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Five Clearest Lakes Around The World

17
  • 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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17 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
  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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  6. The Majestic Lake Winnipesaukee – Moultonborough says:
    September 23, 2022 at 1:07 AM

    […] that Lake Tahoe is lower in elevation, it is much larger. How big is Lake Okeechobee? What are the cleanest lakes in New […]

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  7. The Perfect Italian Lakeside Vacation – Neveazzurra says:
    September 26, 2022 at 1:48 AM

    […] Bolsena, Tuscany/Lazio is one of the cleanest lakes in Italy, making it an ideal place to swim, fish, or sail. As you walk around the lake, […]

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  11. The Great Bear Lake: The Largest Lake In North America – Twin Lights Light House says:
    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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    […] Lake, the state’s largest lake and one of the cleanest lakes in the country, is also the state’s largest lake. This lake, with over 40,000 acres to […]

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  13. Where In Florida Is There Crystal Blue Water | Cassadaga Hotel says:
    December 23, 2022 at 9:15 PM

    […] Coast. It’s easy to see why Fort Myers and the Emerald Coast are so popular. Which is the clearest lake in Florida? Dry Tortugas National Park, which covers 100 square miles, is teeming with life and a […]

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  14. A Weekend at The Beautiful Lake Angelus | New Zealand says:
    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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  15. Smith Lake: A Reservoir In North-central Alabama – Twin Lights Light House says:
    January 20, 2023 at 8:47 PM

    […] the cleanest lake in Alabama, Smith Lake is ranked first. Sipsey Fork Lake forms as a result of the Black Warrior […]

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