There aren’t too many natural bodies of water that can captivate the eye like the crystal clear water of a lake. Lakes are just one of the many parts of this planet that make it unique and beautiful. Although lakes are located all over the world, people often forget their stunning clear and pure waters. Here in the United States, there are hundreds of thousands of lakes, which can make it difficult to locate the few that stand out from the rest. These three lakes are undoubtedly the clearest and arguably most fascinating parts of the country.

1. Lake Tahoe, California
One of America’s biggest tourist attractions, Lake Tahoe sits between the border of California and Nevada. Glaciers during the Ice Age formed Lake Tahoe approximately two-million-years ago. At its peak, the depth of the lake reaches 1,645 feet, which is the second deepest in the country. During the summer months, the clarity of the water can be so pure that visibility of the lake can reach up to an astounding 70 feet. Lake Tahoe is one of the best destinations to visit for its year-round attractions. The summer months enable you to enjoy the lake. During the winter you can also take advantage of the ski season on the surrounding mountains.

© alohavictoria

2. Flathead Lake, Montana
Located in northwest Montana, Flathead Lake is one of the largest freshwater lakes in the country. Also formed during the Ice Age, this lake is referred to as the cleanest lake in the world. It earned this status because it is low in nutrients, thus preventing large amounts of algae. The lake measures in at 27-miles long and 15-miles wide. Among locals, Flathead Lake is also home to a monster rumored to resemble a large eel or whale, similar to the Loch Ness Monster.

© Rex Brown

3. Crater Lake, Oregon
The clarity of water in Crater Lake may just be a cut above the rest. What makes this lake have such fascinating quality is the lack of rivers or inlets connected to it. Crater Lake doesn’t have any connection to outside water sources, which results in almost no pollution within the lake. Measurements to test the visibility of the water show clarity of up to 170 feet, a truly remarkable aspect. With a depth of 1,949 feet, Crater Lake is the deepest in the Western Hemisphere. 7,000-years ago, a collapsed volcano caused a deep void that the lake fills today.

— — —

Cover photo © Powderruns