Lake Tarpon

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]

Lake Tarpon
Lake Tarpon Show map of Florida Lake Tarpon Show map of the United States
Location	Pinellas County, Florida
Coordinates	28.12°N 82.73°W / 28.12; -82.73
Catchment area	52 sq mi (130 km2)
Basin countries	United States
Surface area	2,500 acres (10 km2)

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]