Explore the beauty and wonder of lakes with our blog category dedicated to all things lake-related. From lakefront living and recreational activities to conservation and preservation efforts, our articles cover a wide range of topics for those who love lakes and all they have to offer
Start with these lake guides
Use this lake hub to move from broad lake research into practical guides for clean water, lake science, trip planning, safety, and maintenance.
Reader goalRecommended guide
Find clear, scenic lakesclearest lakes in Michigan
Understand lake formationhow man-made lakes are created
Plan around water movementwhat causes whirlpools in water
Improve lake water qualityhow to get rid of lake weeds and muck
Popular lake planning guides
dog-friendly beaches in Lake Tahoe for beach access and pet-friendly trip planning.
things to do at Lake Wallenpaupack for activity ideas around a major Pennsylvania lake.
camping at Lake Jocassee for turning lake research into an overnight trip.
Lake safety and water-quality guides
blue-green algae in lakes for spotting bloom warnings and knowing when to stay out.
how to know if a lake is safe to swim in for checking advisories, weather, clarity, and hazards.
lake water clarity for understanding clear, green, brown, and blue lake water.
Use these source-first guides with current local notices and official managers.
Quick answer: A safer Great Lakes swim begins with the current beach notice, weather and hazard forecast, posted flags, water temperature, and the abilities of everyone in the group. Do …
Quick answer: Great Lakes water levels change with precipitation, runoff, evaporation, wind, seasonal patterns, and longer-term conditions. For an access decision, use the official dashboard for the specific lake, check …
Quick answer: Lake Superior is the deepest Great Lake by maximum depth. Depth and volume are different measurements, though, so a useful comparison keeps maximum depth, average depth, surface area, …
Quick answer: The Great Lakes are freshwater because their basin receives precipitation, runoff, groundwater, and tributary inflow rather than a direct ocean connection. Water leaves primarily through the St. Lawrence …
Quick answer: Lake Kachess conditions change with mountain weather and reservoir operations, so use seasonal climate normals only as planning context. The nearby high-elevation NOAA Stampede Pass station has 1991–2020 …
Quick answer: Recreation.gov lists a swimming area at Kachess Campground, so swimming is an official recreation use at the developed facility. Whether it is a good idea on a particular …
Lake color can hint at algae, sediment, tannins, depth, and light conditions, but it cannot prove whether water is safe for swimming.
A lake is safer for swimming when an official swim beach is open, current advisories are clear, the water looks and smells normal, and weather and waves are calm.
Blue-green algae can look like spilled paint, pea soup, scum, streaks, or mats. Here is how to recognize a possible bloom and what to do next.
Lake Lanier, nestled in the beautiful state of Georgia, has long been a subject of fascination and intrigue. The sprawling reservoir, covering parts of Hall, Forsyth, Dawson, Gwinnett, and Lumpkin …
Michigan, known as the Great Lakes State, is home to more than 11,000 inland lakes. Among these, there are some that stand out for their exceptional clarity. These Clearest Lakes …
If you’re yearning for a truly revitalizing and breathtaking swimming destination that immerses you in the sheer splendor of nature, look no further than the captivating Colchuck Lake in the …