collapse of a volcano thousands of years ago. It is the main attraction of Crater Lake National Park in Oregon, boasting a clarity near 150 feet.

five clearest lakes / Crater Lake winter pano

Crater Lake. (Credit: Wikimedia Commons User Wolfman SF)

Lake Tahoe

This large freshwater lake sits in the Sierra Nevada mountain range at an elevation of more than 6,000 feet. It is the biggest alpine lake in North America and a prominent tourist attraction. Recent Secchi disk monitoring finds its clarity reached 70 feet in 2013.

five clearest lakes / Lake Tahoe Boat

Lake Tahoe. (Credit: Mariana Wagner via Flickr)

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19 Comments

  1. Roman says:
    March 6, 2016 at 12:40 PM

    I don’t mean to bust your chops, but why is Lake Baikal not in this list?

    Reply
    • Mike Reese says:
      August 6, 2024 at 2:48 PM

      Because it’s in Russia and Putin allowed pollution from huge paper mills and things like that. Thousands and thousands of tons of sludge and other gross things go into that lake every year. A terrible algae has developed that wipes out populations of fish and wildlife. Wish Russia would take environmental concerns more seriously…

      Reply
  2. Ian says:
    September 28, 2017 at 6:15 PM

    Lake Superior’s underwater clarity increases every year, and is now at 100 feet in the good areas.

    Reply
  3. mrrz500 says:
    October 29, 2018 at 11:56 AM

    Superior’s avg is 24 feet

    Reply
  4. 15 lakes with the clearest water in the world - Travel Zoo Dubai says:
    January 2, 2022 at 9:53 AM

    […] Famous for its white-sand beaches and sapphire waters, Wineglass Bay locates in Freycinet National Park in Tasmania. Hiking, sailing, and fishing are particularly popular in the region. From the surrounding mountains, you can better appreciate the clarity of its waters. […]

    Reply
  5. Section 3: Nelson to Hanmer Springs – Te Araroa 2022 South Island Part 1 says:
    February 9, 2022 at 2:59 AM

    […] so we’re off again. We’ve decided against attempting the Waiau Pass route (we have walked up to Blue Lake, the clearest lake in the world, in the past) and will be walking through the Rainbow Road, […]

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    September 23, 2022 at 1:07 AM

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    November 21, 2022 at 12:34 AM

    […] summer when it only reaches 75 degrees outside. Big Bear Lake in southern California is one of the cleanest lakes in the state. In addition to the bacteria-free lake, we have a wastewater treatment plant that […]

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    December 23, 2022 at 9:15 PM

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    January 2, 2023 at 7:54 AM

    […] Lake Angelus is a side trip off the Travers-Sabine Circuit, a multi-day hike that covers the most beautiful sights in the national park, including the world’s clearest lake – the Blue Lake. […]

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